30 Best Road Trip Snacks To Eat Healthy While Traveling
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Let’s admit it. When you are traveling, it’s far more common and convenient to eat unhealthy rather than healthy. The concept of nutrition is usually left at home when you step aboard that plane, and oops…you forget to pack healthy habits in your suitcase along with your swimsuits.
Whether traveling by car or plane, the accessible food choices at airports, gas stations, and convenience stores are typically not the most nutritious options. They don’t make it easy, do they? Hunting down healthy food options may require more effort than you are willing to give when you’re exhausted.
Eating healthy obviously looks different for every individual, but regardless of the specifications of the health standards you keep, those standards are harder to maintain across the board once you leave home.
And, why is it even important to choose good nutrition when you are traveling?
If you continually make less-than-nutritious choices on an extended trip, odds are that is going to catch up with you, leaving you lethargic and moody. You’ll return from your travels feeling like you need a whole system “cleanse.” Choosing balanced meals and snacks will energize you for adventure, allow you to take care of yourself, and have the best trip ever.
If you are looking for ways to keep your diet balanced while you are on the road, we can offer a few guidelines and a list of best travel snack ideas!
How to Eat Healthy While Traveling
Meal prep
As soon as you leave your house, it immediately gets harder to simplify healthy eating, so set yourself up for success by preparing some fresh travel snacks beforehand. We have recipes and your new go-to snack inspiration listed below for both airports and road trips!
Actively seek out protein and vegetables
The two hardest things to find while traveling can be protein and veggies. Carbs (we love them) will be available to you literally everywhere. To get adequate daily protein and veggies, you have to actively seek them out and find creative ways to incorporate them. For example, when ordering at the airport, you can swap out the fried potatoes in your breakfast burrito for sautéed vegetables; or, ask for double meat in your sandwich.
Choose fresh, whole foods over packaged, processed foods, whenever possible
More often than not, your options will consist of an easy-to-grab bagged-something full of preservatives, sugars, and oils. After a few days of low-quality fast food, your body is going to start craving fiber, vitamins, and nutrients. Even when you’re in vacation mode.
Choose things that once were alive or grow out of the ground: lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. At gas stations, head straight to the refrigerated aisle where they have fresh fruit cups, yogurt, eggs, and turkey wraps. When eating out, opt for a nicer restaurant that offers quality cuisine over fast food.
Make sure your hotel has a kitchenette, and choose groceries over eating out
If you are staying in a hotel or Airbnb on your travels, having your own kitchenette, or even just a small fridge, will give you the option to cook and to store fresh groceries. That’s not only friendlier on your travel budget, but simplifies healthful eating. Scope out farmers markets for locally-sourced foods as well as an opportunity to experience the local culture.
Stay hydrated
When your body isn’t hydrated properly (which is extremely common while traveling), your junk food cravings increase. Keep your favorite water bottle close and make sure you’re drinking enough throughout the day.
Aim for balance, not perfection
It would be a mistake to over-prioritize finding only “clean” food to such an extent that it interferes with the quality of your travel experience. Trying to maintain the same standards for your daily routine at home will most likely be impossible, so don’t be too hard on yourself!
When abroad, the local cuisine is one of the truest ways to experience culture, so don’t sacrifice sampling new and foreign foods. Choose well-reviewed restaurants so that you don’t have to choose between flavor and health. The goal is to enjoy your travel experience while also taking care of yourself.
Road-friendly recipe ideas
Here is some travel-friendly recipe inspiration that you can whip up at home (or at your hotel) tol keep you nourished and fueled for adventure! All you’ll need is a cooler, or your hotel mini fridge, to keep them fresh.
Banana bread: In lieu of those overpriced bakery goods
Overnight oats: Breakfast on the road! Use greek yogurt or protein powder to increase protein intake
Granola: Tweak to your liking by adding raisins, chocolate chips, nuts, pumpkin seeds, or shredded coconut
Chicken salad: A lean protein option that can be served on sandwiches, wraps, salads, or just as-is
Egg salad: Portable and filling
Sandwiches: Classic, balanced sandwiches keep your stomach satisfied and happy on the road
Mason jar salads: Fill up with a tall mason jar with all sorts of delicious greens to keep your meals portable
Baked banana chips: May be easier to transport than fresh fruit
Mini quiches: A healthy breakfast with these crustless, veggie-filled egg bites
Baked chickpeas: Offering versatility and high-quality nutrition
No-bake protein balls: Easy, yummy, and protein-packed
Healthy Travel Snacks for Airports and Flights
It would be insanity to attempt a flight without snack options, but what a struggle it can be to find something decent at the airport. (Also, can we talk about those ridiculous airport food prices?) We recommend these tasty travel snacks that can be easily found at airports:
Greek yogurt cups
Oatmeal
Fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, and grapes
Hummus and sliced veggies, such as carrots, bell peppers, or celery
String cheese (pair with hummus, nuts, or fruit)
Trail mix
Nuts and seeds
Boiled eggs
Sandwiches and salads that boost lean protein and vegetables
The Best Pre-Made Healthy Road Trip Snacks
A road trip offers you more flexibility and access to healthy eating options than when traveling by plane. You can easily transport and store the following road trip snacks by filling up your vehicle and a cooler!
