Heading out on a road trip this summer vacation? Or getting ready for a day trip by car or public transportation? Preparing to be away for hours or days with your family can take a lot of planning, when getting on the road, there is so much to prepare: toothbrushes, backpacks, phone chargers, directions, and more. And, any longer than one hour out will have the family grumbling about needing a snack.
While it’s tempting to stop at a local convenience store and grab a bag of chips when someone’s hungry, the contents of most pre-packaged products are high in salt or sugar.[1]
If you are trying to provide your family with healthy snack options on your next road trip or outing, here are a few suggestions:
- Pack ahead: Snacks to grab at the grocery store before hitting the road
- A bag of clementines go a long way
- Apples and a jar of peanut butter or other nut butter
- Carrots and hummus
- Dry, sugar-free (or very low sugar) cereal
- Shop smart: Snacks to purchase while on the road
- Trail mix
- Pretzels
- Granola bars
- Popcorn
Check labels of packaged foods for sugar and sodium content. According to the American Heart Association, they suggest choosing products with 15 to 30 grams of sugar per package[2] and less than 140 milligrams of sodium per package[3]. More information about reading nutrition labels can be found here.
Feel good about the snacks your family eats while on vacation or out and about for a few hours!
Photo courtesy of Today’s Parent
[1] Most pre-packaged meals, snacks for toddlers contain too much salt. American Heart Association. 2013 http://newsroom.heart.org/news/most-pre-packaged-meals-snacks-for-toddlers-contain-too-much-salt
[2] American Heart Association Sugar Guidelines. Family Education. 2016. https://www.familyeducation.com/life/sugar/are-we-too-sweet-our-kids-addiction-sugar
[3] How Much Sodium Should I Eat? American Heart Association. https://sodiumbreakup.heart.org/how_much_sodium_should_i_eat?utm_source=SRI&utm_medium=HeartOrg&utm_term=Website&utm_content=SodiumAndSalt&utm_campaign=SodiumBreakup
