Nothing kills the fun of a road trip like a rumbling stomach. Pack a range of healthy snacks next time you hit the road and it will not only make the trip more enjoyable, you can also enjoy stopping for a break and a bite to eat in parks and picnic areas along the way.
This way you can see more along the way and make sure the whole family arrives at your destination well fed and ready to start their holiday.
If traveling with kids, get them to help you make the snacks at home. They will be more likely to eat things they have made themselves which means less temptation to stop at those fast-food chains along the route. Hand sanitiser or antibacterial wipes can also come in handy to avoid your fun being cut short by bugs and germs.
Fruit
You can’t go past fresh fruit for a road trip. Berries, bananas and apples are great on the road snacks, just keep a plastic bag handy for peels and cores. For a warm weather treat pick seedless grapes off the stalk and put them in the freezer overnight, they taste like little balls of sorbet except much healthier and are still delicious once they defrost.
Drinks
Staying hydrated is important, especially as the weather heats up outside so packing plenty of water for the trip is a good idea. Half fill and freeze water bottles the night before, then you can top them up with water before leaving to enjoy cold water throughout your drive. If plain water isn’t your thing, drop some lemon and lime wedges or cucumber slices in your water bottle for some added flavour. Juice boxes are also popular and convenient for drinking on the go. These can be frozen and popped in a cooler bag with other snacks to keep them cold too.
Trail Mix
Trail mix stores well in a sealed container and can be customised to you and your family’s tastes. You can include a combination of granola; nuts such as almonds, pistachios, cashew or peanuts; seeds like pepitas, sunflower or flax seeds; and dried fruit such as sultanas, apricots or cranberries. For something a little different try adding some coconut flakes, wasabi peas or cacao nibs.
Hummus
Hummus is a delicious snack and can be served with whole grain crackers or vegies such as carrot sticks, capsicum slices, snow peas or celery. You can purchase hummus in single servings or get a large tub and divide it into small containers for each person.
For something special you can try making your own hummus. Combine ¼ cup of tahini, ¼ cup lemon juice, 2 tbs olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove and a pinch of cumin and salt in a food processor until smooth. Drain and rinse a 450g can of chickpeas and add to the food processor and blend until smooth. For a thinner dip add a few tablespoons of water. Season with salt and pepper to taste and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Bliss Balls
You can make bliss balls and protein balls in just about any flavour you can imagine. They are a great bite sized snack and by including protein rich ingredients are a good way to enjoy a sweet treat and satisfy your appetite between meals.
For something zingy try lime and coconut. Combine ½ cup each of almonds and cashews in a food processor until finely chopped. Add 1 ½ cups of pitted dates and the juice and zest of 3 limes, then pulse until mixture clumps together. Shape into small balls and roll in coconut. Store in a sealed container in the fridge.
Beef Jerky
Beef Jerky is a great little protein hit which will satisfy your hunger for longer than sugary junk food. Health food shops and organic grocery stores often stock healthier versions with fewer ingredients and preservatives. Look for jerky that uses smoking or spices for flavour rather than high levels of salt.
Popcorn
Popcorn is not just a perfect movie snack, it is great to nibble while on holidays. If you choose to air pop your popcorn it is also quite healthy, so you can afford to be a little indulgent with your flavours for a special treat. Sprinkle popcorn with a little olive oil for a healthier alternative to butter and then try out some of these tempting toppings:
Mexican Chocolate – sprinkle popcorn with a teaspoon of cinnamon, a small pinch of cayenne and a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Nachos – combine a teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika and chili powder plus salt to taste, then toss through popcorn.
Apple pie – Slice dried apple into small pieces and mix through popcorn along with 2 tsp of cinnamon and a pinch of salt
Pack up your cooler with these great road trip snacks and head off for a getaway at one of Ingenia Holidays 36 gorgeous locations throughout Queensland and New South Wales.
