I love traveling, but I don’t love how it disrupts my family’s eating routine. When it comes to eating healthy snacks while on the road, I found a few tips that help me stay relaxed and enjoy myself whenever my family and I travel. What are your favourite tips? Please share!
1. Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is my favourite tip as I am a big planner. I even make lists for my lists. Lol
A few days before our trip, I sit down and plan out all the snacks for my hungry bunch. Then, I pack the room temperature-friendly goodies the day before and keep the fridge-bound snacks, well, in the fridge. Come morning, we toss them into a cooler with ice packs, ready to roll.
2. Finger Foods
Finger foods are perfect to eat in the car. These are some of my family’s favourite healthy choices that keep our energy balanced with protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats.
- hummus with veggies such as carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber rounds, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, snap peas, radishes
- nuts such as walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, cashews or almonds
- fresh fruit such as grapes, berries, bananas, cherries or apples
- dried fruit such as prunes, raisins, dried apricots, figs or mangos
- trail mix made with nuts, dried fruit and seeds
- crackers
- rice cakes
- granola bars
- muffins
- hard-boiled eggs
- beef jerky
- seaweed snacks
- energy bites – these are some of my family’s favourites
- popcorn
- homemade veggie chips
- roasted chickpeas
- edamame
- sandwiches and wraps
Remember to wash fruits and veggies thoroughly before packing and use a small cooler bag to keep them fresh.
3. Non-Finger Foods
Don’t avoid foods that are a bit more complex to eat. If you can stop in a quiet and picturesque spot during your journey, enjoy a picnic with these foods. These two foods are my favourite nourishing and delicious choices for travelling. Feel free to add yours!
- Greek yogurt mixed with hemps seeds and berries, packed in small containers (and small spoons)
- A big batch of quinoa salad made with love the day before the trip and divided into small containers (don’t forget the forks). Not only do we enjoy it during our break at a playground – for the kids to stretch their legs – but we also savour it for lunch the next day at our destination. Truly a two-for-one deal!
4. Stay Hydrated
While snacking is important, it’s equally important to stay hydrated while traveling. Dehydration can turn even the sunniest disposition into a cranky and irritable mess. My family and I always pack many reusable water bottles, as well as a thermos with green tea for me and one with black coffee for my husband.
5. Practice Mindful Eating
Mindful eating involves paying attention to the present moment and fully engaging with your food. When snacking while traveling, take the time to savor each bite, chew slowly and appreciate the flavors and textures. By eating mindfully, you also tune into your body’s hunger and fullness cues, helping you avoid overeating.
When I snack while traveling, I try to practice mindful eating. It’s all about being present and fully enjoying the food in front of me. I take the time to savor each bite, chewing slowly and really appreciating the flavors and textures. It’s not just about filling my stomach; it’s about truly experiencing the joy of eating. Plus, when I eat mindfully, I become more aware of my body’s hunger and fullness signals, which helps me avoid overeating and feeling uncomfortably stuffed.
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Maintaining a healthy snacking routine while traveling is entirely possible with a little planning and mindful choices. Healthy snacking while traveling not only makes the journey more pleasurable, but also ensures we arrive at the destination feeling refreshed and nourished.
What are YOUR tips for staying healthy while traveling?
