But don’t panic! Learn from an experienced road tripper how to eat healthy on the road. They are plates in disguise. Don't Skip Sushi. A … Healthy eating starts where you stop. Healthy on the Road. Avocado and cucumber spritzed with hot sauce and wrapped in seaweed snack squares make delicious and healthy road trip sushi. Before you set out, gathering supplies can help get you on the path to success. You can stop receiving messages at any time by texting STOP to 67692, for help text HELP to 67692. Though it takes a good bit of planning, it’s cheaper than eating in restaurants and healthier than eating fast food. 10. Pre-made batches of roasted chickpeas or popcorn can stop-the-hangry munchies. These affiliations support our work and allow us to continue bringing you valuable, life-changing content. Hopefully, these ideas help you as you plan your trip or think about hitting the road. Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Get tips, tricks, and advice from an experienced road tripper. Juice from a convenience store probably isn’t the best option. When we disrupt our meal patterns and normal activity level, we need to pay more attention than usual to maintaining a healthy gut. Steamed rice, while likely not organic, is usually unseasoned (just water and rice) and sold hot and quick in pints for a dollar or two. As you travel, you will also undoubtedly find yourself within reach of an Asian restaurant. But it could be a sign that healthier options are on the way. It’s a fine line, though, between micromanaging how you eat and thinking far enough ahead so that nothing goes to waste and you actually like what you’re eating. If you purchase products from one of these partners, FRN may at times receive a portion of the proceeds. If you’re traveling in the U.S., a desert is just a short drive away in just about any direction, from just about anywhere. Plus, more and more restaurants and chains are following suit by offering plant-based options and antibiotic and GMO-free ingredients, as well as supporting pasture-raised farmers and delivering on promises to pay their employees a living wage. This is fine for a day trip to the zoo in a neighboring town, or getting “the best” burger from that one-off diner on your annual family holiday trip. Besides, sharing eliminates the temptation to take leftovers back on the road, where they can't be properly stored. Despite some challenges with safety in the Chipotle’s supply chain, the restaurant has led the way by going non-GMO and by offering vegan options and meat from grass-fed animals. Written by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD — Updated on March 1, 2019 Aim for sit-down restaurants and snacks with plenty of protein and fiber. I try to steer clear of too much rice on account of arsenic concerns. According to a 2015 report in US News and World Report, “food deserts are prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic and the South,” but “the USDA projects that large swathes of the Midwest and West Coast also struggle to meet Americans’ food accessibility needs.”. Keep spirits high and hunger down on your next trip with this healthy portable meal. Include: Muesli or nut bars. Spork (preferably titanium, like the one sold by eco-conscious company, Glass storage containers with snap-on lids (Trust me, these can make a, Reusable food and sandwich wraps (I prefer beeswax-based, Can opener (I recommend “smooth edge” models that unseal rather than cut your cans. And they are seasoned the way I like them because I made them! Pottles of fruit salad. But eating healthy, affordable, plant-based foods on the road is possible! We do our best to purchase foods that we can use for breakfast, lunch and dinner: cheese, tomatoes, avocados, tortillas, and rice, to name just a few. Trail Mix. Getting a cooler and cooling it are good first steps but if you really want to elevate your fresh food game, figure out how to pack it. And if you’re desperate and find yourself at a 7-Eleven, you could make worse food choices. Healthy Smoothies for on your travels. Grocery stores sell a wide variety of … Goldfish crackers and dried cherries take this trail mix beyond what you'll … You’ll also see reviews, cost, and often a link to each menu and website all in one place. healthy road trip sushi. We’ve compiled some of our top tips and tricks for eating healthy on the road. One thing you can do is research farmers markets in towns and cities. Another thing you can do to maximize the cooling is to pack your cooler full. As a result we find ourselves going to the grocery store often (more often than we’d like) so that we can eat fresh, healthy food. Traveling in our van has led to some amazing experiences. Strategize your route and find out where the oases are — and where they aren’t. If you try to live consciously and you care about a healthy gut and a healthy wallet, dining on the road can be a challenge. Trail mix is another easy to eat and healthy option. (And jars of nut butter, while ideally refrigerated, can go a week or so at room temperature and still be good.). I tend to be a boredom snacker on road trips, so fruit and veggies are where it’s … Keep in mind, however, that is has it’s drawbacks—it can hurt you if you’re not careful. If you are planning on packing up the car and heading out to the beach, the Wild West, grandma’s house or anywhere in between, food might be near the top of your “what-to-pack” list. My advice is to pack healthy snacks at home to take on the road. Just remember that if you’re using frozen food to cool your cooler, at some point it’s going to thaw. Taco Bell's grilled steak soft tacos aren't just easy to hold, they also offer a moderate amount of carbs and fat, with a dose of satiating protein for long road trips. (Be sure to look at seasonal hours and markets, so you don’t find yourself out of luck). This sandwich is definitely one of the healthiest fast food burgers based on calorie count alone. These mini calzones from Food & Wine are stuffed with pepperoni, pesto, and ricotta. You may find agriculture-heavy regions that look more like organic and sustainable whole food deserts than utopias, especially if the majority of grains and beans are sold as animal feed. As well as organic instant noodles or grains in recyclable containers (just add some of that free hot water). Eat vegetables. For more information see our Privacy Policy. At Food Revolution Network (FRN), our mission is healthy, ethical, sustainable food for all. Grocery stores sell a wide variety of … Join FRN CEO, Ocean Robbins, and the fabulous Team Sherzai, MD, for the Masterclass that puts brain health in YOUR hands. That way it’s already conditioned when you put things into it. It doesn't have to be much—just a handful of nuts or dried fruit. Invest in a couple of lock-tight containers and be sure to drain your cooler every couple of hours. Tip: Divide your snacks into individual sandwich bags, one for each day of the trip. Cook the one that takes the longest and add the rest accordingly. ), A small cooler and ice packs (not necessary but can be super useful). See our Privacy Policy and Terms for more info. Road tripping demands planning. I’ve been known to add hummus to pasta, rice, quinoa — even steamed veggies! For us, making sure we’re eating quality food is one of the ways we keep our spirits high as well as stay fueled for more adventures. But on the road, these to-go boxes are one of my favorite lifehacks. Condiments for the win. With a little bit of planning and creativity it’s possible to eat healthy while on the road. Whether we’re searching for natural starlight or big city lights, bouncing around bayous or buttes, or headed home for the holidays, a packed car and a full tank of gas can be the start of an adventure. No one said you can’t have eight course meals when you’re on an adventure, but the logistics of doing so are enough to scare most people away. Must-Order Kale Salads from Coast to Coast. Keeping food fresh can be difficult and a bit of a hassle, but in the end, it beats eating greasy burgers and french fries daily. It has a bed and some storage boxes as well as a table in it but it’s lacking a fridge. And you’ll have more chances to take that next exit off of the highway and find a scenic spot to picnic and refresh. Reviews and testimonials of specific diets and approaches to health represent individual experiences and FRN does not guarantee any specific results from these approaches for your specific situation. And prepare. To this end, they’ve partnered with a Nashville based natural food brokerage company to create in-store food stations stocked with “organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, paleo and kosher” items. Always use gloves and let the ice ventilate because when it “melts” it turns to CO2 and can be very dangerous, especially in closed quarters. A very healthy snack that curbs any bad cravings, hummus is a delicious choice for the road. A failure to think about the future when it comes to your meals can mean having nothing to eat, wasted food and eating things that don’t go together (beef jerky and wine, anyone?). ), Vitamin B12: Why it’s Important and How to Avoid B12 Deficiency, Leafy Greens: How to Source, Wash, Store, & Prepare Them. Staying Healthy on the Road. It no longer has a handle and is a little banged up from heavy use but with ice in it, it’s good for keeping food cool for about 30 hours. You’ll be likely to encounter recognizable grocery chains, including specialty chains with familiar choices. Most entrees come with at least one vegetable. Chick-Fil-A. Recipe and photo from Food & Wine. They can turn spiralized veggie noodles into tasty Pad Thai (think nut butter, hot sauce, and vinegar). Frooze balls (one or two in a snap-lock bag) Small bags of pretzels or popcorn. BANANA CHIPS Epic sunsets, some really great trail runs, meeting new people and way too many campfires to remember. Whatever you do, cool early and often. Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to give up foods you love, just enjoy them prepared in a better way! No matter what cooler you’re using, over time ice always becomes water. Recently, 7-Eleven has begun selling “organic, vegan, fair trade, non-GMO, gluten-free” cold-pressed juice in the refrigerated section. and receive the Top 10 Foods To Eat And Avoid For Longevity infographic poster! The snack will stay fresh in an ice cooler for three days. Apple cider vinegar, oils, and most fruit-free hot sauces — What do all these yummy condiments have in common? Most grocers carry organic salt-free canned beans (not necessarily BPA free). A food desert, that is. Expect to traverse a food desert. It can be a little difficult to find but when you do, it can help you keep your food a little fresher even longer than regular ice and ice packs. Kale is the new black. Also, eating on the go often produces a lot of waste. As such, be mindful to keep things sealed tight so that it doesn’t become soggy. Revolutionary Recipe: Za’atar Spiced Rainbow Carrots, Vitamin K: Benefits, How to Get It, and How Much You Need, How to Balance Hormones Naturally with Diet & Lifestyle, Anxiety Self Help Strategies Using Diet & Lifestyle, 8 Key Brain Health Resources You Need to Know About (and 2 Recipes! Opening it and staring into it lets out precious cold air. If you go for the most basic menu option at this fast food joint, your sandwich will only be 220 calories. If you’re really on top of things, put some cold ice packs into the empty cooler for about an hour to “pre-treat” it. And can make tangy glass jar salads on-the-go with gut-healthy vinaigrette. Sometimes we forgo icepacks and ice and opt instead for frozen water bottles that we can drink later or frozen fruit that we can eat later. My favorite road trip dinners include salt-free canned (or pre-cooked and packaged) organic lentils, topped with fresh cut tomatoes, red peppers, jalapenos, and chopped cilantro. You will … It won’t take you long to learn this once you experience it. Along with suggestions of foods to bring along, like nuts and other healthy snacks … Fresh fruit and soaked nut blended smoothies make a great road warrior’s breakfast. How Can I Find Healthy Foods While on the Go? And then, when in doubt, head for the nearest urban center. Healthy Fats. A typical meal for us includes a vegetable, starch and a protein. Pizza is one of the most beloved road foods but also the hardest to safely eat while keeping your hands on the wheel. By checking the “Send me text message reminders and updates” box you agree to receive important updates, reminders, and promotional messages about events and products from Food Revolution Network (FRN). © Photo: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock. In support of our educational mission, we sometimes share resources offered by trusted partners.