Eating healthy at home can be challenging enough most days. It is so easy to throw out those healthy habits you have developed when you start traveling for vacations. Here are 10 tips for Eating Healthy Lunches on the Go to help you maintain your healthy eating. All you need is a plan and the right containers.
1. Bring a cooler with ice packs to store containers of vegetables and fruit. These healthy options will keep you from picking up a candy bar when you stop for gas.
2. Pack plenty of water. You will need to stay hydrated when you are traveling. You could bring some flavor packets to add to the water if you want something different. One benefit of only bringing water is that your children will not drink it as fast as juice. This means less pit stops to slow down your travel time. Plus, water doesn't stain when it is spilled.
3. Containers with string cheese, hard boiled eggs, and hummus provide great protein snacks to eat with those vegetables in your cooler.
4. Crackers, pretzels, chips, and peanuts are a good snack for in between meals. Look for baked options which have a lower fat content. You do need to watch the size of your portions, so you aren't eating mindless calories.
5. Sandwiches can be made ahead of time on wheat bread and wrapped in plastic wrap. I just lay out a piece of plastic wrap on the counter and make the sandwich right on top. Fold the wrap around the finished sandwich and move on to the next one. It is so easy to make a few different sandwiches for my picky eaters to enjoy on car rides.
Make sure to label each sandwich with a sharpie, so you know right away what is on each one. Also, keep them on top of the containers in the cooler. No one likes to eat smashed or soggy sandwiches.
6. Take time to stop when it is time to eat lunch. Find a rest stop with a bathroom and a large grassy area for your kids to run off that extra energy they have from sitting all day.
Pull out all the containers of vegetables and cheese for extra sides with those sandwiches.
7. Pack a bag with plates, small containers, forks, knives, and napkins. The small containers are great for portioning out nuts or trail mix in the car. You will want the plates and napkins when you stop for lunch at a rest stop. Wet wipes are another good thing to have in that bag for sticky fingers and mouths.
8. Salads are a great healthy on-the-go option. You can pre-make your salad before you leave using small plastic containers. The small condiment cup in the middle holds just enough dressing and keeps your salad from getting soggy. Eating healthy can be fast and easy if you think ahead.
9. Make your own granola bars to have on hand for quick breakfast options or for when traffic delays have you stopped for a while.
10. Stop eating when you are full. Listen to your stomach. It is no fun to be traveling in a vehicle with an upset stomach. Watch how many snacks your children are eating too. It is easy to just eat mindlessly when there is nothing else to do in the car.
Packing healthy lunches and snacks for traveling can be quite easy if you are prepared. A week before traveling, start a list of healthy snacks that your family likes to eat.
Make sure to buy the right containers and plastic wrap to pack each food in for the drive. You will not have the same eating schedules when traveling, so keep that in mind when buying those lunch items.
Packing healthy snacks to eat in the car keeps your metabolism running right until you get to your destination.
Recipe
No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars
No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars are more fun with chocolate chips and peanut butter cups.
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick oats
- 1 cup rice krispie cereal
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped miniature Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Instructions
- Butter a 9x13 pan.
- Combine the oats and cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a large saucepan add the coconut oil, honey, and sugar. Stir over medium heat until melted.
- Bring to a boil and lower temperature. Simmer for two minutes.
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until melted.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats and cereal. Stir until thoroughly coated.
- Let cool for a few minutes before stirring in the chocolate chips and peanut butter cups.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan using a sheet of parchment paper. Let cool before cutting into bars.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 218Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 103mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 2gSugar: 17gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
jordan
These sound so good and simple. 2 questions. II noticed in some of your recipes you use coconut oil. Is there a specific reason why? Is there a good substitute? Coconut oil is kind of pricey my way.... just curious. Thanks!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Coconut oil is better for you, so I try to substitute it whenever I can. You can also use the same amount of butter in place of the coconut oil, and the bars will be the same.
Karen
great tips! Please share the nutritional value & calorie count for those yummy granola bars.
Carrie
Am going right in to the kitchen and try those granola bars!! Sounds yummy!
Carrie
Becky
Your PB Granola bars are fantastic, with few ingredients, and healthy, too. Thanks for sharing!
Regina @ SpecialtyCakeCreations
I totally had to convert my husband on travel food. He always used to say, I will just stop and buy something when I am hungry. But once we were in the middle of no where in the Rocky Mountains he gladly has the sandwiches I made ahead 🙂
And your no bake granola bars sound soo awesome too!
Rebecca from Who Needs a Cape?
Mmmm! Those granola bars look DELISH! Found you over on Mom on Time Out's link party.
Tieghan
Great post! Is it weird that I love packing lunches? For some reason I find it fun. I am so weird!!
And the granola bars sound so easy and delicious!
Wendy
Great tips, Jocelyn! I often nibble on long car trips. My son is in college 6 hours from home, so I make the drive every couple of months. You have some great suggestions for healthy nibbles.
Julie
Great tips, Jocelyn! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
Packing lunches or any meal for that matter is so much better for you. Save money, eat less, and know what you are eating! I love the little condiment holders- I think for my apples I will need a side of pb and a side of Biscoff!! OOPS 😉
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
What great tips for healthy eating, Jocelyn! Planning is definitely the key IMHO - when I do remember to plan I find I eat much better. Easy granola bars like these sounds like a nice fix for breakfast on the go too! 😀
Brenda
My hubby usually laughs at me packing the ice chest but he is always thankful that I do it. Love your granola bars and your helpful tips!
Emily ~So Domesticated~
I love granola...... anything! These look delish!
carrian
no bake granola bars? Duh! Why haven't I made those?!
Trish - Mom On Timeout
Loving these tips Jocelyn! Homemade granola bars are SO good too!
Gloria @ Simply Gloria
Love these tips! I always love packing our own food when we leave the house. I'm pinning your granola bars...pb...LOVE! (=
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection
Number 2! I always forget to drink water when I'm traveling. In addition to all of the benefits you list, it also helps keep you full so you won't (hopefully) snack as much. I'm loving these homemade granola bars too. Homemade is usually healthier than store bought, so that's a great tip!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
Great tips! We are doing a huge roadtrip this summer, and bringing our own food is going to be a must! Love those lunch containers with the mini condiment holders!!