Summer means vacation and vacation means travel. Whether day-tripping or driving cross-country, traveling with kids can be hard. So pack a cooler of healthy snacks to keep them happy. Here’s an A-Z car snacks menu that’s low sugar so kids don’t get wild, low salt so they don’t too get thirsty, high protein to fill them up and high fiber so they don’t get travel constipation (that’s a thing. I used to get it at summer camp).
A–apples with almond butter, almond milk (doesn’t spoil as quickly) dried apricots, low sugar apple juice, avocado slices
B–bananas, berries, bread sticks, broccoli florets and raspberry vinaigrette
C–baby carrots and cauliflower florets, cheese and crackers
D–homemade ranch dip (Parmesan cheese, yogurt, black pepper, garlic) and sliced vegetables
E–hard-boiled eggs
F–dried fruit, cut fruit, figs
G–granola, GORP (good old raisins and peanuts), grapes, guacamole
H–hummus and homemade pita chips (pita bread toasted and cut in triangles)
I–Individual fruit or pudding cups
J–juice boxes
K–Kashi or other dry breakfast cereal trail mix. Blend similar flavors of finger-friendly cereal–Chex, Cheerios, Life
L–licorice (low sugar), lemonade
M–soy milk (non-refrigerated kind), low-fat muffins
N--nut and seed medley. Mix almonds, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts, cashews, filberts, macadamia, pecans, pumpkin and sunflower seeds
O–olives (drained), South Beach Diet, Kellogg’s, Luna, Bare Naked oatmeal protein bars
P–pretzels, popcorn, cold pizza, pumpkin cookies (make your own from All Recipes).
Q–quick oat no-bake cookies. Here’s an easy recipe from Food Network.
R–Roll-ups. Spread tortilla with cream cheese. Layer nitrate-free lunch meat, leaf lettuce, tomato. Place cheese stick in center. Roll, slice in pinwheels.
S–Sandwich squares. Make PBJ, egg salad sandwiches (easy on condiments for less mess).
T–baked tortilla chips and salsa
U–upside-down, inside-out cookies. Crush graham crackers, add raisins, blend with peanut butter and vanilla. Form into balls. Roll in powdered milk.
V–cut veggies and dip, vegetable chips
W–water, watermelon chunks
X–extra napkins (I’ll bet you wondered what I’d find for “X”!)
Y–yogurt cups, yogurt covered pretzels
Z–zucchini spears and cheese dip (blend shredded cheese, cream cheese, celery seed, dill, yogurt)
Pack in individual snack bags or Bento boxes so each child gets his own. An alphabet of healthy snacks to keep your little travelers satisfied and happy!
