Summer is the time for adventures, so many of you might decide to engage in a fun road trip. Whether it’s a cross country trip or a short one, you will need something to keep you fresh and energized. That is why you should always be prepared and pack some snacks and drinks.
Nuts for Snacks
The most popular snacks are crisps, but they are packed with sugar. For hot days on the road, you will need something that has more nutrients. Thus, nuts make a perfect snack for the road. They are travel-friendly, salty and can satisfy your daily cravings. Grab a few plastic containers or bags and make your favourite nutty mix with walnuts, peanuts, almonds and so on. You can even throw a few dried pumpkin seeds and raisins into the mix and have a healthy snack filled with the good stuff only. In case you need some inspiration, here are several great mixes.
Plenty of Water
Let’s face it – you will be stuck in a metal box for a good part of your trip. It is hot outside, but the AC might only cause more damage than good. You will be sweating a lot, therefore losing a lot of water and energy. That is why you really need to hydrate your body.
The best solution is water, of course. However, bottled water is quite expensive and it’s not really eco-friendly. That is why you should prepare your own water. You could use, for instance one of those reverse osmosis water filters with cartridges to remove the bad stuff and keep the water in a thermos or recycled bottles. This way you can save some money, since you will need plenty of water for the trip, and manage to stay hydrated and happy.
Trip-Friendly Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and vegetables offer a perfect light snack that hydrates your body. Berries, apricots, grapes, apples, peppers and tomatoes are perfect refreshments, but you can also eat most of them dried. You can easily store fruits in smaller lidded containers and keep them in a travel cooler, so your healthy snack will always be at hand. However, you might want to stay away from fruits that could cause a mess in your car, such as cherries and watermelon, since you wouldn’t know what to do with the pits.
Cooling Cocktails
If you are looking for some additional fun on the road, you can always rely on alcohol. However, never drink and drive; this type of refreshment is only suitable if you are going to park you campervan and stay somewhere overnight or if you are travelling by bus or a train. Mix a few of your favourite cocktails and put them in a thermos bottle or a flask to keep them cool. Whether you like them fruity and sweet or not, they will certainly cheer you up, hydrate you and make the heat and travelling more bearable.
Energy Bars
Most of us turn to candy bars for energy while on the road. However, those delicious treats are packed with sugar and bad calories. So, whenever you are craving sweets on the road, you should turn to energy bars that have less sugar and more nutrients. You can pack a few granola bars to boost the protein and fibre intake or you can make your own energy bars. With these you will surely get the energy you lack during a hot summer day, but avoid the sugar trap.
Cheese and Crackers
For some extra boost during your trip you can turn to this classic combination. Cheese and crackers are filled with protein with whole-grain carbohydrates that will keep your hunger at bay. Prepare slices of your favourite cheese and some crackers and store them in a cooler. As soon as you start craving some food, take a few of those and you will be good for the rest of the trip. However, if you wish to combine them with something sweet, you can always throw a little peanut butter or apple slices on top.
Yogurt the Almighty
This dairy product can serve both as a light snack and a refreshing drink. Whether it is in a travel-friendly tube, mixed into a smoothie or combined with fruits and granola, it will be perfect for you and your family. It keeps you fresh, adds calcium and vitamin D to your daily nutrition and contains plenty of probiotics to keep your stomach healthy and prevent diarrhea. Just make sure to keep it in a cooler and you are good to go.
Healthy Sandwiches
Sandwiches are one of the most perfect and favourite snacks, and they can provide you with enough protein and grains to keep you well-fed. Not to mention how delicious and satisfying they are. Depending on the ingredients you choose, you might have to store them in a cooler. However, you can opt for some peanut butter jelly combinations that will satisfy both your hunger and a sweet tooth, but you don’t have to keep them cooled.
Nearly everyone loves road trips, but making frequent stops to get some food and drinks can be expensive and tiring. In order to solve both of these problems, make sure you have some of these snacks and drinks packed before you start the engine of your free campervan.
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