Energy Snacks for Summer Road Trips

Disclaimer: Deborah Enos is a Paid Sponsor.

Lizanne Falsetto CEO thinkThin

I love a good road trip. At least once a year I take a pilgrimage from Seattle to northern California. I usually make the 12-hour trip in one day, which means I had better pack high-energy, healthy snacks.

Experience has taught me that if I don’t plan well, I’ll end up eating high fat, high sodium restaurant food that makes me feel lethargic and unmotivated — a potentially deadly combination behind the wheel.

The keys to feeling your best and staying safe on the road are eating good sources of protein and fiber and staying hydrated throughout the day. Funny, these are also the key components to keeping your energy high during your workday or at a weekend soccer tournament.

Why protein? Protein helps  to fill you up and keep hunger pangs from coming back too quickly. It also keeps your energy high and your mind engaged. Some go-to sources of protein for road trips are an ounce of nuts or a half cup of shelled edamame (soybeans). My favorite, thinkThin Bars have a whopping 20 grams of protein and almost no sugar.

Why fiber? It may not seem logical to include fiber in your road trip diet when restrooms may be few and far between, but fiber serves the important purpose of slowing down how quickly sugar hits the bloodstream. This means you’ll have more energy and a level mood — especially beneficial when traveling with cooped up kids!

Why water? When you get dehydrated, your mind will start to wander and fatigue will soon set in. There’s all kinds of different information out there on how much water to drink per day. My simple advice? If your urine is clear or almost clear, you’re drinking enough water. If your urine is dark orange, you may be dehydrated (or perhaps you have just taken some vitamins).

My favorite high-fiber snacks:

1. Sliced apples with a squeeze of lemon juice. The lemon juice helps keep the apples from turning dark. Costco carries pre-sliced, individually packaged apples in their produce department.

2. Blueberries and a half cup of low fat cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is a protein powerhouse. When combined with berries, it becomes a high-energy, high-fiber and antioxidant-rich snack.

3. Snap peas or sliced cucumbers dipped in hummus. Hummus combined with sliced veggies is high in fiber, protein and vitamins. Costco carries Sabra brand hummus packaged in individual serving sizes that are ready for your road trip.

4. Celery sticks with peanut butter, another great high fiber, high-energy snack. Use almond butter if you’re trying to lower your cholesterol levels.

5. Sliced yellow, orange or red bell peppers (green bell peppers are harder to digest). Sprinkle them with vinaigrette dressing and a tablespoon of feta cheese for a snack that’s high in vitamin C and fiber.

No Comments

Post A Comment