The summer road trips are in full swing and packing easy snacks (and meals) for the car is now top priority. Eating out or catching a few convenience stores along the way can be super quick, but rarely healthy. Here are our top 6 foods that you can take in the car this year to keep your kiddo's happy and your trip fast food-free.
Gluten Free Peach Muffin.
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Eating breakfast on the run generally means donuts and juices. And we all know that kids amped on sugar in the car makes for a really tough start to your long trip. Instead, opt for a morning muffin. This muffin recipe from the HKI Meal Planner is really versatile and can be made with zucchini, peaches, or apples. I personally try to avoid gluten while driving because it makes me extremely tired and lethargic. These GF muffins are delightful and produce no snoozing effects.
We're Going Nuts! Snack
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Packaged nuts at convenience stores are loaded with salt, sugar, processed nuts, and a host of other additives. For this snack, we simply fill 1/4 cup containers with a choice of raw, unsalted cashews, raisins, sunflower seeds, and granola. If messes in the car are a concern, then omit the granola and stick to larger pieces like raisins and cashews. Top with your lid and these little containers become super handy as a mid-morning snack.
Veggie Sticks & Dip
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Veggie sticks with hummus or ranch are actually easy to transport in the car. Simply use a container with lid or use 1/4 cup containers with plastic wrap. Fill the bottom of your container with your dip and add your veggies. It becomes an all-in-one container. Cucumber slices, carrots, peppers, and sugar snap peas are all great options. Cucumbers and Peppers generally have higher pesticide residue so opting for an organic version is always best.
Ham & Cheese Roll Ups
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It doesn't get much easier than ham and cheese roll ups for the kiddo's come lunch time. No mess and super easy to handle in the car. Add in some carrot and cucumber sticks for another serving of veggies on your trip. Low Sodium Deli Ham or Turkey is a good option for this. Simply lay your ham flat on a cutting board. Either add a slice of cheese on top or cut your cheese into match sticks. Fill 1/3 of your ham slice with matchstick veggies and then roll. Catch the video to make this on our YouTube channel.
Salad in a Jar
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For the adults, a Salad in a Jar is the perfect lunch time snack to satisfy your hunger and keep you fueled. This jar contains almost 2 servings of vegetables and is chock full of chickpeas, lentils, and a delicious dressing. Catch the video to make this on our YouTube channel. Salads in a Jar are also great for kids. Spinach, grapes, strawberries, walnuts, and cucumber are all great additions to a kid-friendly mixture.
No Bake PB Bites
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And for your afternoon snack, try some no bake peanut butter bites. Just 3 ingredients in these delightful treats. Simply mix 1 cup peanut butter with 1 cup rolled oats, and 1/2 cup raisins. Form into bite size balls. Place on parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. When using Peanut Butter, we recommend a brand with no added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter is a good option as this product only contains peanuts and a hint of salt.
Long road trips can be tough, but healthy foods for kids in the car make it easier. These foods are so easy to pull together. And best of all, your family will be consuming 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables along the way. That never happens on a road trip! Here's to your safe and healthy travels this summer.
If you're looking for more recipes, be sure to check out the Healthy Kids Meal Planner, designed for busy moms that want to juggle their hectic schedules with healthy meals.