Good snacks are the cornerstone of any road trip. Not only do they keep the people riding in the car satiated during the drive, but they also make it so you don’t have to stop for food. At the same time, many people think road trips are synonymous with unhealthy eating. From chips and jerky to fast food meals and sodas, a road trip can be quite unhealthy. This article aims to correct that course and provide you with nutritious and delicious snacks for road trips.
Rather than resorting to packaged snacks that have tons of preservatives, sodium, and artificial sweeteners, choose snacks that have protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs. Eating poorly and irregularly while sitting for hours in the car can lead to several digestive issues, including bloating and constipation. That makes snacking on healthy foods all that more important. Below, you’ll find some of the healthiest snacks to pack for your road trip. Keep in mind that you may also be able to use these snacks for plane travel. Let us know if you already use these snacks and which ones you think you may use the most.
Dried Fruit
Before we endorse dried fruit as a healthy snack, there is a disclaimer we have to make. Dried fruit can be healthy if you choose the right varieties. Choose dried fruit that is free of preservatives (like sulfur dioxide) and added sugars. Dried mangos, apricots, figs, dates, raisins, cranberries, apples, and more are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, dried fruit contains natural sugars, so you won’t crave unhealthy sweet treats.
Energy Bites
If you are familiar with our website, then you know we love to share energy bite recipes. You peruse our snack section for those bite recipes by clicking here. Energy bites, though they are small, pack a nutritional and filling punch. They are calorically dense, so you make sure that you only eat one or two at a time. They typically contain nuts, dried fruit, cacao powder, nut butter, dates, or similar ingredients. Make sure to freeze them before you leave and keep them in a cooler so they remain firm.
Roasted Chickpeas
Chickpeas are excellent sources of protein, magnesium, fiber, folate, and zinc. You don’t necessarily want to open a can of chickpeas and dive in with a spoon, though. That’s why roasted chickpeas make for the perfect on-the-go snack. You can coat them in about any seasoning blend because chickpeas easily take on flavors. Click here for a great recipe for chickpea snacks.
Grapes
This fruit comes jam-packed with lots of nutrients, and they are easy to take on the go. Not only are grapes filling, but they also contain lots of vitamin C, antioxidants, and resveratrol, which helps to protect the heart and may even ward off cancer. Grapes are also rich in potassium, which works to reduce sodium levels to help lower blood pressure.
Hummus And Vegetable Sticks
Slice up some celery, carrots, and bell peppers before you hit the road and pack them in containers. Store your hummus in a separate container, or simply purchase hummus from the store and keep it in that container. If you have a long trip and need energy, the combination of these veggies and hummus provides lots of protein and fiber. The only thing to keep in mind about hummus from the store is that it can contain lots of sodium. Just remember to read the labels when selecting your hummus.
Fresh Fruit And Nut Butter
When you’re driving on the open road, you need high-fiber, protein-rich snacks to keep energy levels high. You also need to keep bowel movements regular, which can be difficult during the inactivity of a road trip. Fruits like strawberries, bananas, and apples go great with protein-rich nut butters like almond butter or peanut butter. Some nut butters are even sold in single-serve pouches, which are perfect for road trips.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
