
Packing food for travel can be a daunting task, but it's easier than you might think. It's always a good idea to have some snacks on hand to ward off hanger, especially if you're stuck in traffic or facing a flight delay. Not only does packing your own food save money, but it also ensures you know exactly what you're eating and can offer healthier options. So, what are some good travel foods?
For road trips, it's best to pack a cooler with ice packs in the back seat. Fill it with single-serving bags of veggie chips, containers of tuna, packets of unsalted nuts, homemade trail mix, air-popped popcorn, low-sugar protein bars, and fresh fruit like bananas, apples, and grapes. You can also pack sandwiches, wraps, and string cheese, but be sure to include some ice packs to keep these foods fresh.
If you're travelling by plane, you won't be able to bring a cooler, but you can still pack some non-perishable snacks. Stick to items that don't need to be refrigerated and won't make a mess, like trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, air-popped popcorn, and protein bars. Peanut butter sandwiches on whole grain bread are also a good option, but be sure to divide them into clear baggies for security. And don't forget to bring a refillable water cup to stay hydrated!
Whether you're driving or flying, it's always a good idea to pack some treats that you don't usually indulge in. After all, treating yourself is part of the fun of travelling! So, go ahead and pack those indulgent snacks – your taste buds will thank you.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Healthy | High in protein, vitamins and minerals |
Portable | Apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, carrots, celery, cucumber, bell peppers, snap peas, cherry tomatoes, muffins, granola bars, crackers, cheese, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, sandwiches, pouches, chips, popcorn |
Long-lasting | Dried fruit, crackers, nuts, seeds, popcorn, chips, pouches |
Low-mess | Crackers, pouches, applesauce cups, grapes, apples, bananas, carrots, celery, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, pouches, popcorn, chips |
Filling | High-protein foods, e.g. meat, eggs, cheese, nuts, seeds |
What You'll Learn
Healthy travel snacks
Packing healthy snacks for your trip is a great way to save money and ensure you're nourishing your body with nutritious food. Here are some ideas for healthy travel snacks:
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are excellent travel snacks as they are portable, healthy, and can be easily eaten on the go. Some options include bananas, apples, oranges or clementines, grapes, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery, cucumber, bell peppers, snap peas, and broccoli florets.
Dips and Spreads
Pair your fruits and veggies with some tasty dips and spreads such as hummus, guacamole, or peanut butter. These provide a good source of protein and healthy fats. You can also bring along some whole-grain crackers or pita bread to dip into hummus or enjoy with cheese.
Nuts and Dried Fruits
Nuts and dried fruits are nutritious and convenient travel snacks. Look for single-serving packets of unsalted nuts like almonds or cashews, or make your own trail mix by combining nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. You can even add some dark chocolate chips for a touch of sweetness.
Protein Bars and Snacks
Low-sugar protein bars are a great option to curb your hunger and give you an energy boost. You can also pack hard-boiled eggs, string cheese, or deli meats like turkey or chicken slices to satisfy your protein needs.
Healthy Chips and Popcorn
If you're craving something crunchy, opt for single-serving bags of veggie chips or air-popped popcorn that is low in salt and has no added butter. You can also make your own homemade popcorn and spice it up with chili powder, cinnamon, or nutritional yeast.
Drinks
Don't forget to stay hydrated! Bring along a refillable water bottle, or if you're looking for something with a fizz, pack some canned sparkling water.
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Meals for travel
When travelling, it's important to keep your body healthy and nourished. Eating healthy food will help you feel your best and give you more energy to enjoy your trip. Here are some meal ideas for travel that will keep you full, nourished and satisfied:
Breakfast
- Overnight oatmeal jars
- Breakfast oatmeal squares or baked oatmeal
- Waffles
- Pancakes
- Muffins (such as pumpkin, spinach-banana or sweet potato)
- Fruit with vanilla-honey yoghurt dip
- Yogurt-covered raisins
- Eggs
- Cereal with milk
Lunch/Dinner
- Whole-grain wraps with deli turkey or chicken, avocado, shredded carrots and hummus
- Grilled cheese or paninis
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- Crackers with cheese
- String cheese
- Tuna and crackers
- Guacamole with sliced bell peppers
- Pita pocket sandwiches
- Salads
- Lean, grilled protein, like chicken or salmon
Snacks
- Trail mix
- Raisins or dried fruit
- Granola bars or energy bars
- Fruit, especially the easily portable ones like apples, oranges, bananas, blueberries, grapes, plums, apricots, tomatoes or avocados
- Vegetables (carrots, celery, cucumber, bell peppers, fennel, snap peas, broccoli florets, radishes) and dip (hummus, ranch, tahini, guacamole)
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Crackers
- String cheese
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Yogurt
- Deli turkey, pepperoni or salami
- Homemade muffins/bars
- Bread
- Pretzels
- Jerky or beef sticks
- Applesauce or other fruit pouches
- Dark chocolate
- Homemade vegetable chips
- Rice cakes
- Olives
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Food storage
Storage Containers
Use airtight storage containers to keep your food fresh and prevent spills or leaks. You can use plastic containers, reusable silicone bags, or even mason jars for dry goods like trail mix or granola. If you're travelling with liquids such as yoghurt or hummus, consider investing in some leak-proof containers to avoid messes.
