Healthy Snacks for Long Road Trips

Planning a road trip soon? Don't throw healthy eating out the window. Select healthy snacks to avoid the sluggish feeling caused by munchies high in fat and sugar. When selecting road trip snacks, consider certain factors such as its portability and who will be eating it. These ideas will get you started.

1. Pop light microwave popcorn or make it in a hot-air popper. Sprinkle on parmesan, garlic powder or ranch dressing mix. This filling, high-fiber favorite is suitable for kids and vegetarians, although it might be difficult for a driver to eat unassisted.

2. Grapes, cherry tomatoes or baby carrots are both portable and nutritious. Kids love bite-size foods, and if you have vegetarians in your group these are a safe bet. Served in cup holder sized containers, the driver can easily indulge as well.

3. Along with calcium and energy-producing protein, yogurt has probiotics to help you stay healthy during your trip. When it's packaged in tubes, everyone from little ones to the driver can enjoy it. Yogurt may not be suitable for certain vegetarian diets.

4. Crunchy soy nuts are a road trip snack that packs a big nutritional punch, such as filling fiber and protein. They come in a variety of yummy flavors such as salted, garlic and even wasabi. Most soy nuts are vegetarian-friendly, and kids will like certain flavors.

5. String cheese is low in fat but high in calcium and protein, making it a healthy snack that will keep kids busy on a road trip. Drivers can bite the cheese like a bar, rather than peeling it. They are individually packaged, so you can dole them out as needed. Vegetarians who abstain from dairy products cannot eat string cheese.

6. Mix up nuts and a variety of dried fruits for a crunchy, sweet road trip snack that's high in protein and fiber. Serve in cup holder-sized containers so the driver can dig in easily. Kids love this vegetarian-friendly snack, too, although there is a risk of small children choking on the small pieces.

7. Fig bar cookies, such as Fig Newtons, are an indulgent yet healthy snack option. They are low in fat and provide nutritional value similar to that of an energy bar. Kids love the soft cookies and they are easy for everyone in the car to eat, although they might not be suitable for a vegan diet.

8. For a snack that is portable, filling and loaded with protein, pack some peeled hardboiled eggs. Kids like to eat through to the ball-like yolk, and the driver can munch one while steering. These are not appropriate for most vegetarians.

9. Wrap lean lunchmeat and low-fat cheese around pickles. The protein will provide energy, kids love crunchy pickles and they can be eaten single-handed, although not appropriate for vegetarians.

10. Rice cakes can be eaten alone or spread with toppings such as peanut butter or hummus. Depending on the topping, this is a vegetarian-friendly snack that kids will gobble up, too. The driver might need a little help with this one, though.