I love when CarlaGoldenWellness.com readers and Facebook friends ask questions and put me to the task of providing a thoughtful answer. Here’s a recent one….
Q: What healthy foods can I eat when I’m in my car going from appointment to appointment all day for work?
A: The original fast food: fruit! Many fruits are easy to pack, travel well and will provide you with ample fuel to get through those appointments with vigor. Nuts & seeds will provide a nice, convenient compliment and will help you feel satiated. Veggies will give you crunch-satisfaction, minerals and fresh breath.
In order to eat well on the road, you’re going to have to do some pre-planning the night before. A small cooler or insulated bag with a covered bento-style box, sectioned container, individual cups or zip bags will keep foods fresh, neat & safely accessible.
• Whole apples do not need slicing. Wash, dry and pack.
• Red or green grapes travel well. Wash, pluck from stem and pack.
• Oranges need to be pre-peeled. Easy to do, makes eating them later delightful and also adds a nice fragrance to your hands & car! Be sure to get small enough oranges which have slices that can be eaten in one bite. You don’t want to mess up your clothes with juice by biting them in half.
• An assortment of raw or dry roasted nuts and seeds (stay away from sugared or smoked) will give you some healthy fat & protein. No more than a cup is an adequate serving over several hours. Choose larger varieties so that they are easy to finger pinch & pop into your mouth.
• Carrot & celery sticks require washing, peeling (carrots) and cutting.
• Sugar snap peas just need a rinse before packing.
• Individual bite-size berries are a good choice. Be careful with blackberries which can stain your fingertips. Strawberries may need to be cut in half. Blueberries are perfect!
• An assortment of red, orange, yellow & green bell peppers sliced and packed is a healthy & hydrating snack.
• Cucumbers are refreshing and simply require washing, peeling (if desired) and slicing. English cucumbers are smaller in diameter and can easily be cut into one-bite pieces.
• Dehydrated fruit and trail mixes can be a treat. They tend to be high in calories & sugar so I don’t advise them every day, but they certainly are convenient. Raisins are a good option. Dehydrating bananas are the best way to make them travel-ready. Make sure store bought options are not full of colorings, added sweeteners and preservatives.
• Homemade popcorn is a great whole-grain, gluten-free snack. Pop the organic corn in peanut oil or ghee with sea salt for a high-volume, low density snack. Go easy on the oil/ghee so that the popcorn pops very dry and will leave no oily fingerprints in the car while being healthier for you.
• Small cherry or grape tomatoes are nature’s candy!
Foods that are too juicy can soil your clothes. Aim to make one piece equal one bite. Finger foods are best. Produce that is crunchy and robust stands a better chance of holding up well while in commute. Avoid these choices. Save them for home:
• Too soft: Ripe bananas bruise & mush easily…unless you are very careful with them. I travel with bananas often but I make sure they have a nice comfortable seat without anything touching them and I make sure to eat all of them because one trip is really all they can stand.
• Too juicy: Pineapple cubes tend to be too juicy and require two hands: one to put the cube into the mouth and the other to hold a cup or napkin under the chin. Peaches too!
• Too large: Grapefruit slices are usually too large for one mouthful. Biting them in half can become a juicy mess.
• Too complex: Salads are better enjoyed at a table with utensils.
• Too Demanding: Dips require two hands and too much attention. Resist the temptation to bring hummus, peanut butter or ranch dressing along.
• Too Messy: Rice cakes are terribly crumbly!
I’ve recommended some very healthful, fresh and hydrating foods to keep you fueled and full while commuting in the car. Because they are living foods (except for dehydrated, roasted and popped foods) your water intake requirement will be reduced eliminating the need to manage a water bottle while driving.
These foods will help you maintain your health goals, stay alert and keep your clothes & car clean. It might very well become your healthiest meal of the day!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Carla, I love this! Thank you so much. I travel a LOT – this also applies to flying (I can do 19 a month) – but not wanting to get sticky fingers or dirty clothes is still true.
Thank you! Sarah
Sarah Steele | Managing You Academy recently posted..You are the boss of you
Glad you found the post useful Sarah and thanks so much for popping in for a comment! 🙂 Wow, 19 flights in one month!
Good list, Carla! How about baby carrots that don’t need to be peeled? Also, I always keep a zip bag of almonds in my car – handy just after a workout or when I need an energy boost. I disagree about berries though – too small to fuss while driving, I think. And if they get squished, they are a big sticky mess. Bananas are good if they are just past green, which is how I like them. One reminder: make sure you have a bag in the car for cores, stems and peels so you can compost the remains later!
Thanks for the great suggestions & feedback, Lynne! You’re probably right on the berries. I’m not a fan of the flavor of baby carrots, but I know that they are SO convenient. I’d advise eating your bananas a bit riper to get the full benefit from the fruit. here’s how to tell when it’s ripe & ready: https://www.carlagoldenwellness.com/2012/08/13/how-to-know-if-your-banana-measures-up/
This is great. I love all your advice. Keep it coming please!
You’re welcome Sally! Thank you for being a faithful reader & supporter. Much love to you! <3
Oh Carla – this is perfect for my Prep box!
I’m so glad you came up with a comprehensive list, would love to make it into a chart and share with you? And thanks for the donation to Prep & Serve, which is perfect for a road trip or weekend box with all these small foods of various types.
Honestly, I loved the comment about a bag for apple cores and the like. Good plan to keep the car clean.
Marj Weir recently posted..Fri Oct 19 ’12 Announcement from Prep & Serve – the American Bento Box
Fabulous! Glad you like it Marj. I can’t wait to go roadtriping with my healthy snacks & your Prep bento box!
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