By Stacey Stein
With international travel plans on hold,
many of us have whiled away the summer exploring local destinations. From day
trips to nearby beaches and hikes in provincial parks to weekend cottage
respites and extended camping trips, we’ve found many different ways to make
the most of this unique summer. The good news is, with several more weeks of
mild weather ahead, there’s still time to fit in a road trip – or two – before
cooler climes set in.
Whether you’re planning a day trip or a
longer road journey, fueling yourself with energy-packed foods is just as
important as fueling your car. Loading up your vehicle with grab n’ go processed
snack foods might seem convenient, but this won’t provide you with much
sustenance. And no one wants to be cranky and hungry when faced with countless
hours on the road.
Fear not: we have several smart snack
solutions to ensure your “last hurrah” of the season road trip is a success.
Smart snacking on the road
What defines a smart road trip snack food? The
snack should give you long-lasting energy, it should be easy to pack and store,
and ideally it won’t create much mess in your car. When looking for snacks that
will keep you energized, registered dietitian Shannon Crocker says you should seek
out whole food ingredients – think cheese, nuts, whole grains, veggies and
fruit.
“If you’re buying a packaged snack, look
for something that isn’t ultra-processed beyond something you recognize,”
Crocker advises. And while we may want to cram the car with our favourite
sweets, there’s good reason to resist this temptation. “Sugary snacks will make
your energy crash and leave you feeling even more hungry,” she says.
Crocker adds that you’re best off packing items
that have at least one of these satisfaction-boosting ingredients: protein,
fibre, and healthy fats.
Snack type: crunchy
Chips, pretzels, cheezies… these popular
snacks might seem like perfect road trip fare, but lots of salt will leave you
feeling thirsty while empty calories won’t satisfy hunger pangs for long.
Enter Ivanhoe Nothing but Cheese, which Crocker describes as “cheese with a crunch.” It does a great job at satisfying crunchy snack cravings, but is packed with good-for-you ingredients. “It’s an awesome snack because it’s 100 percent Canadian cheese,” says Crocker, adding that cheese is high in protein and also has calcium. “Each 60 gram serving has 11 to 12 grams of protein, there’s no added sugar, plus it’s keto-friendly and gluten-free. It’s also the ultimate in convenience because it’s packable.” It gets even better: you can now conveniently order Ivanhoe Nothing but (in both the Monterey Jack and Cheddar flavours) on Amazon, saving you a trip to the grocery store. “Grab a bag, put it in the car and away you go,” says Crocker. “It’s great for active living and an on-the-go lifestyle.”
Ivanhoe’s Nothing but is also versatile: use it to make this crunchy cheddar popcorn mix, which will help fuel you during long stretches on the road. “Popcorn is whole grain and gives you gut-loving fibre, which helps you stay fuller longer, so it’s a satisfying snack,” says Crocker.
Another good crunchy snack option is a
homemade trail mix, which Crocker says is “super nutritious,” thanks to the
protein and healthy fats in the nuts. It’s also easy to make: toss some nuts,
seeds and dried fruit together and you’re good to go. You can make a big batch
of trail mix ahead of time and pack it into individual containers.
You can also opt for the original crunchy
snack food: good old-fashioned veggies, like fibre-filled sugar snap peas or
carrot sticks.
Snack type: sweet
When thinking of grab n’ go snacks that will
satisfy our sweet cravings during countless hours of driving, granola bars are
often the first thing that come to mind. Store-bought granola bars can be
loaded with sugar, so check the ingredient list to make sure the bars are low
in added sugars. Crocker says to look for energy bars made with whole food
ingredients like nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
As an alternative, you can opt to make your
own energy balls – try these protein-rich berry
coconut bliss balls. Healthy fats from the almond butter and almond flour provide
a nutritional boost, while the sweet berry flavour will make these a hit with pint-sized
road trippers. “Protein from the Nordica Smooth cottage cheese and healthy fats
from the almond butter and flour combine together to make this a satisfying
snack,” says Crocker.
Muffins are another perfect road trip snack
that will help satisfy your sweet tooth. Loaded with fibre, these cinnamon
orange bran muffins are both portable and healthy. Crocker recommends
replacing the sour cream with smooth cottage cheese for an extra hit of
protein. To up the healthy factor even more, add in some shredded carrots or
grated zucchini.
Fruit is the ultimate grab n’ go sweet
travel snack food. “It comes in its own little travel pack,” says Crocker,
adding that several fruit are in season right now, such as peaches, nectarines
and blueberries.
Snack type: chocolatey
Chocolate bars seem tailor-made for road
trips: they’re highly portable, provide a jolt of energy, and satisfy the
chocoholic in us. But the downside is that they’re packed with calories and
fat, lack nutritional value, and the sugar high is followed by an energy crash.
Replace sugary chocolate bars with
healthier alternatives that will still satisfy your chocolate cravings, like
this chocolate chip-studded baked
banana chip oatmeal to go or these oatmeal
everything cookies, which include dark chocolate chips. These chocolatey
snacks are just as portable and packable as a chocolate bar, but provide
longer-lasting satisfaction.
To make these snacks even more nutritious,
Crocker recommends replacing the sour cream with Nordica Smooth cottage cheese
in the oatmeal to go, and mixing in some extra nuts, seeds and dried fruit when
preparing the oatmeal everything cookies.
Snack type: cooler fare
The humble cooler is a road trip mainstay,
so what should you pack in yours? Crocker recommends nutrient- and protein-rich
snacks to keep you energized on the road. Individual packs of Nordica Smooth
cottage cheese are low in calories and high in protein while being mess-free
and easy to store (just be sure to pack a spoon). Cheese also scores big points
for long-lasting satisfaction thanks to its high protein content. Pack some
cubed Black River cheese into your cooler for the ultimate in snacking
convenience. Veggies and dip is a perennial favourite, loved by kids and adults
alike. Sugar snap peas, baby carrots and peppers all pair nicely with
protein-packed hummus or a flavourful Nordica Smooth dip.
Last but not least….
Stocking your car with beverages for your
road trip is just as important as packing snacks. “Staying hydrated is the key
to staying alert,” says Crocker. Loading up on water bottles will prevent you
from picking up sugar-sweetened beverages on pit stops. If you want more
variety, you can fill insulated thermoses with iced coffee, homemade iced tea
or homemade lemonade.
Finally, don’t forget to pack snacks for
the four-legged members of your crew! Made with cottage cheese and Ivanhoe’s
Nothing but Cheese, these cheesy
peanut butter dog biscuits will keep your furry road trip companion happy
and satisfied.
