Ahh, the open road. From towering mountain vistas in the West to the wild and sprawling beaches in the East, there’s nothing quite like catching a little white-line fever. Americana at its best. But the road can be long at times. Tedious. What keeps us awake? Caffeine? Sure. But what else?
That’s the question we intend to answer.
Whether you’re motoring long distances or navigating a full-size RV and setting up camp in a remote area, the road requires a proper diet and snack regimen. And let’s face it, truck stops and fast food aren’t exactly bastions of good decisions related to your health and fitness goals. But it’s not hopeless.
So, while caffeine is great for getting us going, it’s proper hydration and protein that provide the energy we require to keep going. With millions of Americans on the open road and the rapid expansion of the distribution of goods and products, the availability of healthy options has risen exponentially over the years. In fact, several truck stops and rest areas now have entire sections dedicated to healthy options!
But first things first
1. Hydration
When you’re getting on the road for hours at a time, proper hydration can be the difference between a comfortable stroll or a series of inconvenient stops due to leg cramps and the need to urinate frequently. It’s distracting and annoying, and for what? Not doing something as simple as drinking enough water?
Sixty-four ounces of water per day is the bare minimum for a comfortable ride. And that’s, of course, dependent on any number of weather and elevation variables. But if sixty-four is your baseline, you’ll find more comfort, longer cruise times, and getting to your destination—be it your in-laws or a campsite in the Joshua Tree National Park—rested and ready.
2. Nuts and Trail Mix
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. Snacks! Who doesn’t love road snacks? The trouble is, road snacks have traditionally been made up of greasy, salty chips, crumbly and messy cookies, and teeth-numbing sugar! Okay, okay. I, too, fancy a candy bar now and again or a bag of spicy chips to munch on. But there are other, often better options.
For instance, keeping a stockpile of nuts and trail mix is an excellent way to accomplish a number of goals. After all, these items are typically sold as single-serving portions, they’re high in protein, and they’re filling. Bonus: You still get to experience the old-school salty road snack! (And now you know why I started with hydration.)
Nuts and trail mix packs are made for the road to help keep you in balance. They’re also a great snack to stash in a pocket or a backpack for a long hike away from camp. And here’s a kicker—they pair perfectly with our third category!
3. Fruit
Okay, so now we’re drinking our water, chomping on our nuts and trail mix, but it feels like we could bring a little more zing to this party. What might compliment this rabble of delicious healthy snacks, I wonder? How about a banana?! An apple?
Fruit as a road snack is a fantastic option to satisfy a craving. Just imagine it… You’re listening to a great tune, windows down, the air rushing all around you, with your arm half-cocked on the steering wheel, taking a large bite and a long chew of a delicious apple. And as you finish one of those chews, you know—when all the flavor is still there? Throw in a handful of salted cashews (or whichever nut you prefer). The flavor combination is incredible! And you’re packing in vitamins and fiber, too. All the while staying squarely in the middle of your nutritional commitments (and joys).
But let’s say you’re not interested in all that work. Munching on a piece of fruit and backloading with a handful of trail mix can be a bit of a chore, I suppose…
4. Protein Bars and Granola
We all know the words “Protein Bar” in a single phrase don’t tend to conjure childhood memories of a delicious snack. For a long time, these things served a purpose. Provide protein or prevent you from crashing during a long hike or bike ride. Taste was merely an afterthought. But not anymore…
With such a large movement of people more seriously considering what they’re putting in their stomachs, there’s been a variable race to develop healthier options that don’t TASTE like healthier options. And there are some excellent options in the market. (Really!)
Whether your fix is chocolate, granola and raisins, granola and chocolate, or any combination therein, keeping these handy, fun-sized snack bars around provides a wealth of nutrition, plenty of protein, vitamins, and, yes – a little sugar. But if you’re drinking your water and munching on protein bars, you’re guaranteed to feel pretty good whenever you climb out of your vehicle!
Still, while we’re drinking our water, chomping on nuts and trail mix, throwing in the occasional piece of fruit, or munching on a rich, chocolaty protein bar (which also pairs well with a banana, by the way), we now come to the king of the road…
5. Jerky
Let’s be honest: jerky has been the king since long before roads were even paved. The hearty, salty, sometimes spicy hunk of chewy goodness (made of beef, buffalo, turkey, chicken, wild game, fish, or even mushrooms) is nice anytime! However, it’s especially good when you’re out in the world, miles from a sit-down meal. And sure, jerky can be salty (though there are low sodium options), but more and more entire truck stops are basing their very existence on their jerky sales!
But why is jerky the king? Because it lasts. Packing away your favorite jerky provides a constant opportunity to satisfy that salty craving and load up on protein while skipping the energy-depleting refined carbs. In my opinion, no road trip is complete without it!
In summary, it’s all about your hydration first, but consider what you munch on because eating the right snacks can be what propels you into setting up a great campsite!
