Written by Sylvia Geiger MS, RD, CD, Price Chopper Community Nutritionist

For many families the start of summer  signals a time for a special adventure known as the “Family Road Trip.” Everyone packs into the car with their gear and everything they need to head down the highway to visit long lost family, far away National Parks or other memorable destinations.

Eating well during these trips can be a challenge. There’s often little time to stop for a meal, and when you do the choices aren’t always great and can become expensive. Packing some snacks is a good way to keep you fueled up until you can stop for a real meal. Snacking in the car can have its drawbacks.  It’s easy to mindlessly polish off chips and candy by the bagful, leaving no one satisfied and everyone thirsty.  

Here are some ideas for healthy foods that travel well, without making a mess of your car. 

• It doesn’t get any easier than packing dried raisins, apricots, pears or a dried fruit mix.
• Whole fruits such as apples, bananas, mandarins and berries travel well.  Cut fruits or packaged fruits are also good but are prone to leave you with sticky fingers.  Pack some wipes.
• Baggies full of pre-cut veggies such as peppers, carrots, celery or cucumbers are great as a mindless eating distraction—sometimes you just want to chomp on something.
• Cheese sticks are easy, filling and nutritious.  Most are fewer than 100 calories.
• Yogurt cups are an excellent choice if you can deal with the potential mess factor.
• Pack some 100-calorie snack packs.  Although slightly more expensive, everyone gets their own bag and you’re less likely to go overboard.
• Nuts and trail mix are super easy, but they’re high in calories, so go easy.
• Premade sandwiches, muffins and bagels are great options if you can plan ahead.
• Packaged crackers and snack foods have their place on a car trip.  Use the NuVal scores to make the healthiest selections.

Not planning a road trip this week? 

Recipe Ideas using this week’s sale items

All main ingredients are on sale

 (NuVal score for raw ingredient in parentheses.)

Chipotle-Marinated Pork Tenderloin & Oven-Fried Chicken

• Chipotle-Marinated Pork Tenderloin  or Oven Fried Chicken (39)
•  Cheesy Broccoli-Potato Mash (100)
  

  Cheesy Broccoli Mash

•  Make a salad with a packaged Dole Salad Mix
• Cut up Fresh Mini Watermelons or a bowl of Fresh Strawberries