by Angie Kay Dilmore
No road trip is complete without snacks in the car for the ride. But that doesn’t mean your noshing needs to nix your nutrition. With a little thought and planning, you can fill a tote with healthy options and avoid the notoriously bad-for-you snack aisles at gas station mini-marts.
Gorp aka Trail Mix – Create a homemade concoction of dried fruit, nuts, seeds and a few M&Ms for color (and of course, chocolate). Raisins, dried cranberries, peanuts, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds and a few mini-chocolate chips are great choices. Gorp packs a perfect combination of proteins, healthy carbs, and fats to keep you satisfied on your journey.
Fresh Fruit – Pack fruit that travels well and doesn’t require refrigeration. Consider clementines/mandarin oranges, apples, bananas, and grapes.
Granola and other snack bars – The market for individually-wrapped snack bars has exploded in recent years and the options at the grocery store are staggering. Bars are convenient and filling and run the gamut nutritionally. Some are highly processed and high in sugar; other choices boast more fiber and protein. Read labels and look for short ingredient lists with ingredients you can pronounce. This writer’s personal favorites, in no particular order: Kate’s Real Food Organic Energy Bars, Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Snack Bars, and KIND Simple Crunch Granola Bars.
Jerky – Jerkies come in a wide variety of options beyond your basic beef. There’s bison, turkey, chicken, pork, fish, even vegan. And while Slim Jims taste good and have been around since 1929, they may not be the healthiest option. Look for varieties with lower fat, less salt, and minimal sugar. Try Perky Jerky turkey jerky, Urban Cowboy (vegan) or Bucc-ee’s Mesquite beef jerky.
Vegetable-Based Chips – Potatoes are so passé. These days you can find chips made from most any kind of vegetable. Yams, beets, zucchini, kale . . . these snacks have been dominating chip aisles for years. But be savvy when choosing these snacks. For example, “veggie straws” are made of potato starch and potato flour and can be worse for you nutritionally than regular potato chips! Read labels and look for options made from actual vegetables, including legumes and root vegetables like taro, yuca, and casava. Try Harvest Snaps (made with green peas and red lentils, making them high in fiber and protein) and Wai Lana Casava Chips (the Thai curry and lime variety are truly addicting).
Regarding plantain chips vs. potato chips, research is not consistent. Some sources say plantains are higher in fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium and contain lower levels of fat and calories. Other sources say they are about equal. So, it could be a personal preference. (Plantains are botanically related to bananas and look similar, but they differ in their appearance, flavor, texture, and best uses.) Try Congo Tropicals’ Plantain Chips in a variety of flavors.
The key (for any snack option) is to scrutinize labels to make informed decisions and eat all snacks in moderation (not the whole bag!)
