Choose your snacks wisely for those summer road trips
Lesley Perez, Nutrition Services, Alberta Health Services
for Smoky River Express
You’re going on a road trip – maybe you’re going camping, visiting friends or family, or doing a day trip.
You feel like eating a snack and reach for your go-to road trip snack.
Take a moment to think about what this snack is. Or did you forgot to bring a snack altogether?
Snacks can be an important part of healthy eating.
However the snacks that we eat while on the road are often quick, convenient, and can be full of salt, sugar and fat.
These include potato chips, candy, pretzels, and sugar sweetened drinks. These foods give you lots of calories but not many nutrients.
The next time you are planning a road trip, take a few extra minutes to plan some healthy snacks for the road too.
Here are some ideas:
. Cut up vegetables and fruit the night before, and store them in plastic containers for easy snacking. Eat them plain or with a low-fat dip.
. Throw some low-fat cheese and whole grain crackers or rice cakes into small re-sealable plastic bags.
. Make your own trail mix with assorted unsalted nuts, whole grain cereals and dried fruit.
. Air-pop some plain popcorn and add your favourite spice or salt-free seasoning.
. Sip on a homemade smoothie made with fresh, frozen or canned fruit, yogurt and milk or fortified soy beverage.
. Make mini snack-wraps with whole wheat tortillas, sliced meat, your favorite vegetables and shredded cheese. Wrap them tight in plastic wrap.
. Oven-roast some cooked chickpeas on a baking sheet until they are crispy and crunchy. Sprinkle on your favourite spice and store in an airtight container.
. Quench your thirst with water instead of pop, fruit drinks or energy drinks.
If you are bringing snacks that need refrigeration, remember to keep them in a cooler with ice packs.
These snack ideas can be great for any-time snacking, not just road trips.
Try making them for your child’s next school event or an after school or work snack.
For more information on healthy snack ideas, contact your local Public Health Centre and ask to speak with a dietitian.
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