When making a road trip, whether you actually have a destination or you’re really just going for the trip itself, there are quite a lot of things you need to prepare before leaving in order to have everything you need. The last thing you want to happen is to forget packing a pillow, coming up with an emergency plan for peeing in the car, or even knowing what to do in a car emergency.
So, it’s all about the planning before heading out. You definitely don’t want to leave the packing stage up to the day of, as that’s just asking to forget essential items. You should begin packing the most essential things at least a week before heading out. That way, you’ve already begun packing some things and you’ll be able to throw a few more things on the pile each day leading up to the trip.
One of the biggest things that happens on road trips that people absolutely do not prepare for, though, is having enough snacks. And pulling off to multiple gas stations along the way really slows down the trip overall. And, as you’re well aware, it makes the trip more expensive since gas station foods are much more expensive than getting them at an actual grocery store. It’s the convenience of it all that drives that price up.
So, here are a few snacks that make perfect on-the-go eats while you’re in the midst of a road trip. And as a bonus, they’re much healthier and dentist-approved than alternatives such as chips or candy.
Seeds.
Whether they’re sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or even popcorn, kernels and seeds are quite healthy all around. So long as they’re not loaded with salt or artificial flavors, these are great go-to snacks when on the go.
Nuts and legumes.
From cashews and almonds to snap peas and corn nuts, these snacks are always loaded with protein and can be quite good at “cleaning” your teeth while you eat them. Again, try to stray from any of these that have too much sodium and you’re good to go.
Fruits.
Right. Simple, old-fashioned fresh fruit. For whatever reason, this isn’t the first thing people think of when they imagine a snack. And that applies to snacks on the go while you’re in the car, too. It’s likely because so many other “snacks” are pushed in our faces in every store we enter and fruit doesn’t happen to be any of those.
A great thing about taking an apple, orange, or banana on the go is that the “waste” part of the food isn’t actually wasteful to the environment. So feel free to chuck it out the window when you’re done. It’s actually beneficial to the environment!
I’m pretty stoked for the upcoming spring season. I mean, I guess I am every year because it’s my favorite time to be outside and enjoying the atmosphere. The air beings restoring humidity, the plants show off their greens in full bloom, and birdsong plasters the air. In terms of seasons, nothing else beats it.
But another huge reason I’m quite stoked for spring is because I’ll be able to go hiking once again. It’s been quite awhile since I last hiked, but I miss it quite a bit. Hiking is one of those things that just puts me out in the wilderness and forces my body to keep going.
Now, a big part of hiking that a lot of people don’t quite understand is that you need to be prepared for it. Being in shape is the first thing so many underestimate with nature. Not just anyone can get up and make a 6 mile hike up a decent sized mountain. It takes some cardio training and incline work to be used to that sort of ascent.
The other thing, though, is having appropriate gear. Moisture wicking clothes are important in both cold and hot weather. Trail shoes or hiking boots are essential for grip and ankle support. And you’ll definitely need some sort of well-balanced pack in order to keep water, food, shelter, and other items (like safety things and the likes) in order to make a longer trip or even thru hike.
But when it comes to packing snacks, sometimes it can be hard to know what you’ll be craving or even be able to stomach while pushing your body to its limits. It’s not as tough as you’d think, though. Here are a few snacks to bring along while hiking your next trip.
Jerky.
Jerky gets the job done in so many different scenarios, but hiking proves quite perfect for this snack. It has enough protein and carbs to re-energize you, lasts quite awhile, and is small and easy to pack in plastic bags.
Granola bars.
These are full of essential sugars, nutrients, and carbs to give you a boost while on the move. You don’t need to stop to eat them, they take up very little space, and they’ll curb your appetite until after the hike is over or until you set up camp for the night.
Trail mix.
Ahh. True to its name, trail mix is perfect when on the go and on the trail. It’s generally quite healthy and has enough sugars, carbs, and protein to fuel you while you’re pushing through the brush. Again, like the snacks above, this food is compact enough to pretty much take up no room in your pack.
When attending something that can drain the absolute energy out of you over the span of 3 to 4 days such as a large music festival, having the right snacks and drinks available is very important in order to keep you hydrated and going late into the night.
And the thing is, a lot of people actually underestimate the amount of food and water they need to bring to gatherings such as these, so we’ve come up with a handy list of snacks to bring along that your dentist would be proud you brought.
Trail mix.
As “bland” as some people consider this snack, it’s very healthy for your body and teeth. Nuts make up the majority of trail mix and are great at self cleaning your teeth while you chew them. On top of that, they’re packed with protein and other good nutrients to energize you when you’re feeling drained. And on top of that, they’re usually low calorie yet curb your appetite in the middle of the day.
As a bonus, bringing in trail mix can help you save money so that you aren’t buying overpriced food within the festival itself. Hooray for saving.
Jerky.
Oh man. This has got to be the best snack out of any in my opinion. Not only does jerky cost little to make on your own, it’s absolutely a godsend during the dead heat of a summer music festival. While the salts in it can definitely make you thirstier and feel more dehydrated (you should have this taken care of with plenty of water though), the protein and sugars within are enough to keep you feeling full of stamina for the day. Or at least until dinner.
And guess what? Jerky has no problem lasting throughout the entire festival. Chew on it as long as you can to get the most out of it.
Applesauce to-go packets.
I just found out about these last year during my trip to Bonnaroo and they were spectacular. First off, applesauce is a great and healthy source of energy to get your sugar levels up while consuming practically no calories. But having them in these to-go pouches is the real pro move. Think about lugging around cups of applesauce and having to get a spoon out to eat it. No bueno, compadre. But with a little pouch that has its own mouthpiece for “drinking” the applesauce, you can easily consume it and recycle it within a minute of opening. It’s quick, it’s efficient, and it’s yummy.
No matter what way you go about snacks at major music festivals, the best advice I can give is pack more than you think you’ll need. There’s nothing worse than running out of food halfway into a weekend festival and then having to spend tons of money within festival grounds just to keep yourself fed and happy. Setting aside some cash for nicer food within the festival is always fun, but it’s not great to rely on that overpriced food.