Food

 

Not only the vehicles need fuel for bringing us to the port of vacation destination people as well. Adults can be flexible regarding the food on the road. As for the kids the question of food on the road may be rather stressful for their parents. Recommendations on road food will help eliminate the stress and keep kids' bellies full.

 

1. Dry crackers -mall snack pack size. It will be better if they are always handy.
2. Pop tarts and individual cereal boxes.
3. Flavored rice cakes; pretzels, nuts or trail mix.
4. Jars of peanut butter and a loaf of bread plus a plastic knife to make snacks.
5.  Nutri-Grain bars, crackers (Cheez-Its, Sesame Twigs, Triscuits, etc.), raisins, grapes, Sun Chips, Gorilla Munch (an organic cereal similar to Kix), celery sticks w/peanut butter and raisins for protein to combat sluggishness from riding in the car.
6. Popcorn, especially the low-fat kind -- sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on it for more flavor.
7. Cut up whole-wheat flour pita bread into pieces. Brush on olive oil, bake for about 12-15 minutes, remove and sprinkle with garlic powder and shredded cheese. Continue baking until crispy.
8. Stuff pita bread with things not normally in a sandwich -- pizza-type cheese and pepperoni, thick chili and cheese, veggies, hot dogs -- and heat. Also, tortilla roll-ups may be fixed ahead and kept warm. If the fillings are messy, wrap in waxed or parchment paper. Then put them in your warm cooler.
9. Make mini banana-nut bread loaves, freeze, then thaw in morning and slice for snack; great with peanut butter and slice of banana on top . Mix fruit or jam into yogurt and freeze in small, snack-sized Ziploc bags for frozen yogurt on the go. Cut a hole in the end of the bag for easy access/eating.... Make a batch of pudding and add coconut, nuts, marshmallows, crushed cookies, or sprinkles. Pour into molds. Freeze several hours until firm.
10. Homemade sweet potato fries, chicken tenders, fish sticks, corn dogs on a wooden skewer, hashbrown patties from the store, wrapped in wax paper. A favorite: mini meatloaves stuffed with mashed potatoes -- it's not hard to do in a muffin pan.
11. Vegetables are a great source of nutrients, providing fiber, vitamins A and C, and complex carbohydrates-all for very few calories. And you just need a bit of time beforehand to wash, cut them up into bite-size pieces and put into plastic bags:
    1. Bell peppers
    2. Broccoli
    3. Carrots
    4. Cauliflower
    5. Celery
    6. Cucumbers
    7. Jicama
    8. Snow peas
    9. Squash
    10. Zucchini
12. Fruits are low in fat, they are a good source of vitamins A and C. Some fruits may be packed as whole, others - cut up. Apples, bananas, grapes, nectarines, oranges, and strawberries may be brought as whole. Cantaloupe, mango, pineapple, and watermelon may be cut up to facilitate the process of eating and not to put stains on the clothes.
13. Plenty of water: mineral/spring water or Coke. Individual size water bottles, a permanent marker will help to keep these separate.   Boxed juices will add some flavor to the trip. They are less prone to spill. Just make sure that you select the type with 100% juice.
14. Dairy products such as milk and yogurt are good nutrients. Put them in a cooler.
15. Pack plastic spoons, knifes, cups, and plates.
16. Buy flat plastic insulated bags that can be found at warehouses and supermarkets. They are good for keeping either cold or hot food. If you use a cooler do not forget to replace the old water and ice with fresh ice daily.
17. If you stop at a fast food restaurant:
    1. Order regular-size portions. When you "super-size" the fries, burger, or soda, you are adding more calories, and most likely, more fat, cholesterol, and sodium;
    2. Skip the French fries and opt for a salad as a side order. Or split one order of French fries among several of you;
    3. Order sandwiches or salads dry, ask for condiments on the side, and apply them sparingly (they are usually high in salt and fat);
    4. Stay away from sodas, which run about 150 calories per 12 ounces. Grab water or juice instead.

 

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