Road trips need not be free-for-all eating extravaganzas. Plan your trip around healthy restaurant choices and bring food from home to help your entire traveling party maintain fitness and health on the road.
Step 1
Research healthy dining choices before you leave on your trip. Review guidebooks from travel organizations such as the American Automobile Association or check Internet sites such as Healthy Dining Finder to locate restaurants along your route.
Step 2
Choose hotel rooms equipped with refrigerators and microwaves to expand your eating options. If you plan to eat breakfast at the hotel, ask in advance about the menu. Some hotels offer free continental breakfasts with fruit, oatmeal, yogurt and other healthy choices while others provide pastries and coffee.
Step 3
Bring along individual-size packets of oatmeal, bagels and cream cheese, protein bars, low-fat cheese and homemade muffins for healthy breakfasts in the hotel room.
Step 4
Pack a cooler with cut-up fruits and vegetables, cheese, yogurt and dried fruits for snacks along the way. Bring carrot sticks, apples, orange slices, raisins and dried apricots for a healthy alternative to chips and candy. Stash bottled water and boxes of 100 percent juice in the freezer the day before you leave. In the cooler, they will keep your food cool and drinks ice cold when you are ready for a drink.
Step 5
Pack sandwiches, yogurt and low fat cheese for lunch the first day. If you must bring chips and cookies, pack them in individual-sized bags to avoid over-indulgence. Single servings of applesauce, canned fruit in juice, trail mix and pretzels make healthy side dishes and snacks as well. On the other days, stop into a deli or grocery store for sandwiches, canned tuna, fruit cups, carrots and other healthy foods.
Step 6
Bring individual-size packages of protein bars, oatmeal and cereal, bagels and low-fat cream cheese, fruit, skim milk, yogurt and cheese for healthy breakfasts in the hotel room. A peanut butter sandwich made with low- or no-sugar jelly and a glass of milk make a healthy breakfast as well.
Step 7
Keep your food safe by avoiding mayonnaise-based foods and keeping foods cool if needed. Wash your hands before preparing foods or eating. In hot weather, keep the cooler in the car rather than the trunk.
Step 8
Walk, run or swim every day to avoid weight gain and increase your enjoyment of your trip.
Step 9
Pack audio books and music to avoid boredom on the road. If you find yourself eating because you are tried or bored, pull over for a nap or a quick walk instead of snacking.
Things You'll Need
- Cooler with ice
- Utensils, napkins or paper towels, plates
- Plastic food containers or sealable bags
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