It is not always easy to make sure you are fueling your body with healthy foods when on the go. Eating healthy can be especially difficult on those long road trips because it is so much easier just to pull off an exit and stop at a fast food chain or convenience store for your next meal. When you know you have a long road trip coming up, planning ahead can make all of the difference. Not only will it allow you to eat healthier, it will also save you money.
There are so many amazing benefits to a healthy diet. Eating well-balanced meals and healthy snacks will help you stay more awake and alert by giving you an energy boost. You will also have a boost in your mood helping you stay less stressed. Empty foods with empty calories will just leave you feeling hungry again sooner, so a healthy snack will keep you full much longer, leaving you more satisfied. Of course, the other healthy eating benefits that are obvious such as weight control, brain health, and heart health. Here are a few healthy recipes to take on the road during those long trips. All you need is a small insulated cooler, sandwich bags, and food storage containers.
Breakfast
Yogurt – Yogurt, particularly Greek yogurt, is full of protein and other nutrients that will give you energy. Yogurt can easily be kept in an insulated cooler with ice packs.
Fruit – Fruit is very good for you and also has natural sugars. There are some fruits such as bananas, pears, oranges, and apples that do not need refrigeration. Others such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries that can be put in sandwich bags or food storage containers and then placed in the cooler.
Granola Bars – There are so many flavors of granola bars to choose from that everyone can find the right ones for them. Granola bars are perfect for on the go, especially when you need an energy boost.
Cereal – Cereal is another excellent choice for breakfast on a road trip. You can pack a sandwich bag with your favorite healthy cereal or even purchase the cereal cups with whole grain cereal. Eat it dry or pour some milk in your ready to go cereal cup.
Lunch and Dinner
Mason jar salads – Mason jar salads are healthy and perfect for when on the go. When prepping your meals for your trip, place the salad ingredients inside the Mason jar, such as lettuce, cheese, grilled chicken, croutons, etc. Keep your Mason jar salad and favorite salad dressing in the cooler. When ready to eat your lunch, pour the dressing into the Mason jar, shake it up, and you are ready to go!
Sandwiches – Sandwiches are quick and easy. You can have some peanut butter and jelly ones packed in the cooler, or have the ingredients all packed separately in the cooler, so you can put your sandwich together when you get hungry. Keep some whole wheat bread, lettuce, turkey, ham, tomatoes, and mayonnaise in the cooler. A healthy sandwich will help you feel satisfied longer while giving you some energy. Instead of whole wheat bread, you can also use pita bread that contains many minerals, and it is good for the digestive system and for raising vitamin levels.
Hard Boiled Eggs – Hard boiled eggs are a quick and easy snack making them an excellent healthy option for road trips. They are high in protein, vitamin D, and good fats.
Snacks
Mixed Nuts – Nuts are another healthy snack that are high in protein and healthy fats. There is a large variety to choose from if you prefer one over another, or you can bring along a bag of mixed nuts that are perfect for snacking.
Peanut Butter – Peanut butter is a healthy and filling snack that is great to take on the road. You can take a jar and a spoon to eat by itself, or it is delicious on a number of other foods as well.
Trail Mix – Trail mix is another great option that is healthy and packed with super foods. Prepare some bags before your trip, combining granola, nuts, dried fruit, raisins, pretzels, etc.
Anna Donato is a freelance writer who just loves to cook and comes up with the best healthy meal ideas she can think of regardless of lifestyle. For those truckers looking to prove to Uncle Sam that their healthy eating is paying off, she recommends finding a DOT certified physician through driverphysicals.com. You can learn more about Anna on Google+.
