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Summer Road Trip Food Tips

Summertime is the perfect time to hit the road for an adventure! But when you’re away from home, it can be hard to eat both healthy and cheap. Here are some quick tips for packing food to make your summer road trip deliciously fun and affordable.

Pack Snacks – Stock up on healthy, inexpensive snacks from the bulk bins, such as dried fruit, trail mix, nuts, and energy bites. Pretzels, chips, and popcorn are also easy road foods. Divvy up everything into separate containers for each person on the trip. Protein bars such as the ones from Clif Bar or Luna also make great snack choices. You can also add sturdy fruit such as apples or oranges to your snack packing list. Snap peas, carrots, and celery sticks add healthy crunch too. Add hummus for some protein-packed dipping! Speaking of protein, don’t forget the meat and cheese sticks.

Save on Sandwiches – Instead of buying ready-made sandwiches, pack a cooler with simple ingredients to make your own. You’ll need sandwich spread (such as mayonnaise), meat and cheese (or vegan alternatives), lettuce (romaine is best), and bread. Good ol’ peanut butter (or other nut butter) and jelly also makes a great road trip choice that doesn’t take up a lot of space. Bagels and flat breads make a good substitutes for easily squished bread.

Bring Breakfast – It can be easy to skip breakfast when you’re trying to get on with your day, but it’s best to eat at least a little something to up your energy. Easy, packable foods include muffins and energy bars. If you bring a cooler, hard-boiled eggs and cubed cheese are good breakfast options on the road.

Drink Up – Water is the best choice to keep you hydrated without added sugar and empty calories. For an energy boost on the road, pack a bit of instant coffee and either bring a plug in mug or snag some hot water at a gas station. If you simply must have fizzy beverages, choose sparkling waters such as La Croix or Pellegrino. Coconut water is also a good choice for flavored hydration.

Watch Your Waste – Instead of purchasing individually packaged foods, consider buying your grub in bulk and repacking everything. For example, buy a family-sized bag of Kettle Chips instead of a bunch of snack-sized ones. Use bento boxes or other sturdy food containers to divide things up into individual portions.

Non-Food Essentials – Don’t forget to pack napkins, utensils, plates, and cups. If you’ll have time to stop, consider also packing a table cloth or picnic blanket. Also, don’t forget a reusable water bottle for each person, along with a water jug.

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