A summer road trip is a perfect opportunity to explore new territory and visit old friends—and plan out healthy road trip food. If you’re not careful, your idyllic journey can quickly turn into a nightmare of fast food pit stops and unhealthy snacks.
We’re not saying you shouldn’t indulge a little while you’re on vacation—after all, part of the fun of travelling is trying new foods. However, it’s important to strike a balance between indulging your taste buds and keeping your body fueled and healthy. With a little bit of prep before you go, you’ll be less likely to stop at fast food joints when hunger strikes.
Here are over 17 road-trip-friendly foods that are healthy, delicious and convenient to pack.
Road Trip Food Essential #1: Organic Fruit
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, juicy fruit instead of greasy takeout. Since fruit is packed with vitamins, antioxidants and fibre, it’s the perfect road trip snack. Plus, it’s easy to eat while you’re driving.
When shopping for fresh fruit on your trip, be sure to buy in-season options—these will have the best flavours and are usually lighter on the wallet than fruits not in season.
5 Seasonal Fruits to Try in Summer
- Berries (all the berries!)
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Nectarines
- Watermelon
When cruising about Ontario this summer, you should have no trouble finding locally grown, in-season fruits for you and your fellow travellers to nosh on. Plus, not only does eating locally grown fruit help support the farmers in your community, but it also reduces your carbon footprint.
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Road Trip Food Essential #2: Organic Veggies
Raw veggies are another great road trip snack option. Like fruit, they’re packed with nutrients and easy to eat while driving. If you prefer foods low in sugar, raw crunchy veggies are the way to go. Plus, veggies are easy to keep fresh when travelling, and since they’re mostly water, they’ll also help you stay hydrated.
5 Top Summer Road Trip-Friendly Veggies
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Celery
- Bell peppers
- Snow peas
Veggies are a great way to make sure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy on a road trip. Pack some creamy dips, peanut butter, cream cheese, or protein-rich hummus to enjoy alongside your veggies for a more satisfying and rounded snack.
Family travel tip: Be sure to pack a variety of veggies so you have something to suit everyone’s taste.
Southern Ontario: 5 Organic Produce Stands to Visit
You won’t be hard-pressed to find fresh produce to keep your diet on track and still feel satisfied when travelling through Southern Ontario. Whether your drive takes you to the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, or deep into Southern Ontario’s cottage country, there are plenty of local grocery stores to stock up on fresh, healthy food.
- In the Niagara Falls region, stop by Bizjak Farms to sample the organic tree-ripened peaches they’ve grown using only sustainable farming practices.
- Brambleberry Farm, on your way toward Kingston’s cottage country, is the perfect rest stop to explore farm life and pick up delicious berries.
- The Carp Farmers’ Market in the Ottawa Valley is ideal for stocking up on seasonal fruits, veggies and homemade road trip snacks. Open from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. every Saturday in the summer months.
- Elberta Farms Country Market, located in Paris, Ontario, is a popular place for locals and tourists to find fresh produce and other locally made food and goods. With 200+ 5-star reviews on Google, it’s a produce spot that shouldn’t be missed!
- In the Muskoka Lakes region, a visit to the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery is a must for organic, local cranberries and groceries. Stay for a bit and relax with their wine and cider tasting options.
High Protein: 7 Best Road Trip Foods
When you’re travelling, it’s essential to make sure you’re getting enough protein. Protein helps keep you feeling full and provides the energy you need to explore—and avoid those gas station snacks.
For those following a keto-based diet, having high-protein foods on hand will help you avoid the temptation of carb-heavy options. It can also alleviate the stress of finding options that meet unique dietary needs.
Some great high-protein road trip food options include:
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are a great source of protein and are perfect for a road trip. They’re easy to make and store, and they’re a great snack to keep you full and energized while you’re on the go. This can also double as a road trip breakfast.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are other excellent sources of protein, and they’re easy to pack for a road trip. They’re also a great option if you’re looking for a snack high in healthy fats. On-the-go snacks are a great way to save on extra costs at the gas station.
