Plan Ahead for Healthy Road Trip Snacks and Meals

One thing to keep in mind is to keep yourself hydrated. Bottles of water are inexpensive and can be refilled easily when you stop for gas or rests. On the other side of the coin you ll probably be walking a thin line between drinking enough water and the need for extra stops! Just find what works best for you.

I ll usually pack one cooler and one bag for non-refrigerated snacks. It s also a good idea to throw in some napkins, wet wipes, plastic utensils, and a couple empty plastic shopping bags to use for trash.

Here are my very favorite healthy road foods:

• Cleaned and sliced raw vegetables; grape or cherry tomatoes
• Apples, oranges, bananas, grapes
• Snack size dried fruit (such as raisins)
• String cheese
• Yogurts in a tube
• Pretzels
• Roasted soy nuts
• Baked, flavored rice or popcorn cakes
• Sugar free jello cups / fat-free pudding cups (with plastic spoons)
• Reduced fat cookies/crackers
• Fruit juice boxes; mini cans of low-sodium V8 juice
• Whole wheat bagels with light cream cheese (bring a plastic knife; slice bagels before leaving)
• Sandwiches made with lean luncheon meats and lowfat cheese or hummus and fresh spinach

There are so many great choices that my biggest challenge is not bringing too much food! Just keep in mind, that even if you re driving all day, you probably only need the same number of snacks as you normally would eat, as long as you re going to eat regular meals, too. Pack up and enjoy!

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Health-E-Meals.com, 2003