healthy road trip food ideas NEEDED!

Cheri_Moves
Cheri_Moves Posts: 625 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So, I am going on a road trip with my family in a few days and vacationing for a week (family reunion). I have ZERO desire to eat at fast food joints or eat CRAP along the way. I am going to try hard to eat "healthy" while on vaca as well...

I am competing in my first triathlon in just over two weeks and I want to do everything I can to avoid sabotaging myself this close to the race! I have trained hard and have focused too much energy to screw up now.

Please... What are some easy, healthy road trip snacks and meals?! I would just like some ideas.

Thanks!!! :drinker:

Replies

  • HeavyLiftGirl
    HeavyLiftGirl Posts: 1,267 Member
    Snacks- Trail mix, almonds, dried fruit.
    Meals- Breakfast: Special K Bar, Lunch: Whole wheat turkey sandwich with tons of veggies (pack in ice in baggie).
  • julieh391
    julieh391 Posts: 683 Member
    Sandwiches on sandwich thins of Flatout Foldits
    Laughing cow cheese (wedges with veggies/crackers or mini babybel)
    Prepackaged/pre-measured trail mix or nuts
    Fruit
    Pre-cut veggies with low cal dip if you're a dipper
    Yogurt/Greek yogurt
    Popcorn
    Rice cakes or something similar
    Cottage cheese

    On vacation just watch portions. Order baked or grilled proteins and steamed veggies. Light dressing on salads or vinegar. Split dessert if you want a treat.

    You've got this. There's no way you've lost so much weight without knowing what you're doing already. I'm sure I'm only stating things you already know. Have fun!
  • Reana27
    Reana27 Posts: 43 Member
    I used to travel a lot for work and I would make my own trail mix (with nuts and dried fruit) and pack sandwiches. I would also buy some 100 calorie packs. I know they are not the most nutritious thing in the world, but they are better than eating a bag of chips or a candy bar if I got the craving. I also take crystal light packets to mix in with my water when I want something sweet.
  • Amy_Lynn74
    Amy_Lynn74 Posts: 134 Member
    Lots of fruit and veggie, trail mix, cheese sticks, crackers and laughing cow cheese, nuts, peanut butter sandwiches...just a few ideas. Good luck and have a fun trip.
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member
    Snacks, beef jerky, nuts/ seeds, trail mix, if you can fresh veggies and some dip.... If you have to eat out, shoot for veggies and meat, salads and soups...
  • Cheri_Moves
    Cheri_Moves Posts: 625 Member
    Sandwiches on sandwich thins of Flatout Foldits
    Laughing cow cheese (wedges with veggies/crackers or mini babybel)
    Prepackaged/pre-measured trail mix or nuts
    Fruit
    Pre-cut veggies with low cal dip if you're a dipper
    Yogurt/Greek yogurt
    Popcorn
    Rice cakes or something similar
    Cottage cheese

    On vacation just watch portions. Order baked or grilled proteins and steamed veggies. Light dressing on salads or vinegar. Split dessert if you want a treat.

    You've got this. There's no way you've lost so much weight without knowing what you're doing already. I'm sure I'm only stating things you already know. Have fun!

    Thanks! I have most of these things, but I am hoping for some new ideas! I am bad at "being good" away from home... Also hoping for some encouragement in this area as well :wink: I need to be good this time, if ONLY this time! lol
  • looseal
    looseal Posts: 27 Member
    Would help to know the type of diet/food you eat.

    As a low carber who also counts calories my travel food includes:
    hard boiled eggs
    turkey pepperoni
    small can tuna with packets of mayonnaise - don't forget plastic forks
    cut up raw veggies but no dip
    jello snack cups - don't forget the plastic spoons
    unsalted nuts but not too many as they are high calorie
    diet soda
    bottled water
  • loisann221
    loisann221 Posts: 12
    When I have to drive long distances for work I throw a bunch of pomegranate seeds in a empty water bottle. You can shake them into your mouth that way without all the mess. For me, quantity is key for driving snacks since I use them to keep me awake. Pomegranate seeds are the best I've found in terms of low fat, low sodium. Since it's fruit/juice they're not low in sugar, but it's natural sugars so I'm cool with it. Now you can buy the seeds (rather than the whole fruit) at some grocery stores- more expensive and not always as fresh, but a time saver.
  • Cheri_Moves
    Cheri_Moves Posts: 625 Member
    When I have to drive long distances for work I throw a bunch of pomegranate seeds in a empty water bottle. You can shake them into your mouth that way without all the mess. For me, quantity is key for driving snacks since I use them to keep me awake. Pomegranate seeds are the best I've found in terms of low fat, low sodium. Since it's fruit/juice they're not low in sugar, but it's natural sugars so I'm cool with it. Now you can buy the seeds (rather than the whole fruit) at some grocery stores- more expensive and not always as fresh, but a time saver.

