Traveling is stressful for everyone. Whether you’re riding solo or with your family, there are many factors to think about that can help you simplify your journey. Plan out your trip as much as possible beforehand – routes, stops, travel activities, and snacks – definitely don’t forget the snacks.
Healthy Travel Snacks for the Whole Family
If you’re looking for some snacks for your family, check out Clearspring they have a variety of healthy snacks for you to choose from. It’s easy to default to fast food restaurants and gas station goodies, but you can keep yourself and your family healthy by packing your own snacks. You’ll also save money and time making extra stops. Determine which snacks are best for your trip, then make a plan to stock up and pack up ahead of time so you have one less thing to worry about. Read on for great healthy travel snack ideas that are easy to pack and good for the whole family.
Proteins
Carbs are the last thing you need to fill up on while your travel. They weigh you down and can cause a severe energy crash. Fill up on proteins like string cheese, yogurt or hard-boiled eggs. For those of you flying, pack some roasted chickpeas, energy bars or cheese crackers. If you’re eyeing a bag of jerky at the airport book store, grab one – guilt free – because the protein will give you energy and fill you up.
For those of you with a sweet tooth, pack some mini graham crackers, dark chocolate or organic fruit snacks – all airplane friendly.
Fruits and Veggies
This is tricky because many fruits and veggies go bad quickly, so you’ll have to pick and choose, based on your trip and its length. Fruits and veggies are great for road trips, beach trips and really any trip that doesn’t involve air travel. Choose options that aren’t messy, like dried fruit, snap peas, baby carrots, squeezable applesauce or clementines. There are loads of other options like celery, apples and broccoli florets – the list goes on.
Spice it up a bit, and buy little cups of ranch, hummus or guacamole at the grocery store for dipping. You can even divvy dips up at home using small Tupperware. Make sure you store your fruits and veggies accordingly. For those that spoil easily, pack them into an ice chest or insulated lunch kit. No one likes spoiled fruits and veggies.
Not a fan of any of the above? Pack healthy smoothies loaded with fruits and veggies so you’re not eating them raw. You can also make individual salads in a jar with your favorite toppings and dressing. Make sure you put the dressing in first, at the bottom of the jar, so it doesn’t make your lettuce and toppings soggy or mushy. Once you’re ready to eat, pass them around the car, shake them up and enjoy. These make great mid-day snacks to keep your energy up.
For a refreshing snack to take with you during warmer months, pack some frozen grapes to satisfy any sweet tooth. They’re easy to eat in the car and will also help to quench your thirst.
Drinks
Don’t forget to stay hydrated during your travels, especially if you’re flying. High altitudes are more likely to cause headaches and dehydrate you. You can never have enough H2O, so while it may seem boring, it’s the best thing you can put into your body.
For long car trips, insulated water bottles will keep water colder longer. Don’t worry about increasing bathroom stops because the benefits of staying hydrated strongly outweigh the inconvenience of stopping. Water flushes out toxins, promotes healthy blood circulation and much more. If you want to shake it up a bit, all natural coconut juice is a good option, and you can give the kids low sugar juice boxes.
Cereal
High-fiber, low-sugar dry cereal is a great portable snack for kids. It isn’t messy, it has nutrients and will fill up your little one’s tummies. Take it to the next level, and make snacks fun by making O-cereal necklaces. Kids can wear them around their neck and munch when they want to.
It’s easy to also make a delicious trail mix out of dry cereal. Throw in some yogurt covered raisins and your nut of choice, then store. Trail mix is also great because the entire family can enjoy it, there are hundreds of variations and it’s easy to store.
Hummus
Not only is hummus loaded with vitamin B6, iron and folate, but it’s also very versatile. It makes a great dip for raw veggies and an excellent spread for sandwiches. Incorporate it into a fun snack idea like a pita pocket. Stuff small pitas with hummus and your choice of raw veggie. Try sliced cucumbers, carrots or tomatoes – maybe even add some black olives for taste.
There are so many ways you can fill your pita pocket, which makes this is simple and easy treat for almost anyone. Take the extra step towards a more healthy option, and go with whole wheat pita. Store these in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag so they stay fresh.
Healthy Travel Snacks for the Whole Family
Traveling doesn’t have to be a daunting task, especially when it comes to snacks that are healthy, energizing and tasty – even for the kids. With a little planning and experimentation, you can find great portable snacks your entire family can enjoy, whether in the car for long periods of time, on a beach trip or up in the air.
Use the tips above to get your creative juices flowing, and make your next trip full of fun and exciting healthy snacks for the whole family.
Kacey Bradley is the lifestyle and travel blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she frequently writes for sites like US Travel News, Thought Catalog, Porch, Tripping.com and more!
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