The Best Travel Snacks

Travel is always a little unnerving for me—even when things go according to plan. And then oftentimes, travel days don’t go well. We have increased layovers, long lines, and unfamiliar environments. I’ve learned that it is best to travel with snacks. Snacks help me and my family stay energized, balanced and happy.

Support yourself and your family while traveling this spring break. Here’s how:

Water
It’s a known fact that we mix up thirsty and hungry. And sometimes water intake drops on travel days. So travel with a water bottle and fill it up any chance you get.

Eating Regularly
Eating regularly to keep your blood sugar balanced is KEY for energy and mood on long travel days. That means, be prepared to snack or have a meal about every three hours-ish. It really helps to keep your wits about you.

What to Eat?
Don’t leave it to chance. It can be hard to ‘run into a gas station’ and find something healthy OR same in an airport (although it is easier than it used to be). Pack a snack bag if you’re driving OR flying to make eating healthy easy and accessible.

Our Favorite Pick Up & Portable Ideas:

• Fresh fruit and nut butter
• Nuts and seeds. I travel with zip-lock bags of different nuts and seeds: pecans, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pistachios, etc.
• Single-serving hummus and a bag of favorite veggies (snap peas, carrots, celery, jicama)
• An avocado with a bit of salt
• Cheese sticks (if dairy is tolerated) with a bag of crackers
• A higher protein, higher fat bar (I like peanut butter Perfect Bars OR Kind Bars)

Traveling by plane? You can take bags of nuts and seeds, sandwiches, wraps, crackers and even containers of yogurt, hummus or guac and they will get through security IF you pull them out and place them outside your bag—similar to your electronics. Food seems to trigger a bag check, but putting all food outside the bag helps the TSA agent to understand what is appearing on their security screen.

These suggestions are not that complicated. You can pick these items up the week before and it can help make your travel experience SO much better. Keeping yourself happy and your family happy as well!

For more info on family nutrition and making a plan you can stick to, dive into our Family Nutrition Makeover Plan. Book a free 20-minute consultation with Healthy Nest Nutrition owner Robin Hutchinson to see if our programs are right for you.