Do you bring a healthy travel snack or two with you when you head out on the road? Adding some good healthy snack options can help prevent your health journey from derailing!
Summertime is here in the US, and that means it’s time to hit the road. This year more people are planning to get out of their homes and traveling than ever before. But day trips, vacations, and traveling can often be a nightmare when it comes to eating healthy. Vacation time usually means plenty of fast food and highly processed convenience foods. If you’ve been working to restore your health those foods can derail your plans and leave you feeling less than great!
And being at the mercy of fast and convenience foods can be even more of a challenge if you or someone in your family has a food sensitivity. The most common ingredients that contribute to food sensitivities are also the most common in highly processed food. And they are hard to avoid. This makes it difficult while eating out on the road!
When traveling by car, the thing that can help you to stay on track with healthy eating is to pack your own snacks. This allows you to choose foods that will work best for you and your family! We know that it can be a struggle to come up with healthy travel snack ideas. We wanted to share some ideas that can keep you from stopping at the gas station or drive-thru and picking out unhealthy snacks!
Simple healthy travel snack ideas
Fresh fruit
Summer is the perfect time for plenty of fresh fruit. Fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, and grapes are easy finger food. Cubing watermelon, pineapple, or cantaloupe and storing it in a nice airtight container in your cooler will make nice, sweet refreshing treats for warm summer travel.
Fresh vegetables
It is easy to cut up fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, radishes, and bell peppers for your next trip. Want something to dip your vegetables in?
Hummus
If you are bringing some fresh-cut vegetables or healthy crackers, then hummus is the perfect complement! This chickpea-based dip is high in protein and rich in fiber.
Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are easy snacks to bring when you are traveling. Pre-portion them in small, snack-sized bags for a simple grab-and-go snacking solution.
Hard boiled eggs
Packed with protein, pre-peeled hard-boiled eggs are a simple snack that can be easily stored in your cooler.
Cheese
For those who do not have dairy sensitivities, cubes of cheese are great snacks! If possible, opt for organic cheese that is free from artificial coloring and additives. Those who do have sensitivities.
Kale chips
Find a great organic store-bought version, or make a batch of homemade kale chips. You can make any flavor you’d like and they are portable too.
Homemade trail mix
Use your favorite nuts, seeds, sugar-free dried fruit, and perhaps a handful of dark chocolate chips.
Dehydrated fruit
If you regularly dehydrate fruit such as apples, berries, bananas, and pineapple, bring some of these along with you to eat as a snack. If you are going to look for store-bought dried fruit, opt for brands that have no added sugar. Be aware that dried fruits do contain more sugar than fresh fruit, so eat in moderation.
Popcorn
Make a batch of homemade popcorn, add the seasonings you want, and put it in a container to bring with you on the road.
Homemade crackers
Make a batch of homemade crackers to use with some nut butter, hummus, or even eat with cheese cubes. The beauty of making crackers yourself is that you can make them gluten-free, grain-free, or even Paleo, all to fit your needs.
Homemade Muffins
Muffins travel well, can be adapted for different food sensitivities and dietary needs. You don’t have to worry about what is in them because you are making them yourself. They can also be made well in advance and frozen. The sky is really the limit with what you can do with these!
Yogurt
There are plenty of healthy, low-sugar options available now. And so, bringing yogurt with you can be a great choice when you travel. With the great dairy-free brands available, this can be a great option for those with dairy sensitivity or allergies as well.
Jerky
Jerky is rich in protein and travels easily. And these days there are far healthier jerky brands at your local store. Find one that works best for you!
Vacation time doesn’t mean that your health also takes a holiday. A little planning will help you to have plenty of healthy snack options that are better for you and your family!
Have you gotten stuck on the road to rebuilding health? Working with one of our specially trained FDNthrive health detectives can help get you past that roadblock. Contact us today!
