Here are some tips for arriving at your destination with a happy tummy and the energy to enjoy the adventure.
Road trips are one of my favorite summer pass times. Can you relate to this? You’re finally all packed, in the car and on the road, looking forward to the adventure ahead. Somewhere within the first hour of travel, someone says, “I’m hungry, do we have anything to eat?”
If you are relying on travel plaza and gas station snacks to tide you over, you’re likely in trouble. While there are plenty of snacks, the over processed, poor quality fat, and excess sugar and salt options will zap your energy. Instead of thinking, “snacks,” think mini-meal. A good balance of complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats will leave you feeling satisfied. Pack plenty of fruits and vegetables and don’t forget the water. Those mini-meals can even stand in for a simple balanced meal until you arrive at your destination.
Pack an insulated cooler along with some cold packs to keep everything at a safe temperature zone.
- Protein
Depending on your dietary needs some easily portable options can include: dairy, coconut or cashew yogurt cups, skip the sugar and add in your own fruit, nut or seed butters; peanut butter, almond, hemp seed and sunflower of some of my favorites. Look for a good quality beef or turkey jerky made with grass-fed animal protein without additives. Primal Spirit Foods also makes a great vegan jerky. Cooked edamame in the pods, roasted chickpeas for a crunch, or small containers of hummus are great options as well.
- Fruit & Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables seem to be hard to get enough of when you’re traveling, so pack plenty of these. Fresh produce also helps to keep your body hydrated. Pack fruits and vegetables that are made for one person and don’t require any cutting such as mini carrots, mini peppers, cherry tomatoes, grapes, apples, small cucumbers, celery stalks, berries, bananas, green beans, plums, peaches, and sugar snap peas are some of my favorites and great ideas to stock your cooler with. Leaving the fruit or vegetable whole will also help it to stay fresher longer. Pack a small knife for larger items that you may want to cut up and share.
- Quality Fats
Many of the items under protein category also contain good quality fats, but here a few others I wanted to mention. A good source of fat will keep you feeling full longer. Chia seeds are about 80% fat, a great source of fiber and are very nutritious. Add a few tablespoons of chia seeds to your cup of yogurt or glass of water with a squeeze of lemon or lime for a refreshing pick-me-up. Avocados are portable — cut in half when you’re ready to eat and scoop the flesh out with a spoon. Toasted coconut flakes are tasty as is for a crunchy treat or added to your favorite trail mix with other seeds and nuts.
- Complex Carbohydrates
Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent choices for complex carbohydrates. Here are a few other options to think about: sprouted grain or grain-free crackers, flax crackers, homemade popcorn made with non-GMO corn, skip the poor-quality fat and sprinkle it with some seasoned salt, parmesan cheese or vegan parmesan. If you really want those corn tortilla chips or other crunchy snacks, buy them ahead of time and choose those with better quality ingredients such as non-GMO and organic.
Don’t forget water!
Keeping hydrated while traveling is super important. Often when the snack craving hits it’s your bodies need for hydration. Low energy and headachy feelings can often be eliminated by drinking water. Avoid sugary beverages and too much caffeine, even if it means a few extra stops along the way.
So hit the road as often as you can, enjoy the journey and feel great along the way. Happy summer adventures wherever they take you!