Here are a few tips and tricks on how to pack smart for your road trips so you don't ruin all of your hard work:
Homemade Trail Mix! Nuts and seeds are your friends. They keep you satisfied from just a handful! Now, homemade is preferred so you don't get all that extra junk (crappy oils, added sugar, salt, and other unpronounceable ingredients) that is in store-bought/pre-made mix.
Typically, I purchase a few different bags of raw nuts and seeds, but I was short on time. I had to dig, but at Trader Joe's I found a pre-made Raw Fancy Nut mix, that includes almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, peanuts, and Brazil nuts. It has no oils or additional ingredients.
If you want to add a few chocolate chips, go for it. I would only add about 1 tablespoon per 1/2 cup of your nut mix. Score.
Popcorn! I found Orville Redenbacher's Natural Buttery Salt and Cracked Pepper flavor. HOLY COW this stuff is AMAZING! I know it isn't considered "clean", but let's be honest. Who actually enjoys plain popcorn? I sure don't. This is a decent snack that is sure not to expand your waistline on your trip.
All you have to do is pop a few bags before you leave and then put them in baggies or an airtight container. If you want to get really creative, mix the popcorn with your trail mix. Mmmmm.
Fresh Fruit, Celery, & PB!
Apples and bananas are a very travel friendly fruit. But how do you travel with celery and keep it fresh? Slice some up, put them in an airtight container or a baggy with a bit of water (to keep that crunch), and throw them in a small cooler. Bring a jar of Natural Unsalted Crunchy Peanut Butter along, too!
You can dip your apples, bananas, and celery in it to satisfy your hunger! If you are worried about the calories that come along with real peanut butter, bring along a jar of ready-made PB2.
Empty about half, maybe a little less, of the bottle (saving what you empty) and add some water until it forms the consistency of your choice. Start off with smaller amounts of water though, rather than a large amount. It is easier to add water than take water away.
Oh, and we know PB can get messy. So don't forget to pack napkins :)
Protein Bars! These guys are a quick, easy way to satisfy your hunger. I prefer Quest bars because they are low in carbs and great ingredient-wise. PB&J is my favorite :)
Other healthy options for cooler:
Organic string cheese
Boiled eggs
Carrots & PB
Tuna
Lunch Meat
Leftovers
We hope this helps you on your next road trip! It takes just a little bit of time, but planning ahead and preparing your snacks will definitely keep you from ruining all of your hard work.