Coolers
If you're travelling with perishable items, a cooler is a must-have. Pack your cooler with ice packs or frozen water bottles to keep food chilled. It's important to keep the cooler closed as much as possible to maintain the temperature. If you're taking a longer trip, consider bringing two coolers: one for the journey there and another for the return trip.
Portion Sizes
When packing food for travel, it's best to stick to single-serving portions. This reduces waste and makes it easier to manage and access your food. Use small containers or bags to portion out snacks like trail mix, nuts, or dried fruit.
Food Choices
When packing a cooler, choose foods that are less perishable and won't spoil quickly. Good options include fruits like apples, bananas, and oranges, as well as vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers. You can also opt for foods that don't require refrigeration, such as peanut butter sandwiches, crackers, and granola bars.
Leftovers
If you're travelling with leftovers, make sure they are completely cooled before packing them into your cooler. Use airtight containers to prevent spills, and clearly label the containers with the date and contents. Consume leftovers within a day or two to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Snack Packs
Create individual snack packs for each person to avoid constant opening and closing of containers. You can use plastic bags or reusable containers for this purpose. Include a variety of snacks like nuts, dried fruit, crackers, and maybe a treat or two. That way, you won't have to dig through the cooler every time someone gets hungry!
Remember to plan ahead, keep things organised, and always err on the side of bringing more food than you think you'll need. Happy travels and happy snacking!
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Convenience store options
Convenience stores are often associated with unhealthy snacks, but there are some good options to be found. If you're looking for some convenient travel food, here are some suggestions for what to look out for:
- Low-fat Greek yoghurt is a great option to look out for. It's a good source of protein and calcium, and the low-fat variety will be lighter on your stomach.
- Hummus with veggies is another good choice. Hummus is packed with plant-based protein and healthy fats, and it goes well with raw vegetables like carrots, celery, or bell peppers.
- Single-serving bags of veggie chips are a healthier alternative to regular potato chips. They're usually made from vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, or kale, and they're often baked or air-fried instead of fried.
- Single-serving containers of tuna are a convenient source of protein. Tuna is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health.
- Unsalted nuts like almonds or cashews are a nutritious option. They're high in healthy fats, protein, and various vitamins and minerals. Just be mindful of portion sizes, as nuts are calorie-dense.
- Air-popped or bagged popcorn is a whole grain snack that can be found in convenience stores. Look for varieties that are low in salt and have no added butter or sugar.
- Low-sugar protein bars can be a good option for a quick energy boost, but be sure to read the ingredient list to avoid bars with a lot of artificial sweeteners or other unhealthy additives.
- Bottled water or canned sparkling water are good options to stay hydrated. Avoid sugary soft drinks, and be mindful that energy drinks can contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulants.
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Airport and train station choices
When travelling, it's always a good idea to pack your own snacks and meals. This can save you money, and ensure you're eating food with less salt, sugar, and chemicals. It can also be a healthier, more varied, and more satisfying option than buying food at the airport or train station.
If you're travelling by plane, remember that you can't take a cooler through security. However, you can still bring healthy food options along for the ride. Divide snacks into clear baggies to get through security with ease.
- Fruit cups made with fresh fruit
- Low-fat Greek yoghurt
- Hummus with veggies
- Single-serving bags of veggie chips
- Single-serving containers of tuna
- Single-serving packets of unsalted nuts, like almonds or cashews
- Air-popped or bagged popcorn (stick to kinds that are low in salt and have no butter)
- Trail mix without candies
- Low-sugar protein bars
- Bottled water or canned sparkling water
- Single-serving containers of hummus or guacamole
- Whole-grain wraps with deli turkey or chicken, avocado, shredded carrots, and hummus
- Peanut butter sandwiches on whole-grain bread
- A refillable water cup
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Frequently asked questions
Good travel foods are those that are easy to eat on the go, non-perishable, and won't create a mess. Some examples include:
- Fresh fruits like bananas, apples, plums, apricots, and grapes.
- Low-fat string cheese or cheese slices.
- Crackers with or without cheese.
- Homemade popcorn.
- Trail mix.
- Granola bars.
- Muffins.
- Dried fruits.
- Nuts.
Some good travel foods for kids include:
- Applesauce cups or pouches.
- Yogurt tubes/pouches.
- Hard-boiled eggs.
- Homemade muffins or bars.
- Crackers.
- String cheese.
- Fresh fruits like apples, grapes, and clementines.
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
When packing travel foods for a plane ride, it's important to consider foods that are nourishing and non-perishable. Some good options include:
- Single-serving bags of veggie chips.
- Single-serving containers of tuna.
- Single-serving packets of unsalted nuts like almonds or cashews.
- Air-popped or bagged popcorn (low salt and no butter).
- Homemade trail mix with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
- Peanut butter sandwiches on whole-grain bread.