Let me start with this, I hate flying. So I have been on plenty of road trips. A year ago today I returned from the longest trip I’ve ever taken. My boyfriend and I, along with our one year old Boston Terrier, had just spent nearly 3 months away from home. I was fortunate to be able to intern with the sports dietitian at UCLA for a few months. It was an amazing experience and I enjoyed every minute. I considered flying, but realized having a car in Los Angeles would be necessary. And so began the road trip of a lifetime. But being away from home had its challenges, particularly when it came to eating and cooking. Whether you’re going to be gone 3 days, or 3 months, I’ve come up with a few ideas to help keep you on track when you’re on the go.
Bring Snacks
There is nothing worse than feeling hungry when you are stuck in a car. Even for short trips I come prepared with a bottle of water and several snacks. Buying individual snacks at rest stops and convenience stores can be expensive and options are limited. Purchasing snacks before you leave can also keep you from having to make extra stops while on the road. Some of my favorite items to bring on a road trip are mixed nuts, jerky, fresh and dried fruit, and always water.
Consider packing a cooler
For longer trips, bringing a cooler and ice packs can increase the variety of foods you are able to travel with. Items like fresh vegetables and hummus, yogurt and granola, or even a peanut butter and banana sandwich are great options. The combination of carbohydrate and protein in these choices will help keep you focused for the rest of your trip. Fiber rich foods, fruits and vegetables are often the first to go when traveling. Bringing a cooler while traveling can help keep these items from being eliminated.
For overnight and weekend trips
I generally try to stay at hotels that have breakfast included with the room. Some of my favorite hotel breakfast items include scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast or bagels, oatmeal, Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and vegetables. I try to limit eating out to one time a day, but even that can be difficult depending on where you are traveling. But bringing your own snacks can help curb hunger between meals and keep you from getting ravenous.
Extended trips
These types of trips can be very challenging and eating out often can be expensive, so it is important to be creative. It is much easier when you are staying in the same place for a week or two. During my extended trips, I always try to at least have a kitchenette where I am staying. This allows you to cook a few simple meals. I’ve always found it is much easier if you can have easy access to a grocery store when taking extended trips. My go to items for extended trips include:
- Oatmeal and grain dishes that only require water
- Rotisserie chicken and other precooked protein sources
- Precut fruits and vegetables
- Salad mixes
- I’ve also found it useful to save and reuse leftovers.
Bonus tip
Have a plan for when you return home. Whether it is prepping a few meals and freezing them, or stocking up on basic pantry items, having a plan can make the return home a little easier. This way you are not returning to an empty kitchen. Real life note-I did not think of this on my cross country road trip since my plans were not finalized until two weeks before leaving. Also, it was hard to think of something that was nearly 3 months away. My boyfriend and I were left scrambling for food when we finally returned. Since then, I have learned from that mistake and always have items either in the pantry or freezer. This is a great way to get you through until you make it to the grocery store. This tip is particularly helpful when you’re gone for a longer period of time, and leaving food in your fridge is not ideal.
How do you stay on track when you are traveling? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!