Food on the road - Mouths of Mums

Planning a road trip over the coming weeks? With a little bit of forward planning you can hit the road with healthy food for the trip.

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The best options are low in saturated fats and low in sugar.

Try to schedule in regular breaks so everyone, including the driver, can stretch their legs and get some fresh air.

Bring along an esky filled with nutritious food to feed the family and you will be on a winner with both your waistline and your wallet.

Here are some tips on what to take:

Load up on celery, carrot sticks and fruit and take some low fat dips to share.
Bring plenty of water; it will keep you hydrated.
My Mini Quiches can be made ahead and frozen until the day you travel and they can be eaten without a plate or cutlery.
When packing sandwiches go for Tip Top 9 Grain Bread and healthy fillings such as chicken breast, turkey, lean ham, low fat cheese. Pack salad items separately to be added when ready to eat; this way you avoid ‘soggy sangas’.
Pre-bake some homemade biscuits, muffins or my Symple Brownies for a delicious morning or afternoon tea snack.
Nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts or a mixture of dried fruit and nuts are easy to take on a trip. Pack them in individual bags.

When keeping it healthy here are a few things to keep in mind:

If buying meals, bypass drive through options as they aren’t sustaining.
Skip greasy hot chips; they will only weigh you down and leave you feeling tired.
Forget soft drinks as these will cause sugar highs and lows; not ideal for a road trip.
Forget chocolates and lollies for the same reason.
Ease up on the coffee it’s a stimulant and will dehydrate you. I would recommend that you drink lots of water or herbal teas on the road as this will keep you hydrated and alert.

Do you have any other tips for foods to take on a road trip? Please SHARE in the comments below.

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32 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 30 Nov 2021
    1:00 pm
If we took a road trip then it was a treat and something special so we had treats on the way.

- - mom105503 said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    11:35 am
We do a huge amount of travelling long distances and often pack a healthy snack pack to keep in the car so if hunger strikes between stops, there is always a great snack to eat for kids.

- - mom112217 said
  - 16 Jan 2016
    5:24 pm
We always prefer our own food but sometimes when in a hurry it’s not possible,great tips!

- - mamavon said
  - 13 Jan 2016
    1:16 pm
Good tips. We tend to eat healthy at home so when we go on a road trip, it is naughty food time. It is sort of like a treat as we seldom do road trips. Is that bad?

- - jammyjams said
  - 10 Jan 2016
    12:33 am
great tips, that can also be implemented in the hoome not jut the car
- symplytoogood replied
  
  11 Jan 2016 , 5:21 pm
  Absolutely! Start with the healthy food at home then when travelling it’s a natural progression to bring your own healthy snacks. And those roadside cafes are so expensive!
- - coastalkaryn said
  - 09 Jan 2016
    8:32 pm
can you believe Chrissy is over already?

- - ella12 said
  - 06 Jan 2016
    3:44 pm
Some great tips, I must remember these.

- - linaianna said
  - 01 Jan 2016
    10:00 am
Great tips but that naughty food always gets there in the end.

- - Kasey said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    10:19 pm
Great tips…..usually ours consists of lollies and chips woops!

- - mom160421 said
  - 30 Dec 2015
    10:38 pm
We don’t often go on long road trips, but these tips are useful even for shorter distances.

- - mum888 said
  - 25 Dec 2015
    8:23 pm
No matter if I am even driving locally I have a bottle of water in the car. Sometimes If I am driving a bit further I even bring a box of biccies and my brother does the same thing . I never feel secure on the road for some reason and it is more of a secure feeling to make me feel better.

- - mom101628 said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    3:36 pm
These tips are great for any age group – you keep eating healthy especially when all you can find on the road are those cafes and fast food outlets that only seem to sell the greasies.
- june11 replied
  
  21 Jan 2016 , 6:22 pm
  Not all cafes serve greasy food. Some that are freshly cooked and reasonably priced are the ones the truck drivers use. If the quality of the food goes down and prices increase much word soon goes around amongst them and they use others. They are normally big serves too – for everybody and the same prices charged. A few that the truckies frequent also have free tea and coffee, you make it yourself and no limit applies….If travelling interstate, bear in mind that some fruit and vegetables can’t be taken across the border to prevent the spread of diseases or fruit fly etc. Sometimes there is roadside stops and inspectors there. I’ll warn you, some inspectors will check in everything including luggage if it is known that there is a problem with produce in the adjoining state at all. There is “honesty” bins there for you to put them in.
- - mom71820 said
  - 15 Dec 2015
    3:36 pm
Great tips for our big road trip in the NY. Thanks!
- symplytoogood replied
  
  16 Dec 2015 , 9:54 am
  You’re welcome. Enjoy your trip!
- - rachelvk said
  - 14 Dec 2015
    10:26 pm
We go on several road trips (and flights) every year and I always end up just taking pouches of food (fruit/veg purees and custards) and snack bars for the little one because I can never think of easy, healthy options I can prepare and take. I will definitely be using some of these ideas for our next trip. Thanks!
- symplytoogood replied
  
  15 Dec 2015 , 10:09 am
  You are most welcome:-)
- - rovermum said
  - 14 Dec 2015
    2:45 pm
We’re heading on a Road Trip in the New Year so these tips are fantastic. We are planning a stop or two along the way, but I know my son will want snacks. I’ll certainly be taking these on board.

- - mars2370 said
  - 12 Dec 2015
    11:49 pm
We pack yoghurt pouches, fruit, cheese and crackers and water in a small esky for road trips. Cheaper than buying while on the road.

- - mom93821 said
  - 12 Dec 2015
    7:49 pm
We always plan meals/snacks/food for trips as it is better for our bodies and budget.

- - mum888 said
  - 12 Dec 2015
    12:29 pm
We have been doing this packing and organising from the time my kids were babies and now they are in high school , I am still prepared even on local trips. What I found with kids is they go thirsty quickly. Even if you run out of food make sure you have plenty of water. My doctor always says dehydration is what damages the body the most , not when you are starving from hunger .
- mom93821 replied
  
  13 Dec 2015 , 5:57 am
  We always have extra water on board for all trips – even quick trips!
- - mom134803 said
  - 12 Dec 2015
    7:32 am
Yes we always pack lunches in a cool box. I often put some bottles of frozen water in it to keep it cool and which can be drank later in the day. I might add some homemade mango-coconut ice-cream in pots and often add also some boiled eggs, fried tempeh, raw mushrooms and roma cherry tomato’s and homemade chocolate coconut nut balls as a special treat.

- - mom66084 said
  - 11 Dec 2015
    10:39 am
I really do love Mouth of Mums. Its so insightful, lots of ideas. And a forum for all Mums..to have a rest and have a break. I love the ideas ‘food for road trips’.