Healthy eating on road trips – Idaho State Journal

If a road trip is part of your vacation, packing healthy foods is a great way to maintain healthy eating. Try these tips for safe and healthful food while traveling:

* Pack an ice-filled cooler along with fresh vegetables and fruit for snacks, such as cut broccoli florets, carrot sticks and apple and orange slices.

* For beverages, bring canned or boxed 100-percent fruit juice, canned tomato juice and bottled water.

* Bring boxes of raisins and re-sealable pouches of dried fruit, like apricots.

* Deli sandwiches, yogurt and low-fat cheese make a great lunch.

* Get out of the car every hour or two to take a short walk and stretch your legs.

Be sure to keep your backseat treats safe along with these easy tips:

* Pack easy-to-transport, shelf-steady foods. Good choices include cereal, trail mix, popcorn, and single-serve applesauce, cans of tuna, peanut butter sandwiches, fresh fruit, or nuts.

* Don’t let perishable food sit unrefrigerated for more than two hours, and make sure coolers remain at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Thermometers can be purchased for less than $5.

* In hot weather, place coolers and lunch bags in the back seat instead of the trunk. The environment tends to be cooler in the car, especially when the air conditioning is on.

* Make sure everyone in the family washes their hands along with soap and water before and after eating. If you don’t have actually access to a restroom, pack disposable hand wipes or hand sanitizer.

* Carry a bag to collect your garbage to deposit at the closest receptacle.

Be sure to plan for the climate. If it is hot, plan for extra water, light-weight clothing and hats. Make sure a person not traveling along with you knows where you will be and approximate arrival times. By following these simple tips, our travels can be safe and healthy.

Julie Buck, EdD, MHE, RD, is a registered dietitian, food safety specialist and health educator employed at the University of Idaho Extension, Bannock County. She can be reached at 208-236-7310 or jhbuck@uidaho.edu.