Summer is almost here. You might have a road trip planned. If you want to stretch your travel dollars without eating endless (and expensive) bags of processed food, then these ideas will help you out.
1. Stock up on produce that lasts.
If you waited until the day before or day of to get nutritious snacks, consider enlisting help at the last minute. Let the people you are traveling with grab their favorite raw vegetable or fruit to take on the trip. This will ensure that everyone eats something healthy they like while delegating the chore of shopping to others on the trip. When you divide and conquer while shopping, try not to duplicate items such as grapes or bananas that come in bunches, since you can share them.
2. Find low maintenance eats for a small cooler.
Many healthy snacks are sold in individual serving sizes. If you’re short on time, this can be an affordable, healthy option versus eating at a restaurant while on the road. Cottage cheese, yogurt and applesauce are sold this way and can make great choices for eating in transit. If time permits, these items can also be purchased in a larger containers and packed in the car before you leave. You can potentially reap a little more savings this way.
If you buy a larger container of something, such as yogurt or cottage cheese, you can divide it up into smaller containers before leaving home. These items can make great snacks and don’t take much preparation.
3. Go nutty.
Nuts contain healthy fats and protein. Pistachios are satiating, fiber-packed and have fewer calories than other nuts. They also meet the criteria for heart-healthy food, according to the American Heart Association. Consider packing some along with other nuts like walnuts, cashews and almonds for no-prep snack options. (Just be careful if you have toddlers in tow, because nuts are considered choking hazards.)
4. Wedges are in.
While wedge heels are very fashionable this summer, think about including wedges for snacks, too — fruit wedges, that is. Some of the best ones come in the color orange. Pack oranges, tangerines or clementines in your cooler or lunch bag. Cut oranges into actual wedges or share wedge-shaped pieces from the others. Christine Hickson of HealthyNow.ca explains that the fiber and natural sugars in these fruits keep your blood sugar level stable instead of causing a spike.
5. Go green with your snack.
The benefits of avocados are clear. According to WebMD, they contain 20 vitamins and minerals. They are also low in sugar and can lower bad cholesterol. So why not pack them as a snack? Guacamole can be a way to incorporate some of that goodness into your diet while traveling. Bring crackers, baked chips, vegetables and pretzels to use for dipping. Many grocery stores carry smooth or chunky options or you can always make it yourself.
6. Go Greek
Check out Pinterest to find recipes that can give you the most energy bang for your food budget buck. There are recipes for what is called refrigerator oatmeal. Combining equal parts of old-fashioned rolled oats along with Greek yogurt and fruit makes for a unique breakfast. Greek yogurt mixed with oatmeal and berries can be a simple way to have protein, carbs and fat all in one shot. Prepare some the night before and pop them in a cooler the next day before you leave for your trip. It will keep you fuller longer and help sustain energy during your travels.
7. Choose fruit you don’t have to rinse.
If you’re really in a rush or just don’t want to spend too much energy preparing the snacks, this tip can work to your advantage. Many fruits and vegetables can be eaten as is. You don’t have to rinse bananas or many other fruits that have to be peeled. You can also purchase apple slices that are very popular with children. They are portable and filling. (You might also want to pack some paper towels or baby wipes to clean sticky fingers.)
With little effort and planning, you can spend less and eat well while heading to your destination for summer fun.
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7 Healthy and Affordable Snack Ideas for Summer originally appeared on usnews.com
