Planning a Road Trip? Take Along Healthy Habits and Recipes
Shanthi Appelo, MS, RD
| 2 min read
After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, more Americans are looking to travel in 2021. In a recent poll, more than two-thirds of respondents indicated they did not yet feel comfortable traveling by plane, making road trips an increasingly popular option. With summer almost here and kids approaching the end of the school year, it’s the perfect time to explore this country’s scenery by car or recreational vehicle.
Getting active while on the road provides an excellent opportunity to take advantage of scenic views. Consider stopping at a scenic site, park, a body of water or a greenway for a walk, active family game, free play for kids or a yoga session. For a bonus workout, pack small exercise equipment, such as jump ropes or exercise bands. Another way to get in some steps is to find a museum or a downtown area, then explore the surrounding area on foot.
Most drive-thru fast-food restaurants aren’t known for a wide variety of healthy options. Convenient snack foods are often highly processed, containing sodium, sugar and ingredients that can alter hunger cues and cause overeating. Consider bringing along or purchasing these healthy and convenient snack items for your trip:
- Vegetables — sugar snap peas, sliced cucumber, carrot chips, celery and cherry tomatoes.
- Fruits — apples, bananas, oranges, kiwis, grapes, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.
- Protein — a flavored tuna pack, hummus or Greek yogurt for veggie dipping, pre-portioned nuts or roasted chickpeas.
- Grains — popcorn, granola bar with less than 10 grams of sugar, whole wheat crackers.
Snacks are great, but it’s also good to come prepared with meal options. While sandwiches and wraps offer handheld meals, consider switching it up by pre-portioning pieces from a rotisserie chicken the night before to pair with a pasta salad. This pasta salad recipe packs in nutrients from a variety of vegetables, adds a nice crunch from bell peppers and cucumbers, and is balanced to keep the family full until the next stop.
