Healthy Road Trip Snacks

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Great company, an epic set of wheels, Google maps and stunning scenery are all essential for a road trip. Nothing beats hitting the road with a destination in mind but the freedom to stop anywhere along the way. Make sure the tank is full of gas and remember to keep yourself fueled up with plenty of healthy road trip snacks.

Combined with water, you need a good supply of healthy road trip snacks, so we've packed it all into an article for you. Just like your lunchbox, you will reach for when you are off the beaten track, you can find everything you need inside, including ideas for healthy candy and treats to satisfy your sweet tooth! So read on and take your time to digest it all before you set off on your next road trip!

We can break your healthy snacks into two sections. Non-perishable snacks that will last for days or weeks and fresh or processed food that is best eaten on the same day you buy it. Most road trips can allow you to have both.

Start by packing a supply of non-perishable snacks that you can keep in a bag in your trunk to dip into any time the hunger pangs hit. Here are some ideas:

No-perishable road trip snacks (non-refrigerated)

Crackers
Chips
Dried fruit or nuts
Energy bars
Dark chocolate (healthy in moderation)
Seeds
Popcorn
Jerky beef

Fresh healthy road trip snacks

Fresh food can be packed as you set out. It can also be purchased along the way as you need to stock up. Here are some examples:

Fresh fruit and vegetables
Hummus and dips
Sandwiches and wraps
Yogurt
Cheese
Dietary Fiber like almonds and other nuts (if you're not allergic), carrots, blue berries.

It can be hard to resist buying fast food or junk food when you stop for gas or at a town for sightseeing. But that pizza, fried chicken and ice cream are high in carbohydrates and calories and won't sit well in the coming hours of your trip. If you are heading into windy terrain or into areas with rough roads, it could be a recipe for disaster. The time for indulging is when you stop for the day to relax and hopefully book into some nice accommodation with a great restaurant or maybe room service.

How do you eat healthily on a road trip?

The key is to prepare in advance by packing a base supply before you depart and stocking up along the way. You also need some willpower not to buy unhealthy food at restaurants, shops, gas stations and diners. Of course, the odd treat is allowed. If you stop in a town that is famous for hotdogs or ice cream, you must try it for yourself. But in general, you can eat healthy on your road trip if that is your intention from the start. Packing your car with a variety of healthy options will definitely help you stay on track.

How can I eat healthy on a family road trip?

Any parent will tell you kids can be a little fussy when it comes to food and road trips are no different. Explain to your children that road trips are a fun time to eat healthy food, including their favorite snacks and some new flavors too. Talk to them about the importance of taking care of their nutrition and meals on the trip and how it can make them more energetic, and able to enjoy the ride! Ask them what they want to eat and pack their go-to favs.

Here are some inspirational ideas for family-friendly snacks that the parents and kids can munch on.

Healthy snacks ideas for a family road trip

Apple slices with nut butter
Hummus and cut-up vegetables
Yogurt bags with straws or fruit smoothies
Protein shakes (for adults)
Rice cakes with cheese slices
Oatmeal cookies
Roasted Chickpea Snacks

Of course, you also need to consider where you will eat your healthy snacks. It depends on your travel style, the ages of your family members and the time you have to reach your destination. Some snacks can be eaten in the back seat while the driver keeps their eyes on the road. Snacks like fruit and power bars aren't so messy. But for other snacks that can get messy such as anything runny or saucy, you might like to pull over to the side of the road. Picnic areas, viewpoints and the outskirts of towns are safe places to park up and enjoy some healthy snacks. You can have a drink, stretch your legs, throw away any garbage and hit the road again reenergized. Or perhaps the little ones will fall into a nap after eating.

How do you eat vegetables on a road trip?

You can pack a chilly bin or cooler to store vegetables in so they last longer. Cut some up, leave some whole, and spray them with water now and then. Keep a chopping board, knife and peelers so you can also quickly prepare fresh vegetables easily. Also, have some bottles of fresh water on hand if you want to wash the vegetables you buy along the way. Pro tip: Always have cash on hand to buy the freshest roadside vegetables or farmer's markets produce you discover during your road trip. Road trips can be an opportunity to indulge in a fresh and natural ingredients vacation!

Low-calorie snacks for road trips

It is easy to snack a lot on road trips. Everyone seems to get the munchies at different times and the snacks are within easy reach. Low calorie snacks are a must if you are prone to snacking all day long as the scenery rolls past in a beautiful blur of beautifulness. When it comes to healthy snacks for road trips, low-calorie ones are just as delicious as anything. There are plenty of healthy options to choose from, including:

Guacamole and low-fat tortilla chips
Cucumbers, bananas and berries
Greek yogurt with granola or fruit
Corn chips
Fruit or vegetable salads
Pasta salads
Trail mix

Road trip snacks for adults

Sometimes the adults might like something more sophisticated than organic crackers and fruit bites. Go for things like:

Exotic dips like hummus, pesto, salsa and baba ganoush. Also, take some travel-sized sauces to splash on your salads along with your healthy road trip non-refrigerated snacks that can be jazzed up with dips and sauces.

We hope this healthy road trip snacks article has sparked some ideas for what food to pack for your next road trip. So with your staples packed from the moment you set off and your list of fresh snacks to grab along the way, you are set for a healthy trip. Safe and healthy travels everyone!

About the Author

gina-4
Gina Smith is a professional freelance writer specializing in weddings, travel, health, beauty and photography. She has a degree in media communications, majoring in journalism and has worked in media monitoring, newspapers and magazines, photography, book publishing and wedding planning.