    hmmm, this is a fantastic idea! But Ive never seen them in stores. I will have to look before I leave! Thanks!
  • alanabeehave
    alanabeehave Posts: 65
    I love Pirate Booty cheesies and Indiana popcorn (sweet and salty) I think you can either or at whole foods. Both low cal for a decent portion.
  • BobbyLx
    BobbyLx Posts: 13 Member
    When I go on a trip I get meals from a grocery store, like Publix, instead of the fast food places. With their ready made foods and fruits and vegetables you can get very health meals and eat them in the car.
  • SpazzyMal
    SpazzyMal Posts: 276 Member
    I was recently on a car trip and I made due with lots and lots of fruit, carrots, peanut butter (great for dipping apples in!), hummus (great for sandwiches and dipping veggies), nuts, and some sandwiches. It was probably a bit more carb-heavy than I would have liked, but it was still pretty light and didn't leave me feeling weighed down and sluggish, since a lot of it was fruit and veg.
  • Four_Leaf_Clover
    Four_Leaf_Clover Posts: 332 Member
    Fresh fruit and veggies (our favorite car snack is sliced apples - you can dip them in lemon juice to keep them from browning) - crunchy, sweet, and doesn't make you thirsty! Cucumber slices, carrots, red pepper strips - all would be tasty (you could bring hummus to dip). Almonds, your favorite granola bar or protein bar, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, canned tuna or chicken (can mix with plain yogurt and seasoning and spread on whole grain crackers).

    I certainly do not advocate for fast food, but I do find myself there from time to time and there are some decent choices (sodium levels aside) esp at Wendy's. A small chili over their side garden salad (no croutons or dressing) is tasty and quite high in proten and fiber. The ultimate chicken grill sandwhich (no sauce) - can be taken off the bun and cut up over the salad. Add a bottle of water or a large iced tea (unsweet) and its not a bad FF meal on the road.
  • srathfelder
    srathfelder Posts: 28
    You can buy individual cups of cottage cheese that are great with both fruit and veggies. Those sandwich slims are great for a quick sandwich and take up less room than a loaf of bread, I like the orowheat ones the best.

    Have a great trip!
  • anna0478
    anna0478 Posts: 505 Member
    Air popped popcorn
  • katglaze
    katglaze Posts: 45 Member
    Just came back from vacation. I saw on stay for dinner that she starts with a salad, I did that a lot and it helped slow me down, and get in veggies on the road. Just know you are going to eat but do a lot of fun exercise, like fun shopping walking. I ate a lot but only gained a couple of pounds. I swam a lot, and walked hours.
  • annokoye
    annokoye Posts: 125 Member
    Hey Cheri,

    So, these are a few ideas from the menu my trainer gave to me and some of them are things I came up with on my own.

    I normally purchase the Emerald natural Almonds miniature packs. I believe there are about 10 in a box and they are 100 calories.
    A nice tart refreshing desert: Greek yogurt, 2% cottage cheese 1/4 or 1/2 cup. You can normally have 24 chips--Tostitos bite size with 2 tbls or 4 tbls of Pace Medium Salsa. I also like half of a cucumber [sliced]-great low calorie snack. If you want ranch dressing with them only take 1 tbls because it is high in calories. Wheat bread and Jiff Reduced fat Peanut butter 2 tbls. Miniature “Cinnamon Apple Rice Cakes” for something sweet [1 serving will be 13 rice cakes]. Other great quick snacks are cherries, baby carrots, kiwi, bananas. A nice salad on the go, you can use [baby spinach, shredded cheese, baby tomatoes, and Italian dressing]. Fresh celery with ranch dressing is also good. However remember it is imperative to measure the dressing.
    These are just a few. I hope they come in handy.

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