If your family is like many other American families you are busy during the summer. You have planned a family vacation and you need to start thinking about what types of snacks you can take with you while you are en route, and what to eat while you are away.
Here are my five favorite essential snacks. I always bring them when I am traveling with my family.
Fruit is my Favorite
Fruit is my number one choice. Why? Because adults and children love fruit! Summer is the peak time for so many different kinds that no matter where you go you can find a fruit that's fresh and in season.
Oranges and bananas travel well because their skins protects them from getting bruised or damaged. Berries and cherries in a zip lock bag work well too.
The best way to get your family to eat fruit is to cut it up and serve it in an air-tight container. If people cans see it, they will graze and eat it. Cut-up fruit can travel well to a picnic, the beach or in the car.
Trail Down the Highway with Mixed Nuts and Dried Fruit
Trail mix is a great way to fill up your family with healthy protein and carbohydrates. You can find trail mixes everywhere these days. As a pre-vacation activity you can make your own trail mix with your kids using your favorite nuts and dried fruit combination.
Popcorn and Multigrain Chips
Popcorn has tons of fiber and can be made in minutes. Multigrain chips are a great alternative to greasy potato chips. Multigrain chips give your kid fiber and texture.
Multigrain chips can be gluten-free so read the labels if you need to avoid gluten.
Hand-held Roll-up Sandwiches
You can take deli slices, lettuce and carrots and roll them in tortillas to make a sandwich. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and put them bags for the road or the beach. I actually prefer to use leftover carry-out containers that are at least 6" in diameter for the sandwiches as they act as plates to which you can add chips and fruit. This makes for a complete lunch in one place.
I prefer not to buy deli meat that contains nitrates. The reasons for this would be perfect for a future blog post.
Water for Hydration
On the road it is easy to get sugary drinks for the kids but there is no substitute for water. It is important drink plenty of water especially if you are outside for long periods of time. Make sure to alternate any other beverages with water.
Remember sugary drinks have been implicated in packing on pounds. They also create a rush of sugar into the blood stream that can cause you to get hungry faster.
What I've noticed when traveling, especially with kids, is that if you give them healthy options they will eat healthy options. If you give your kids unhealthy snacks they will eat those.
Here is my challenge to you this year. Consider bringing only healthy snacks and watch your kids eat them. They might balk for a couple of minutes but if you ignore their complaints they will forget them and by Day Two they will be eating healthy and enjoying it.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's Bio:
Dr. Daemon Jones is your diabetes reversal, hormones, metabolism and weight loss expert. Dr. Dae is a naturopathic doctor who treats patients all over the country using Skype and phone visits. Visit her or schedule a free consultation at her website www.HealthyDaes.com/
Sources:
25 Healthy Snacks for Kids. (November 2012) Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Retrieved July 08, 2014 from
http://www.eatright.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=108253
"Road Trip Snacks: The Best Foods for a Family Drive." Healthline. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2014.
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/healthy-road-trip-snacks
"Sugary Drinks." The Nutrition Source. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 July 2014.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/sugary-drinks
Reviewed July 9, 2014
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith