Non perishable food/snack ideas?

Francl27

I'm going to NYC for Comic Con on Saturday and Sunday (I'll go home in between to restock), and I'm looking for ideas of what kind of food to bring with me. I'll probably leave the house around 8am and come back late (8-9pm?).

I'm planning to eat a big breakfast before I go, but I'll probably have to eat there the rest of the time (guessing I'll grab something on the way to the train station for dinner). I'll be walking quite a bit, and sitting/standing in line quite a bit as well... I'm guessing it will be pretty hot inside with all those people, so I really need non perishable/easy to eat food.

Suggestions? I'm not too fond of nuts, which isn't helping. Quest bars are on my list, other than that, I'm drawing a blank (I have some clementines, not too fond of apples but I guess I can grab one just in case). I'd rather not have to stand in line for 30 minutes for some overpriced junk food.

Lizzy622

Jerky - beef or turkey

magerum

Pop tarts

sepulchura

Beef (or other meat) Jerky
Dried fruit

learnerdriver

airpopped popcorn

FluffyKangaroo

Popcorn or low-salt pretzels are a good alternative to nuts and are relatively low in fat plus will fill you up
And you could maybe even try taking some dry cereal in a container if you're into that , it's great to snack on!

Francl27

Ok dumb question but where do you buy beef jerky?

Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep them coming... I'll probably go shopping tomorrow.

acpgee

In the UK, convenience stores often carry beef jerky. Major supermarkets as well. It's pretty easy to make yourself too.

http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-beef-jerky-42272

I normally skip the step with pounding the meat. Just slice thinly, marinate for a few hours and then dry the meat at the lowest setting of a fan oven for 4 hours. Spread the meat out in a single layer on baking sheet and turn halfway. If you have an asian grocer, buy bulgogi beef which is pre-sliced very thin.

Most picnic food should keep for 12 hours at room temperature. Rye crackers, salami, cooked eggs (hard boiled or spanish tortilla), fruit (grapes, pears, mandarins), cherry tomatoes, hummous and carrot sticks.

SummerLovesPhil

Clif or Larabars would be my suggestion. Have fun at Comic Con! We had a great time in Salt Lake.

jenilla1

Ok dumb question but where do you buy beef jerky?

Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep them coming... I'll probably go shopping tomorrow.

Most stores have it. I am lucky enough to have a husband who makes his own jerky for when we go backpacking. It's amazing! Tastes just like steak! Store bought jerky is truly inferior, but it's a good non-perishable option if you can't make your own.

I was gonna say trail mix (that's my snack favorite) but you already said you don't like nuts. I make my own mix with different kinds of nuts, seeds, dried fruits and some dark chocolate chunks. :drinker:

Francl27

Any tip on where in the store exactly to look for beef jerky? I'm just clueless!

I guess I could steal one of my kids' lunchboxes and use an ice pack and just bring whatever. I'll think about it, lol.

acpgee

Actually I think people are often overly squeamish about food spoilage. I just got back from vacation in the Dominican Republic. One morning we bought some crackers and velveeta factory cheese slices because we would be leaving so early in the morning for a snorkelling excursion that we would have to miss the hotel breakfast. Three days later, on a travel day, we were very hungry while on a dirt road on the back of a pick up truck. The cheese, which had not been refrigerated for 3 days in the tropics(!), was thankfully still edible.

TigerBite

Mini Babybel cheeses ... They keep for an entire day w/o refrigeration; I keep them in my purse ... OLIVE brand olive snack packs (Google it) ...

ETA: Bananas. hard cheeses (i.e. parmigiano reggiano, pecorino Romano, etc)

TigerBite

Actually I think people are often overly squeamish about food spoilage. I just got back from vacation in the Dominican Republic. One morning we bought some crackers and velveeta factory cheese slices because we would be leaving so early in the morning for a snorkelling excursion that we would have to miss the hotel breakfast. Three days later, on a travel day, we were very hungry while on a dirt road on the back of a pick up truck. The cheese, which had not been refrigerated for 3 days in the tropics(!), was thankfully still edible.

True, most people don't need to be concerned ... Only the very young and very old, and the immunocompromised ...

lambchristie

Snack food isle of your local grocery store, Target, Wal-Mart type stores, and yes even the gas station stores.

endoftheside

I think your idea about the insulated lunchbox is a good one and that's what I would go with if you are going to be carrying a backpack anyway (are you?). Then you could bring yogurt, hardboiled eggs, lunchmeat, cut up veggies, cheese, fruit, etc. No nuts is tough...what about seeds? You could make a trail mix with dried fruit, chocolate, and pumpkin & sunflower seeds.

1two3four

Mini Babybel cheeses ... They keep for an entire day w/o refrigeration; I keep them in my purse ...

Glad I am not the only one that does this! I kind of prefer my Babybel to sit out for a bit before I eat it. I wouldn't let it out for more than a few hours if it's hot though. But that's me.

Something else I like to keep in my purse, a fruit strip from Target. They come in Strawberry, Apricot, Pomegranate and Wild Berry (my fave). They used to be by Archer Farms but Target recently re-branded them to be called "Simply Balanced" they're currently on sale 25 strips (45 cal, 1 g fiber) for $4.99. Or you can just do dried fruit.

ETA:

Something else to think about -- the first thing you eat could technically be perishable -- as long as you are eating it within two hours you're fine. Also, freezing it before hand (like yogurt) would give you more time than the two hours.