Chances are, you've read about what foods to carry on the plane (it's been quite a popular post for some time now). But in the summer, we find ourselves in a car even more than an airplane. So, what should we snack on?
In the backseat of your own car, you don't have to worry about TSA regulations or fitting your food in the side pocket of your carry-on bag. But other rules apply.... Here are our thoughts:
No tiny pieces. Granola might be a great snack on a plane, but if you try to eat it in a car, you're going to be finding oat clusters in between the seats for months.
Keep it simple — no assembly required. Again, on a plane, you might be able to place the little sliced radishes on a slice of bread. In the back seat? You'll hit a speed bump and lose everything in your lap.
Smelly things are still out. Odors can be hard to get rid of in a car — and driving 70 mph with the windows down isn't fun unless you are a dog.
Keep your energy up! You're driving! Stay alert! Think protein and fruit, maybe some sugar if you need a quick burst to get you to your destination.
Bring a garbage bag. Re-use a plastic grocery bag, if you have one, or bring a tote bag designated for scraps, pits, and napkins.
Salty Food? We're making this a question due to lack of scientific evidence, but we have known salty food to keep us from having to make a pit stop every 100 miles. Does it make you dehydrated? Maybe.
Some good foods to consider:
- Fruit (see garbage bag, above, for pits and cores)
- Simple sandwiches like peanut butter and jam, or prosciutto and mozzarella. You may want to skip mayonnaise or lettuce if it's hot and you're taking a long trip.
- Vegetable sticks and a thick (i.e. hard to spill) dip.
- Leftovers! A piece of grilled chicken or a slice of pizza is compact and you can pick it up with your hands.
- Chewy cookies (fewer crumbs)
- Homemade granola bars
What do you bring to eat on road trips?
Related: The Great American Road Trip for Food Lovers in Saveur
(Image: Flickr member roadsidepictures, licensed for use under Creative Commons)
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We just got back from a road trip, and our best driving snack was those little cans of flavoured tuna, and some sturdy crackers. Very nutritious, low in calories, not messy at all. Great protein.
Watch out! I am a car snacker but after several years of a long commute and numerous bites in the car, I recently found ants in my console!
Yuck and hard to get rid of!!
I always look up restaurants and diners along my route where I can stop, eat, rest, and maybe see something interesting. When I go to the eastern sierras in a couple of weeks I'm looking forward to stopping at the Whoa Nellie Deli in Lee Vining once I make it over the mountain. Lobster Taquitos and Mango margaritas with a view of Mono Lake!
No cut red peppers... they become very pungent in the small space of a car. I had no idea until I was stuck in a ford fiesta with some in a sealed heavy duty ziploc bag for five hours. Yuck. You're better off with cucumbers and carrots.
No drippy fruits. Peaches= bad, Apricots = perfect.
Bring lots of napkins. Bring packets of mayo from takeout places if you can't live without it on your sandwiches.
Bring cheese sticks if you have some way of keeping them cool-ish.
Avoid anything you know will give anyone in your group gas. (No raw broccoli!)
I haven't done a long road trip (24 hours) in years, but we usually would take:
- Pita bread, lunch meat, and a bottle of mustard - the pocket aspect of the bread makes it great for holding while driving
- Chex mix - Sure it's nothing but small pieces but it was required road food. We used to make huge batches of it from the recipe on the side of the chex box, but the premade kind is good too.
- apples and carrots
- sandwich crackers
Fruit leathers are good, particularly for those of us with small children. I often find myself eating one too -- compact, tart, a burst of sweet fruitiness: all good for staving off hunger and boredom on a long trip.
I got the coolest gift years ago--a cooler (well, it functions as a warmer as well) that plugs into my car lighter. Now, I can keep sandwiches or whatever cool for road trips--it has made traveling so much more efficient and pleasant. And I don't have to deal with ice packs, etc.
For snacks, nut mixes are my go-to.
Nuts and dried fruits.
Apples (my grandpa calls them "food and beverage all-in-one").
A box of crackers and a can of spray cheez will keep the back-seat riders entertained for an hour, drawing all kinds of artwork on the crackers (Wheat Thins are best because they're one-bite-sized and don't crumble like Triscuits or saltines or Ritz).
Sandwiches, premade and cut into halves or even fourths to keep the fillings from falling out. Just call them "tea sandwiches".
Don't forget the wet wipes to get the stickyness and salt off your fingers when you're finished eating.