Are you heading out on that National Park road trip soon? Let’s talk about healthy snacks!
Take the time to pack a good amount of snacks before you leave so that you can reach for them easily without stopping. This helps you avoid all those unhealthy gas station foods and gives you options to control excess fat and sugar.
Here are six healthy snack ideas that are quick and easy to pack for a National Park road trip.
Fruits and Vegetables
A simple way to have healthy snacks on your road trip is to pack fruits and vegetables. Most produce can be left out of the refrigerator for short periods of time. It might not last the entire week-long road trip, but you should be good for the first couple of days.
Consider traveling with a small cooler and get more ice to add to it every time you go to the gas station or convenience store. Choose items like carrot sticks, bell pepper slices, broccoli, bananas, cherry tomatoes, and apples.
Whole Grain Cereal
There are cereal cups at many gas stations and convenience stores that are perfect for a snack! Just find a few cereal cups that contain whole-grain cereal, instead of sugary cereal, then put them in the car. Since it is a snack, you don’t need any milk. These are easy to place in the cup holder and grab a few pieces as needed while you drive.
Squeezable Applesauce or Yogurt
This may seem like something only kids eat, but it is so convenient! Yes, it might not be quite as fresh and organic as you want, but it is certainly better for you than cookies, chips, or a candy bar.
Check the health aisle for the applesauce, since there are some organic brands selling healthier versions. The squeezable yogurt will probably be near the kid’s yogurts and do not require refrigeration. You will be glad you thought of it.
Protein Bars
An easy thing to bring with you in the car is a box of protein bars. You can get them at the grocery store, health food store, or your neighborhood convenience store. Some of them do have quite a bit of sugar, so check the labels carefully when choosing the right ones. There are also some cereal bars that contain whole-grain cereal but in a convenient bar form.
High-Protein Snacks
Aside from protein bars, there are some other easy snacks for road trips that keep you energized and full. For example, try a bag of jerky, looking for a brand without a lot of additives. If you have a food dehydrator at home, you can even make it yourself. Some other options include packing your own baggies of nuts and seeds, roasted chickpeas, cheese sticks, or hard-boiled eggs.
Trail Mix or Granola Mix
Both of these options are super easy to make yourself so you have full control over their contents. Try to bring as many snacks as possible that you can eat while driving, not just as a passenger. Make your trail mix or granola mix with granola, dried fruit, nuts, and seeds, and you’re ready to go!
You can avoid all those unhealthy gas station foods on your next road trip when you pack an assortment of healthy snacks from this list. You'll save time, money, and maybe even upset tummy's!