Healthy road trip snacks for kids

July 16, 5:40 PMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Early Childhood Parenting Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Planning a little road trip still this summer? Check out these ideas for quickie yet healthy snacks for kids (and you) to enjoy as you cruise to summer fun.

Registered Dietitian Gloria Tsang says that despite snack food’s overall bad reputation, there actually are healthy, tasty, kid-friendly snacks that are easy to pack for the car. “The key is to look for real, natural foods that come in portable sizes or packages,” says Tsang, founder of online nutrition community HealthCastle.com. “Think fruit, granola, and juice rather than cookies, chips, and soda.”
Here are five of Gloria's simple, healthy snack ideas:

1. Summer berries: Berries are loaded with Vitamin C, folate, fiber and phytonutrients. Berries are easy to prepare: just wash and rinse, then throw them in a container or bag and you’re ready to go.
   
2.  Low-fat/no-fat frozen yogurt bars: What kid doesn’t love ice cream? Low-fat and no-fat frozen yogurt bars are great alternatives that provide all the satisfaction for an average of only 100 calories (check the package for the brand you choose). All you’ve got to do is pack a cooler!
   
3. Home-made trail mix with nuts and whole-grain cereals: Tossing nuts with whole grain breakfast cereals is a perfect way to create heart-healthy trail mix. Nuts are an excellent source of protein, fiber, phytonutrients and antioxidants. Give each kid their own bag and let them munch away.
   
4. Granola bars: If making your own trail mix sounds like too much work, check out your grocery store’s selection of granola bars. But choose carefully, as some can be loaded with fat and sugar. Look for bars that have at least 3 g of fiber and 5 g of protein.
   
5. Popcorn: Popcorn is a perfect portable snack to munch on in the car. A standard three-cup serving of air-popped popcorn contains just 93 calories and less than 1.5 grams of fat. If you prefer microwave popcorn, avoid the "buttery" or "caramel" flavors that may be loaded with calories, sugar, and trans fat.