What kind of snacks can I bring while traveling?? If you have any dietary restrictions, packing nutritious snacks for travel is a priority. Even the best planned road trips or vacations can have unexpected delays and events.
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Post Updated March 2021.
Another easy to prepare snack is Chocolate Chia Protein Pudding. It’s grain free/dairy free and can be prepared in individual size containers, which makes it easy for day trips or eating away from home.
So, my criteria for choosing which snack food to pack depends on a number of considerations;
- Length of trip,
- refrigeration availability,
- the type of activities,
- and method of travel, whether it be by car, plane, or boat.
I like to say I’m packing foods that the kids will like, but the truth is I want snacks that are appealing to me as well! The goal is to pack snacks that have a high nutrition value.
When refrigerator isn’t possible, we try to chose food that is not processed. Inevitably we always aim to pack at least one snack that involves dark chocolate.
Plan for Delays
Oh the joys of travel! I do like travel, have no doubt! However I also like to be prepared as much as possible for the expected and unexpected. One thing I can count on for every trip is my family will get hungry, they will need to eat food. I pack food for the unexpected…..
One unexpected delay is sitting in a traffic jam! They can last anywhere from a few minutes to hours. The longest we were in non moving traffic was 4 hours! (Can you guess where? Atlanta, GA!) So we were thankful for extra water bottles, great snacks and Little House on the Prairie DVD’s.
Packing snacks for flying is important as well. We have all experienced a delay or two while traveling by plane. Aim for snacks high in water content when flying. Your body losing alot of water when flying.
Note: All the snack suggestions listed in this post are tree nut free. Organic tree nuts are a good source of protein. However, we have a family member with a tree nut allergy. So, we find alternative protein sources, such as Epic jerky and boiled eggs.
Fresh Food Snack Ideas
The first list of snack foods will have perishable items. The vegetables will remain fresh if they are kept cool with a small ice pack.
- carrot sticks or whole carrots
- celery with peanut butter or sunbutter
- apples
- cucumber slices (with packable salt shaker)
- broccoli and cherry tomatoes
- kale chips
- boiled eggs
- banana
- gluten-free / tree-nut free protein bars
- summer sausage, Organic Prairie
- organic grapes
- sweet pepper sticks with hummus
- homemade Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Trail Bars
Fresh food is easier to take when you travel by RV or take an electric cooler. Many of the items can be prepared before packing them. When it comes meal time, you’re all set.
Reusable Snack Bags: Stasher Platinum Silicone Food Grade Reusable Storage Bag, Clear (Bundle 4-Pack Small) | Reduce Single-Use Plastic | Leakproof, Dishwasher-Safe, Eco-friendly, Non-Toxic
Non-Perishable Snacks
Packing non-perishable snacks is especially important when going long distances, flying or hiking.
On our Wyoming vacation we traveled from Michigan to Wyoming by plane and rental car. We first flew into Denver, CO and then rented a vehicle for the remaining travel. Since we did not want to rely on airport food, we packed apples, jerky, trail mix, and coconut snacks in our carry on bag.
It was easy to pack these items in our carry-on and in our checked luggage. We had food available to us regardless of the time of day. Our snacks also worked well for long day trips and hiking trips.
In order to save money, I bought items when they were on sale through Thrive Market.
- Epic Jerky Bites– smoked salmon, beef, chicken, turkey, bacon
- Joy Fit Grain Free Pretzel Sticks & Twists – made with cassava flour
- Freeze-dried berries & bananas
- Rhythm Beet Chips
- Rhythm Carrot Sticks – Salted
- Super Seedz salted pumpkin seeds
- Simple Mills Almond Flour Sea Salt Crackers – 6 individual bags
- Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Granola
- Cauliflower Cheddar Flavor Stalks – grain free/dairy free
- Simple Mills Sprouted Garlic & Herb Crackers – grain free/nut free
- Salsa and Seite Chips
- Go Raw Mixed Seeds – with sea salt
- Homemade trail mixture (see recipe below)
- Organic meat sticks
- Feridies Salted Jumbo peanuts
- Inka Plantian Chips – Chili Picante
For chocolate lovers: Eating Evolved Caramel Sea Salt Coconut Butter Cups & Eating Evolved Classic Coconut Butter Cups.
Another option: Make your own granola and pack it with you! Amazing Gluten Free Granola Recipe
Pack An Ice Pack
Small snack bags work great for placing a “sandwich size” ice pack & a few perishable snacks. I find small ice packs handy for the vehicle and traveling by airplane.
Boiled eggs are very versatile! They contain every vitamin, except vitamin C, and are rich in protein. Our eggs are only a few days old when they are boiled, making them nutrient rich! They will last several days when cooled and even up to a week.
When you can’t find all the staples you need for a trip, try out Thrive Market. Our family saved over a $2000. last year on our grocery bill. I can order healthy snacks delivered right to my home.
They have a variety of products, many have no sugar or under 5 g. of sugar. Go Raw Choco Chunk & Go Raw Tangy Lime coconut strips each have 1g. of sugar. Packing snacks that are low in sugar is important to keep our immune systems working strong!
Printable Homemade Trail Mixture Recipe (Nut-free)
Homemade Trail Mix
Tree nut & Dairy Free
Ingredients
- 1 c. organic peanuts or tigernuts salted
- 1 c. Joy Fit Grain Free Pretzels twists or sticks
- 1 c. freeze dried fruit pineapple, strawberries, bananas
- 1 c. coconut strips
- ¼ c. unsalted sunflower seeds
- 4 T. Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips or Lily’s Dark Chocolate Chips optional
- 4 T. Unreal Chocoate Gems optional
Instructions
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Set out four, one cup size glass canning jars. (Jelly jars work great!)
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Place a 1/4 c. of peanuts in each jar. Next add 1/4 c. of freeze dried fruit. (Freeze dried strawberries, bananas, mangoes, or blueberries)
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Add 1/4 c. coconut strips. Top with 1 T. of dark chocolate chips.
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Use an appropriate size lid to make mixture airtight. The white storage canning lids fit nicely & can be labeled for each family member.
Happy Travelers Trail Mix
This very simple trail mixture will make happy hikers! Please note that the sugars are a bit higher due to the freeze dried fruit and chocolate chips. There is approximately 5 g of sugar for 1 T of Enjoy life dark chocolate chips.
If you and your kids like dark chocolate, try adding in cocao nips. They are sugar-fre and have numerous health benefits. However, some people can find them a bit bitter, so it is personal preference. Freeze dried fruit is simply made and naturally sweet. Strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries that are freeze dried are super anti-oxidants and make a wonderful addition to a trail mix.
Nutritious Snacks for Travel
Our family likes to use the re-usable snack bags when possible. We also love these LunchBot Boxes. They work well for keeping items separate, and they are easy to wash. I also like using small canning jars for car travel, however they are a bit heavy for taking on the trail.
Epic brand Jerky is softer then most store bought jerky. It contains real ingredients without the added sugars & preservatives. Our family each has their personal favorites. My favorite is the smoked salmon bites.
Share with other readers, what snacks did you find the most helpful?
Pursing Better Health Together,
A special gift for you – FREE Printable snack list for your pantry or refrigerator.
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