30 Healthy Snacks for a Road Trip

It’s hard for me to write this post for one main reason: I’m a clean FREAK! FREAK! And packing healthy snacks for a road trip means my kids will be eating in the car and the car will never be clean again. But I’d rather have a messy car than a hangry [hungry + angry] toddler or husband—- boys, no matter what their age, ALWAYS see to be hungry. Am I right?!

Since starting our family, much of our travel has been in the car. The kids sleep well in the car [when it’s naptime or bedtime] and it’s clearly less expensive than flying. AND I can pack as many healthy snacks for a road trip without questioning the ingredients or succumbing to a fast food option [which we do from time to time]. Whether you are packing up a camper, a car, or flying by plane, consider bringing a few of these healthy snacks for a road trip. Your hangry toddler will thank me!

Fresh Fruit: Clementines, bananas, grapes, strawberries, apples + nut butter spread

Dried Fruit: Raisins, cranberries, apricots

Fresh Vegetables: carrot sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper slices

Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, cashews

Protein-Packed: Beef jerky, protein bars [my favorite]

Grains: Granola bars [check the label for those with 3-5 grams of fiber, <10 grams of sugar, and <150 calories per serving], whole grain cereal, muffins such as banana bread mini muffins, peanut butter and jelly muffins, whole grain Goldfish, unsalted pretzels, whole grain animal crackers

Speaking of KIND snacks… my friends at KIND were kind enough to share some samples of bars and granola from each of their product lines. My favorite thing about KIND snacks goes beyond their great taste—- it starts with their ingredient list. KIND snacks are made with simple ingredients: nuts, fruit, and whole grains. It’s as simple as that. And as you can see from the array of bars and granola they shared with me, there’s a flavor combination for every member of your family! I personally gravitated towards the peanut butter and chocolate bars, but that’s a given. Before you hit the road I’d recommend picking up a pack or two of KIND snack bars [we get ours at Target or Meijer] because not many gas stations carry them!

Sandwiches: Peanut Butter Sandwich [try one of these variations]; Hummus + veggie wrap, lunch meat and cheese sandwich

Dairy: String cheese, yogurt tubes, cubed cheese + crackers

Messy but GOOD: Popcorn, rice cakes

Needed for cleanup and food safety: Garbage bag, cooler with ice, wipes

MOMS SNACKS: Dark chocolate and coffee [not included in the 30 healthy snacks for a road trip round-up]

Keep your caravan full and satisfied with these 30 healthy snacks for a road trip! Click To Tweet

Don’t forget the food that needs to be refrigerated at home should be in a cooler with ice in the car. And don’t feel like you NEED to feed your kids when you are traveling. My rule of thumb is unless we are on the road during a main mealtime or snack time, we stick out the crying or fussiness without offering food. I try my best not to use food as a distraction. That’s what the iPad is for…

One last thing! Don’t forget drinks: water, 100% fruit or vegetable juice, and milk boxes. Mom won’t share her coffee when the fam gets thirsty!

Disclaimer: I received free KIND snacks and decided to include them in this round-up in a sensibly tasteful way. As usual, all thoughts and opinions are my own.