Price Reference (average price):
$ | Under $15
$$ | Between $15-$25
$$$ | More than $25
Image: Amazon
White Chicken Pouches
Starkist
Price: $$ (Pack of 12)
Why We Chose It: A must-bring for its versatility and convenience, you’ll be grateful to have chicken at the ready for sandwiches, wraps, and more.
Image: Amazon
Tuna Pouches
Safe Catch
Price: $$ (Pack of 12)
Why We Chose It: Portable protein (24 grams!) for the win, tuna can be a meal on its own or make a great addition.
Image: Amazon
Canned Kombucha
Health-Ade
Price: $$$ (Pack of 12)
Why We Chose It: Need something sweet to sip on behind the wheel? Gut-friendly kombucha is your answer!
Image: Amazon
Dried Fruits
Mavuno Harvest
Price: $$ (Pack of 6)
Why We Chose It: Dried fruits can be easier to transport than fresh fruit at times. Avoid options that have added sugar and high-fructose corn syrup on the list of ingredients to be kinder to your digestion.
Image: Amazon
Larabar Snack Bar
Larabar
Price: $$$ (Pack of 16)
Why We Chose It: Lara Bars are minimally-processed, whole food energy bars. They are great for travel and offer a variety of amazing flavors.
Image: Amazon
Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bars
RXBAR
Price: $$$ (Pack of 12)
Why We Chose It: RXBars are sensational protein bars made from real (and very few) ingredients. Other protein bars are full of chemicals and sugar that have no health benefit other than the (questionable) protein gram count.
Image: Amazon
Natural Fruit Bars
That's It
Price: $$ (Pack of 12)
Why We Chose It: Simple and delicious, these fruit bars have only the fruits indicated as their flavor; no additives!
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Dark Chocolate Bars
Endangered Species
Price: $$ (Pack of 12)
Why We Chose It: For travelers with a sweet tooth, dark chocolate will provide that necessary fix without fail.
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Whole Grain Crackers
Top Seedz
Price: $$ (Pack of 2)
Why We Chose It: Choose multi-grain crackers that don’t have a refined oil listed on its ingredients for a great road trip snack. Pair it with cheese, hummus, guac, or salsa!
Image: Amazon
Popcorn
Lesser Evil
Price: $ (Pack of 12)
Why We Chose It: You could pop your own popcorn at home, or choose this refined oil-free brand for a fantastic car snack.
Image: Amazon
Applesauce Squeezables
365 By Whole Foods
Price: $ (Pack of 4)
Why We Chose It: An organic and added-sugar-free option that is car-friendly and mess-free!
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Snack cheese
Babybel
Price: $
Why We Chose It: Cheese is a great staple of a balanced diet, and these mess-free snack cheese packs make it easy to bring in the car!
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Nut Mix
roastery Coast Store
Price: $$$ (3-lb bag)
Why We Chose It: Offering healthy fats and protein, nuts and seeds are a great pick for a healthy road trip snack when you’re looking for something salty or crunchy.
Image: Amazon
Almond Butter Packets
Justin’s
Price: $ (Pack of 10)
Why We Chose It: You’ll be able to dip apples or spread on bread; these packets make flavor easy to carry around!
Image: Amazon
Chewy Granola Bars
Junkless
Price: $$$ (Pack of 24)
Why We Chose It: Some granola bars are all taste and no nutrition. These granola bars have a tagline of “No fake stuff added!”
Image: Amazon
Turkey Jerky Sticks
Chomps
Price: $$
Why We Chose It: Another good source of protein on the go, try these free-range, organic meat snack sticks!
Image: Amazon
Trail Mix
Harmony
Price: $
Why We Chose It: Have a little bit of everything in your trail mix: fruit, nuts, and chocolate, for a premier road trip snack!
Image: Amazon
Instant Oatmeal Cups
KOdiak
Price: $$$
Why We Chose It: Instant Oatmeal comes in clutch on a road trip, particularly the Kodiak brand offering a generous 14 grams of protein per serving! Get hot water at a drive-thru, or just add room-temp water for overnight-oats-style.
Image: Amazon
Hummus
Brami
Price: $$$
Why We Chose It: Hummus is delicious and portable with these single serving cups, made with extra virgin olive oil.