Find the Best Travel Snacks for Your Body and Wallet

Anyone who has experienced the shame and heartbreak of spilling a messy fast food meal all over themselves and their car knows that packing smart travel snacks is a very, very good idea.

To avoid such a scenario during your road trip, get a step ahead by pre-packing snacks and meals that won’t wreak havoc on your wallet, waistline or new shirt.

For lunch, nestle your favorite sandwich ingredients in a baguette or similar-style bread. The baguette will keep your food where it should be — between your fingers, not all over your lap. Don’t go overboard with the condiments, either, to keep things clean in your car and the calorie content of your meal low. Sandwiches are amazingly versatile — peanut butter and jelly, tuna salad and a BLT, for instance, are virtually nothing alike — and can be made cheaply with fresh produce or deli specials.

Grapes, celery sticks, cauliflower and carrots are great for eating by themselves or dipping into a hummus or other spread. Fruits and vegetables are always a smart choice for your body, with plenty of vitamins and nutrients to keep you feeling energized while you cruise toward your destination. Produce can be bought on a budget from farmer’s markets, and stocking up during your roadtrip is a great way to get a taste of local color.

If you’re craving a salty, crunchy treat, open up a bag of kale chips. They’re still cooked in oil, but healthier than potato chips and stasty and satisfying while on the go. Almonds are a great snack food for the health-conscious traveler, and are nice and filling without giving you that greasy, heavy feeling that comes with consuming fried foods.