Long Car Trip With No Time For Healthy Meals--Help!

I think grocery stores are a great deal. I wouldn't try for variety - just figure out 2 -3 meals you won't mind having over and over that you could reasonably get at a gas station or grocery store - ie. hard boiled eggs, veggies, hummus, etc.

I just did this. And I do have to avoid gluten, so it was tricky. I found that most fast food places (McD's, Wendy's, Burger King) have salads. Yes, I got tired of salads... then we went to Wendy's and I got a baked potato (unloaded) and chili. Grocery store for fruits and veggies-in-a-bag type snacks, yogurt, and I recently learned that 7-11 has hard boiled eggs! Pack some packaged oatmeal for breakfast in your hotel (campground?)

I did this recently and didn't have too much trouble, I packed a cooler with a lot of fruit, lower fat cheeses, sandwich fixings, etc.

Also you can't get in much trouble most fast food places with a grilled chicken sandwich hold-the-mayo.

Pack the cooler. Stop to refill it at grocery stores, it won't take much longer than stopping at restaurants. Before you go, hard boil a dozen (or more) eggs to take with you. Get cheese sticks, yogurt, fruit, stuff for sandwiches. Look for the already washed and cut packs of carrots and celery in the produce section. If you have GPS, search ahead on your route for restaurants with salad buffets, most will let you fill takeout containers.

Starkist does single serve packets of tuna and maybe salmon - available in a variety of flavors - work well as part of a salad or sandwich (I'm GF, so do open faced on a tostada or a GF wrap). Importantly, they don't require refrigeration and aren't too bad on sodium. Beyond that - lots of healthy munchies - fruits and vegetable, air popped popcorn (make a bunch before you leave and package in "single serve" portions - probably about 4 cups per serving). You can also do "lettuce wraps", using lettuce leaves in place of tortillas and "fill" with meat, cheese, veg, etc. Hummus and celery or peanut butter and celery make a nice snack or lunch

I'm stuck on you only eating 1,000 calories a day.

I don't generally eat potatoes, no real nutritional value and far too many carbs for me--I'd rather get my carbs through vegetables and whole grains.

false:
Have you read the label lately?

One medium-size potato has just 110 calories and is absolutely fat-, sodium and cholesterol free, making them downright undeniable for any diet. The power of the potato doesn’t stop there.

POTASSIUM

Potatoes are a good source of potassium…more potassium than a banana.

One medium potato with skin provides 620 milligrams or 18% of the recommended daily value (DV) per serving. Potatoes rank highest for potassium content among the top 20 most frequently consumed raw vegetables and fruits. Potassium is a mineral that is part of every body cell. It helps regulate fluids and mineral balance in and out of cells and in doing so, helps maintain normal blood pressure. Potassium is also vital for transmitting nerve impulses or signals, and in helping muscles contract.

Potassium is a powerful dietary factor that may help lower blood pressure. Unfortunately, few Americans are getting the recommended 4700 milligrams per day of potassium they need. (Potatoes make it easier!)

VITAMIN C

Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C (45% of the DV), which is more vitamin C than one medium tomato (40% DV) or sweet potato (30% DV).

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant stabilizing free radicals, thus helping prevent cellular damage. It aids in collagen production; assists with iron absorption; and helps heal wounds and keep your gums healthy. Vitamin C may help support the body’s immune system.

FIBER

One medium potato with the skin contributes 2 grams of fiber or 8% of the daily value per serving.
Dietary fiber is a complex carbohydrate and is the part of the plant material that cannot be digested and absorbed in the bloodstream. Soluble fiber may help with weight loss as it makes you feel full longer, and research has shown it also may help lower blood cholesterol.

B6

Potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6 with one medium potato providing 10% of the recommended daily value.

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays important roles in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. It helps the body make nonessential amino acids needed to make various body proteins; it is a cofactor for several co-enzymes involved in energy metabolism; and is required for the synthesis of hemoglobin – an essential component of red blood cells.

IRON

One medium potato provides 6% of the recommended daily value of iron.

Iron is a major component of hemoglobin that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Iron also has a critical role within cells assisting in oxygen utilization, enzymatic systems, especially for neural development, and overall cell function everywhere in the body. Thus, iron deficiency affects all body functions, not only through anemia, which appears late in the process of tissue iron deficits.

I don't generally eat potatoes, no real nutritional value and far too many carbs for me--I'd rather get my carbs through vegetables and whole grains.

false:
Have you read the label lately?

One medium-size potato has just 110 calories and is absolutely fat-, sodium and cholesterol free, making them downright undeniable for any diet. The power of the potato doesn’t stop there.

While what you have mentioned here is all great, you didn't mention carbs, which is why she is avoiding them, especially if she is on a low carb eating plan.

oh it is an awesome vegetable, just not available to all eating plans.

;-)