12 Healthy Snacks While Traveling

If you've ever traveled with kids, or just traveled on your own, you know how temping those little bags of cheap junk food can be.  Any time I had walk into a gas station or convenience store, I hear every bag of potato chips immediately scream my name.  I won't even get into how my mouth starts watering.

The next time we hit the road, let's pack a few of these healthy snacks and avoid the convenience store.  So while we're filling up the gas tank, we can avoid filling up on junk.

1. Trail mix--My kids love trail mix and there are so many options for building your own, making it easily customizable for your family's tastes and preferences.  Plus I love to throw in a handful or two M&M's as a treat for the kids.

2. Fresh fruits--Fresh fruit is a great option for being healthy and regulating your blood sugar.  Buy what's in season to save some money and still feel good about what you're feeding your kids.  Plus it's super portable.

3. Dried fruits--Dried fruit is a great option for when fresh fruit is out of season.  My favorites are the apple slices and dried berries.  Again, mix and match for your family's taste.

4. Yogurt cups--Yogurt cups work well if you can make a quick stop for lunch or snack.  A small ice chest is easy to place in the back seat.  This is another great option for regulating blood sugar if you watch your labels.  Don't forget the spoons!

5. Hardboiled eggs--Eggs are wonderful as well if you plan to stop.  Loaded with protein, eggs fill small bellies for those long road trips.

6. Ants on a log--These are an all around great snack for the family: veggie, peanut butter for protein, and a little sweetness in the raisins.  Looking to contain the mess?  Pack your celery sticks and peanut butter in a resealable jar.

7. Cheese and crackers--I love have cheese and crackers with us.  I can slice up some cheese before we leave home, pop it in the ice chest, and just pack a box of triscuits or wheat thins.  It's a great way to pack in some carbohydrates and protein quickly.  Plus it's easy finger food.

8. Fresh veggies--Along with fresh fruit, fresh veggies is an easy option.  There are so many choices as well: cucumber, carrots, celery, bell pepper, or cherry tomatoes.  Even an easy pre-made salad can be slipped into a small ice chest.  Plus veggies are packed with fiber to fill your up quickly without the extra junk.

9. Nuts--Nuts are wonderful as they're also packed with fiber, healthy fats, and protein.  Almonds, walnuts, pecans, ... all are wonderful options.  You can also save a ton of money buying them in bulk from the grocery store.  Mix them with dried fruit to make your own trail mix.

10. Seeds--Our family loves sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, especially when we can season and bake our own pumpkin seeds.  But there are plenty of other options as well: chai seeds and flax seeds to taste as well.

11. Popcorn-- Popcorn is so easy to travel with.  More resilient than crackers and chips, but still has the crunch.  And it's a great economical way to get whole wheat.

12.  Granola--Homemade granola is wonderful.  Our family loves a yummy variety we made loaded with pumpkin seeds, cranberries, and coconut.  It's easy, filling, and portable.

Bonus:

13. Lots of Water--We each have our own water bottle that we keep filled in the refrigerator.  Before we leave the house, we always grab those water bottles and fill them to the top.  Water will keep you hydrated and feeling great on the road.  Yes, you'll have to stop more for potty breaks, but really you're doing amazing things for your body so who cares?  Drink your water!

What are your favorite healthy snacks for the road?