Whether by plane, train, car, or cruise, it’s wise to pack snacks for the journey. What is even more special would be to get your kids to help with choosing and packing the food items you’ll have on hand during the trip.

Here’s a quick guide for snacking when you’re traveling with kids.  Hint: What’s good for them is good for you too!

Always a good choice

• Choose foods that are fresh, mess-free, and unlikely to become a choking hazard
• Healthy options like easy-to-peel fruit and pre-cut vegetables
• Pretzel sticks
• Green Pea Snack Crisps (such as Harvest Snap)

Picking snacks for picky eaters

Choose foods your family is familiar with!

• Granola bars
• Dry whole-grain cereal
• Box of raisins (if over 2 years)
• Cheesy crackers such as goldfish or cheez-its

Caution – proceed with the following snack foods with care! 

These can be a good choice but aren’t always. 

• Beef Jerky – I love this low-carb option, BUT beef jerky is really high in sodium, so it can dry you out and leave you constipated.
• Yogurt – if you’re neat and tidy, this is a great option, especially in a squeeze tube or pouch, but spilled milk products are hard to clean up and can leave your car smelling sour – eww.
• Nuts – this heart-healthy snack is excellent if you can stick to a handful. The problem with nuts they are easy to overeat. A few handfuls can set you back 500 calories or more. For little people, nuts can be a choking hazard.

Avoid the food choice pitfalls that can make or break your trip.

• Sugary treats feel like a nice “prize” but leave kids with loads of energy to burn and nowhere to go. This leads to whining, crying, and ultimately grouchy and frustrated parents. 
• If you want to give a sweet reward, try Tic-Tacs or those gummy “fruit snack” pouches.  

Overall, spending time with your family is a priority. However, having a sound plan for your travel food choices will be beneficial. This will help your family vacation be more healthy, entertaining, and relaxing—which is the point of it all, isn’t it?

Have fun, stay safe, and remember to eat well!