The days are heating up, school is almost out, and the sun is setting later and later in the day, which can only mean one thing; summer. So, as summertime approaches, families around the nation are packing up their cars and preparing for the great summer tradition of road tripping!
Road trips are great family travel experiences, with plenty of memorable experiences and sights to see, but like everything, road trips aren’t perfect. For example, during the long hours on the road, your food options can be pretty limited, and you can only eat so many gas station potato chips and mediocre fast-food meals.
To help you avoid the road trip food blues, we put together this list of some of the best road trip food you can find. From simple snacks you can pick up at the grocery store to some homemade concoctions that are sure to knock your socks off, we have something for everyone.
Let’s pack up and hit the road!
Simple Snacks
Contrary to popular belief, you can still eat tasty, nutritious food on the road! All it takes is a bit of planning and intelligent shopping before you head out. The snacks in this section are the quickest and easiest options for road trip food, without resorting to rest stop vending machines.
Fruits and Veggies
If you’re taking a quick drive or want to start your road trip snacking on the right foot, fresh fruits and veggies can be a great option! Fresh fruit can contain high amounts of water, fiber, and natural sugar, making for a great snack to keep you full and energized. Mix in a few sticks of celery or a handful of baby carrots, and you’ve got a great healthy snack combo.
Just remember to eat your produce sooner rather than later; it won’t stay fresh forever! However, if you are taking a long drive and still want those crunchy, crisp apples in the middle of the day, a cooler is a great option!
Nuts
As arguably the most versatile snack on this list, nuts should be near the top of your list of road trip essentials. You can buy packets of nuts at the store, jars of almond and peanut butter to go with your fruit, or mix various nuts together for a tasty trail mix! Full of healthy fats, protein, and fiber, nuts will make a great addition to your next road trip!
Hard-Boiled Eggs
This next snack can be somewhat hit or miss, but if you’re a fan of eggs, hard-boiled eggs are the way to go! Hard-boiled eggs have high levels of lean protein, which will help you fill up without a bunch of extra calories. Additionally, hard-boiled eggs tend to have fewer bacteria than their counterparts.
Similar to the fruits and veggies, make sure you keep your eggs in a cooler if you’re traveling a long distance.
For the Distinguished Palate
Simple snacks can be the best “quick-fix” solution for your road trip needs, but if you want to get a little fancier, these snacks might just make their way to the top of your list.
Hummus
If you’ve already picked up some fruit and nuts at the store, consider grabbing some hummus before you go. Made mostly from chickpeas, hummus is a fantastic source of antioxidants and protein, and it pairs well with plenty of foods! Try your hummus with some veggies, pita chips, or even your fingers; there’s no wrong way to eat it.
For the best road trip version, look for shelf-stable hummus, as it doesn’t need to be refrigerated and will last much longer
Homemade Bread
For the bakers out there, you might want to try your hand at a loaf of banana or zucchini bread before setting off on the road. These loaves of bread can vary on the scale of healthy foods, but if you bake them at home, there are plenty of healthy recipes for you to follow! So get baking for a fabulous quick breakfast or a midday snack that will leave you satisfied.
Family Favorites
If you’re traveling with kids, you know how hard it can be to find a snack to please everyone in the car. If your family isn’t a fan of the food on this list so far, try for some of these crowd-pleasers!
String Cheese
An all-time classic car food, string cheese is easy to pack and fun to eat, making it one of the best road trip snacks for kids! Not only that, but as long as you’re buying 100% mozzarella, cheese sticks are a superb source of protein. For entertainment and nutrition, cheese sticks can make the difference on a long road trip.
Protein Bars
Whether it’s the early morning, the middle of an eight-hour drive, or a late-night cruise, protein bars can power you through almost anything! For a sweet, gluten-free, keto-friendly protein bar, try our MCTbars! Not only do they provide the whole family with healthy protein, collagen, and fiber, they come in a variety of mouth-watering flavors naturally sweetened with monk fruit.
Don’t forget to pack some of our Lemon Boost bars for the morning and some Caramel Sea Salt bars for dessert! After a first aid kit and water bottles, protein bars should be the first item on your road trip packing list.
While we tried to cover as many bases as we could with this list, everyone has different tastes and preferences! Try some of these snacks, or use them as inspiration for your snacking lists, and head off on your favorite road trip well prepared.
MCTco
MCTco is dedicated to making healthy lifestyles more accessible for everyone, one step at a time. Made with almonds, MCT oil, and plenty of prebiotic fiber, our MCTbars can help you on your journey to healthy eating!
Try making one small change today, and check out our blog for more healthy eating tips and knowledge! Let’s make change transpire!