Camping, Playing, Eating and Driving Eating Healthy On the Road

 

 

Is your child headed off to camp this summer? Are you part of the car pool for trips to the YMCA pool?  You've filled up on gas, but have you packed healthy, road-worthy snacks? Probably not.

 

If you're like most of us, you'll be grazing at convenience store counters and hitting all the familiar fast food joints. Eating right is hard enough on its own, but trying to maintain a healthy diet on a road trip is an even bigger challenge.

 

With fast food restaurants on every corner and health foods that spoil fast or make a mess, it’s all too easy to give in to junk food, especially when you're traveling with kids. Also, car trips can get boring and many of us try to cure boredom with food.

 

 

Often, the drive to and from events takes place right at mealtime. About 20 percent of our meals are consumed in cars, so the results of unhealthy eating on the road can really add up. Even though it’s convenient, fast food isn’t always the most nutritious option. It's often high in calories, full of salt, and loaded with fat.

 

Fortunately, a little preparation goes along way. So here are some tips to help you avoid fast-food temptations on the road.

• Decide in advance that you're going to stick to a mealtime schedule. If you’re going on a hike, plan and pack a lunch and enough snacks to get you through it.
• Bring a cooler for perishables. Animal proteins like meat, eggs and dairy are especially susceptible to spoiling on a long summer road trip.
• Avoid yellow arches, meat-loving kings, and any other places that smell like fries from miles away. Instead, pack healthy snacks to take with you, or stop at sandwich shops and grocery stores where you’re more likely to find healthy options.
• Keep a sports bottle full of water in the car. If you find yourself getting hungry between mealtimes, fill up on a few sips of water and wait out the urge till mealtime.
• Bring a few good snacks with you. Take some dried fruit and nut mixes along for the ride. They’ll fill you up and give you a healthy boost.
• Stay entertained. Play games, sing, listen to music, audio books or talk radio. Staying entertained will help keep your mind off of food. A good plan if you're prone to grazing when you're bored.
• Avoid the convenience food when you stop to get gas. Don'tgrab chips and sodas. If it’s time for a meal or a snack, load up on fruit, nuts and sugar-free juices.
• Stop at farm stands along the way. There’s nothing better than fresh fruits or veggies straight from the farm.
  
• Watch what you drink. Beverages like sodas and sticky-sweet coffee drinks can be a major source of nutritionally empty calories. Stick to water, unsweetened tea or diet soda. And pass on the thick shakes and ice cream drinks!
• Have it wrapped. Instead of burgers, try healthy wraps filled with veggies or lean meats. They’re easy to eat without making a mess - a definite plus for road trips.

Published 06/13/08