People have found more and more creative ways to travel safely during the coronavirus pandemic, and with more and more people getting vaccinated, you might be ready to hit the road for a long-awaited vacation or visit with family or friends.
Whatever your reasons for traveling, eating right when you’re on the road can be a challenge. Whether you go by plane, train or car, you don’t have to let bad food choices bust your diet when you’re on the go.
With a little knowledge and some advance planning, you can steer clear of dietary roadblocks, says preventive medicine specialist Roxanne B. Sukol, MD.
So what are the healthiest travel snacks? She breaks them down by travel choice.
- Pretzel Sticks
The small packs of pretzels airplanes pass out is never enough, and some budget airlines have nixed all free snacks anyway! So pack your own Rold Gold sticks, and you won’t be stuck scraping the bottom of the complimentary bag or shelling out big bucks for airline food. Plus, a small bag will lay pretty flat, and as long as they don’t get stuck on the bottom of your luggage, it should resist most breaking and crumbling.
- Welch’s
These delicious fruit snacks pack 100% of the recommended amount of Vitamin C, vital to keeping everyone’s immune system up. As if that’s not enough incentive, chewy fruit snacks are a great way to combat the dreaded ear-popping in children. Have them chew the snacks during takeoff and landing to keep the eustachian tubes free and open.
- Organic Dried Apricots
Small but mighty, a bag of apricots is a must-have for travelers trying to eat right on a flight. Dried apricots are rich in fiber, and they contain even more potassium and iron than their fresh counterpart. Their high levels of Vitamin A also mean you’ll be protecting your immune system, which is super important while traveling.
- Babybel Cheese Wheels
You don’t have to be in first class to treat yourself. Mini Babybel Cheese is creamy and delicious, as well as a great source of calcium and protein. Your kids will love unwrapping their cheese treasure. Pair with your favorite crackers for a deluxe snack at 33,000 feet in the air.
- Crunchy Chickpeas
Snack guilt-free on these delicious falafel-flavored chickpeas from Saffron Road. These organic crunchy chickpeas are Non-GMO, gluten-free, and Halal, as well as serving up six grams of protein. Pack a bag for a quick bite, or to put some pizzazz on a boring in-flight salad.
- Mini Skinny Pop
You’ve probably seen the large bags of Skinny Pop in your grocery store, but the brand sells its delicious, low-calorie popcorn in a snack size that’s perfect for travel. The small bags are super lightweight, and you’ll be glad to have your popcorn fixed while watching the in-flight entertainment.
- GoGurt
While most yogurt is a no-go given TSA’s 3.4 ounce limit on liquids, GoGurt’s low-fat yogurt comes in 2-ounce tubes. It’s a great low-fat option for kids, and you can freeze them beforehand so they stay nice and cold throughout check-in.
