Our family loves long road trips so over the years I’ve made an art of the well-stocked “snack bag”. First let me be clear, this isn’t about forbidding my kids (or myself) from eating junk food. One of the tenets of my work as an Integrative Health Coach is balance. In fact, on our annual summer road trips to Cape Cod or Maine, we always stop for a doughnut or ice cream at a popular local spot. That said, spending eight hours in a confined space with low blood sugar or a food reaction is NOT my idea of a vacation, so I always come prepared with healthy options to balance the ice cream along the way.
The right foods can drastically reduce meltdowns and tantrums that come with low blood sugar (this is equally helpful for the grown-ups and the kids in our family!) It also means that we are never at the mercy of what we can find in airports, gas stations and rest stops.
Following are some things you'll find in my family’s snack bag:
● Seaweed snacks
● Hard boiled eggs with salt
● Whole in-season fruit (apples, peaches, grapes, clementines, berries etc.)
● Nuts
● Popcorn
● Bars (we’re fans of Larabar and Kind)
● Mini all natural nut butter packets with carrot and celery sticks
● Mini homemade muffins
● Sliced cheese or cheese sticks
● Roasted crunchy chickpeas
● Homemade trail mix (I usually add nuts & seeds, some mini-chocolate chips & coconut chips)
● Smoothies packed in an insulated mug- make sure to add some protein and fat to stabilize your blood sugar
● Organic grass-fed beef jerky
● Cucumber slices with salt or hummus
● Whole avocado with chips (slice avocado in half and then put it back together with a rubber band until ready to scoop with chips or a spoon)
● Dehydrated snap peas
● Hand wipes
● A few empty bags for trash
As you’re thinking about what will go into your bag, focus on foods that are minimally processed and contain healthy fats, protein and veggies (all of which can be harder to find in the outside world). Bring foods that meet your family’s dietary sensitivities and restrictions, and be sure to pack snacks for yourself. It’s common for parents to pack snacks for the kids and to forget about yourself. You’ll be calmer, more fun and more patient if you’re well-nourished yourself.
Safe Travels!!
Amara Wagner is a speaker and mentor who empowers moms to trust their intuition and guides them, with practical tools, to raise naturally healthy families. Her private and group coaching programs help women navigate motherhood mindfully and with a sense of humor, without dogma. Amara provides a unique, down-to-earth approach to moms who want to feel confident using whole foods and ancient remedies to support their family's health. She specializes in helping holistic-minded mamas parent from an intuitive place, without sacrificing their own health. To learn more about Amara and her programs please visit www.amarawellness.com
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