There is nothing more spontaneous and fun than going on a road trip. Seriously, we are so lucky to have so many wonderful places right here in the U.S. to visit. While I can say that I have never been on a journey across the country in my car, I have in fact driven 8 hours across the Arizona dessert from Nevada. As desolate as it was, I wish that we had been better prepared with healthy eating options while crammed into that car. Here is a Green Diva-approved travel guide to save you from unnecessary unhealthy car munchies.
Be sure to have coolers, plastic baggies, utensils, napkins and and ice packs on hand, because the first thing you should do when planning a road trip is finalizing a grocery list.
Snacking
6 EASY healthy snacks for your next road trip . . .
1. Fresh fruit that is easily accessible. Apples, Bananas, Pears, Peaches, etc. Anything that can be grabbed and gobbled is a sure bet.
2. Trail Mix, unsalted – Find a natural, organic trail mix that has a good ratio of dried fruit and nuts. The occasional kind with dark chocolate will provide you with some natural anti-oxidants as well.
3. Homemade Granola – I will be making this for my fellow Green Divas to sample in the studio. This is a good option for breakfast, for a snack, or just on the go. It’s easily packable and can be mixed into yogurt too.
4. Cheese – Bring packages of string cheese, babybel cheese and yogurt in the coolers. This will provide calcium and help avoid those radioactive cheese puffs.
5. Freeze-dried fruit – A former roommate introduced me to this concept. Packages of snacks like this are very handy and can be stored just about anywhere.
6. Hard-Boiled eggs – Green Diva Mizar recommended packing hard-boiled eggs for a quick protein-packed pick-me-up. After you are done boiling them before the road trip, peel them, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place in a storable container.
Meals On-The-Go
While taking the time to go on a ‘walking-pit-stop’, it is important, do what you can to keep away from all of the unhealthy foods found at gas stations, rest stops and convenience stores. It’s best to stick to your own snacks, but when it comes time for meal times . . .
Pack a picnic! There is nothing easier than preparing some sandwiches and other picnic-y foods for the first couple legs of your trip for a lunch/dinner. Plus, it might be a nice alternative to sitting in a restaurant.
Find a healthy restaurant – it can be tricky to be able to find healthy foods. Think of choosing options that will provide your body with the necessary nutrients it needs to withstand those long hours sitting. You want foods that will give you lasting energy but not cause you to feel overly full.
Rules for eating healthy – Woman’s Day lists this great article titled Road Rules for Eating Healthy that lists the best menu options at some national chain restaurants.
Top 10 healthiest food chains – I have listed The healthiest chain restaurants according to health.com. The website also goes into depth about specific menu options that they recommend.
1. Panera Bread
2. Jason’s Deli
3. Au Bon Pain
4. Noodles and Company
5. Corner Bakery Cafe
6. Chipotle
7. Atlanta Bread
8. McDonalds (What? Really)
9. Einstein Bros. Bagels
10. Taco Del Mar
Now, you’re ready! Happy Trails and Happy Eating as you begin your grand adventure!