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Protein Bars
Protein bars are a great choice for a healthy snack if you’re short on time or just want a hassle-free option.
Cheese Sticks
For cheese lovers, cheese sticks make a great high-protein road trip snack. Just be sure to pack them in a cooler or alongside an ice pack to keep them fresh.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a delicious and nutritious way to get your protein fix on a road trip. It’s also a good source of probiotics, which can help keep your digestive system healthy while you’re on the move.
Protein Shakes
Protein shakes are simple to make and don’t require refrigeration or special storage; this makes them a convenient and easy option for getting the protein your body needs while on the road. Just mix them with water or milk and enjoy!
Additionally, plant-based protein shakes are ideal for vegans and those who prefer a plant-based diet.
Beef Jerky
Beef jerky is a road trip food icon, and it’s no wonder why. Tasty, portable and always fresh, beef jerky is a high-protein option that also meets multiple dietary requirements. However, not all types of beef jerky are safe for those with celiac disease or diabetes. Be sure to choose jerky suitable for your needs. This is also a great option for spending time in national parks.
Prepackaged Road Trip Meal Ideas
When it comes to healthy road trip food ideas, convenience is key. You want something that doesn’t require a lot of preparation or clean-up, but will still leave you feeling satisfied.
That’s where prepackaged meals come in handy. With prepackaged meals, you can enjoy delicious, home-cooked-style meals that meet your nutritional and dietary needs—even when road-tripping.
Protein Chefs’ prepared and packaged meals are packed using Modified Atmosphere Packaging to retain optimal freshness for up to 6 days, making them a perfect solution for week-long getaways.
Prepackaged meals make the vacation preparation process easy. All you have to do is order your selections to arrive right before your trip. When it’s time to hit the road, simply pop them in a cooler, and they’ll be ready to eat when you’re ready.
Prepackaged Meals for the Road
Prepackaged meals are a healthy and delicious alternative to greasy fast food options. And, because the meals are portion-controlled, you won’t have to worry about overeating on your trip.
Keep Your Road Trip—And Healthy Eating—Simple
Leave the stress of meal planning behind with Protein Chefs’ nutritious, delicious, pre-made meal kits.
Browse Our MenuProtein Chefs has a wide variety of road trip-friendly meals that are healthy, tasty, and designed with dietary restrictions in mind. Prepackaged meal kits and meal planning are essential for healthy living at home, but they’re also perfect as healthy road trip food ideas.
Some prepackaged options from Protein Chefs’ perfect-for-road-trip meals include:
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- Vegan Cabbage Rolls
- Gourmet Chicken Fajita
- Thai Basil Chicken
- Squash and Red Lentil Stew
- And many more delicious, healthy options
Tips for Planning a Healthy Road Trip Food List
Now that we’ve taken a look at what to pack on your next road trip, let’s go over a few tips to help you put it all together.
- Get a cooler. This is a no-brainer, but you’ll want to make sure you have a good one. You’ll want something that’s large enough to fit all of your food but not too bulky.
- Order your prepackaged meals ahead of time. Be sure your meals will arrive shortly before your trip begins.
- Don’t forget a few road trip kitchen essentials: a small chopping board, chef’s knife, reusable containers for storing chopped produce, and a shaker bottle for protein shakes. These essentials will make it easier to stick to your goal of eating healthy while travelling.
Plan the Best Road Trip Food
When planning your next road trip, use these tips and ideas to pack some healthy and convenient meals. Don’t forget to consider incorporating prepackaged meal kits along the way to help make your road trip food choices healthy and tasty. Protein Chefs has a variety of delicious and nutritious meal options that are perfect for on-the-go eating. Don’t forget a water bottle!
With easy online ordering and shipping, you can have your meals delivered to your door. Order today and get ready for the best food for a long road trip.
