Who doesn’t want a safe and enjoyable road trip after long, boring months of hard work? The moment you decide to go on a long trip with your family, particularly the younger kids, you get excited and start planning all of the details. And when kids are involved, one of the things you must meticulously plan includes the meals you can take to keep the family energized without compromising their health.
Young kids or toddlers tend to throw a tantrum when they get hungry. You need to make a list of health-focused foods to take with you on your trip.
You may say there are hundreds of places to stop and grab the desired food, but this will cost you a fortune, and you can never be sure of finding good, healthy food. In addition to that, kids sitting in the back grouching for food will drive you up the wall.
But the lack of food inside the car on the way to the long tour will badger you to death, especially when the kids get junk food and sugary drinks on their hands and all over the seats and floor.
Why Do You Need a Food List for the Kids on a Long Trip?
Kids don’t understand the importance of healthy food, but you do. If you have an option to pre-make some of the meals to cut your food cost and make sure your kids are eating healthy, then why wouldn’t you? Remember, the kids are often sensitive to foods or can become hyper after eating too much sugar. Too much spicy food may also trigger gastric symptoms, provoking vomiting or nausea, causing all kinds of problems and ruining the trip that you have looked forward to for a long time.
Besides, the snacks sold at gas stations are not always healthy; they contain artificial preservatives and coloring that may also lead to a myriad of chronic symptoms in the long run. As this is not going to be your last trip, you need to be smart in planning the foods that you will carry for the family.
This blog will provide a list of foods that are easy to carry, don’t require heat or cold, and are affordable and easy to prepare in a home atmosphere. Five food items are a must to have with you:drinks, fruits and veggies, snacks, dry food, and protein. Now it’s time to get ready to start a fun and memorable journey with your kids.
Long-Trip Food Your Children Will Love
Some of the nutritious and delicious foods that you must take for your kids on a long trip include the following:
● Drinks Keep You Hydrated
Drinks distract your kids from asking for food too often, but most importantly, their benefit lies in hydrating them throughout the day. If your long-awaiting trip starts with a glorious sunny day, your focus should be allowing your kids to drink plenty of water. Don’t forget to take the reusable water bottle and refill it at each gas station. Many parents don’t let their kids drink enough for fear that they will need to stop for bathroom breaks too often, but doing this will cause problems in the kidney, which is not a good thing.
A lot of kids like sprinkling water. It may cost a little, but it’s easy to keep the kids occupied with its effervescent bubbles blooming up. Also, if it spills on the car seat or anywhere, you won’t have to worry about cleanup.
Other Drinks You Might Consider
- Infused water—also known as detox water, it’s made from fruit immersed in the water. It has very little sugar and contains good nutrients.
- Milk—a favorite of many kids, it provides energy and strength and is a source of almost all minerals and nutrients. However, don’t give this to children with lactose intolerance. You can use chocolate toppings or almonds to enhance the taste.
- Shakes & Smoothies—blend fruits or veggies with milk. Great for kids who don’t like plain milk.
- Triple Chocolate Slush—it’s less sugary than a smoothie and lighter than milk.
● Fresh Fruits & Veggies Keep Your Kids Cool on Hot Days
Kids tend to lose their temper when they get hungry, and that is never fun in a car. Fresh fruits and veggies make a great snack to keep away the hanger. They are full of vitamins, and cutting them into slices makes them easy to digest and more fun to eat. However, some fruits, if not all, may not taste as good if they’ve been in a hot car for awhile. It’s better if they are kept in a cooler or with an ice pack in an insulated carrier. Mango is the first choice of many, while others’ preferences include pears and strawberries.
Some of the other fruits and veggies you might consider are:
- Carrots (baby carrots are perfect)
- Sugar snap peas
- Kiwi
- Apple slices (make sure the seeds are taken out as they may cause toxicity)
- Mini cucumber (better when mixed with a bit of salt)
By the way, paper plates should always be in your bag as the babies tend to spill their food. Ceramic dishes from home are heavy and inconvenient. You can use paper plates when you get to your destination to avoid having to do dishes. If you are wondering, Can you microwave paper plates? they are safe to microwave for up to 2-3 minutes.
● Dried Fruits & Veggies Will Keep Everyone Happy
Kids often develop constipation or upset tummies while on a long trip where they are exposed to only junk food. In that case, you ensure their gut health by bringing dried food that doesn’t require coolers or ice packs. They are high in fiber and help keep the intestines healthy. Crispy baked kale chips are one enriched with nutrients and have an irresistible crunch.
Other dried fruits and veggies you might want to try include:
- Dried green beans.
- Dried cranberries.
- Dry cereal.
- Sweet potato chips.
● Snacks Remove the Boredom of the Long Trip for Kids
If your kids want to try new foods on the trip, let them. Remember, this is one part of the enjoyment of the journey, and getting fun snacks will add to the level of excitement they add to the trip. Therefore, your long-trip food list for children must include snacks. When you are looking for new and interesting snack ideas, popcorn is a great, light choice.
Popcorn has manganese, magnesium, and zinc, and their sweeter to salty taste will surely suit all of your kids. Should popcorn be given to toddlers? Anyone above four years old can eat it, given that you should be on the alert for choking. Worried about what foods toddlers can try? Learn how to feed babies solid foods.
Don’t forget to pack other snacks like:
- Cooked pasta (the taste is better with pesto).
- No-bake cookies.
- Hard-boiled eggs (apart from the obnoxious smell, they make a great snack).
- Granola bars.
● Protein Is the Powerhouse of Your Kid’s Body
Protein provides the essential building block—amino acids to power up the body for the long trip. It keeps the young tummy full for a long time with little necessity for other snacks or cookies.
A pizza roll is a great start to supply protein to your kids if they are obsessed with pizza. But the beauty of this pizza, despite its greenery look, is that it doesn’t disappoint the kids as it is delightfully crispy and tastes great. They can be prepared in under 30 minutes and only require a minute to serve when taken out of the freezer.
You may be interested in other protein-based meals, such as:
- Pizza pockets.
- Diced chicken.
- Yogurt pouches.
Final Verdict
A road trip can be a source of long-cherished memories, but can easily be spoiled due to poor planning. Kids have specific needs when it comes to meals and snacks, and it isn’t always easy to find acceptable, not to mention healthy food on the road. However, our list, if followed, will allow you to spend quality time while ensuring that you kids stay satisfied and healthy.
