Six Tips for Meals on the Go
Following a few simple tips can help you make the most of your meals on the go. Taking to the road does not mean you will leave a wake of fast food containers or restaurant receipts in your wake. I have learned from experience.
Take the Meal on the Road
Feeding my man family – two teenage manboys, a husband, and ready to be a man but not quite a pre-teen – almost requires taking out a loan when we stop at restaurants or fast food establishments. I long for those days when one meal could be spread out between a child and a parent . . . but I fear that longing will be all that I get to do.
The kids are growing, and that means some creative meal planning when we are going to hit the road. As long as I think ahead and pack well, we can eat healthy and happy without having to hit a bank along the way.
My Tips for Feeding the Family on the Go
- Offer something different (or maybe it would be better to say special). Road meals should be treats that will not be had at any other time. I have a fond memory of peanut butter and honey sandwiches that they gave us at summer camp, but only when we went on the canoe trip. I loved those sandwiches. That is one of my favorites for “only get this when we are on a road trip” meals. I up the healthy status by baking the loaf bread from scratch and using almond butter in place of the peanut butter.
- Keep the meal easy. The more moving parts to the meal, the more opportunities there will be for a train wreck – which means messes. I have taken the morning biscuit to a new level by modifying the sausage ball recipe. I added extra flour mix and several eggs so that the resulting “sausage baseball” is more of a well-rounded breakfast meal than just a meaty appetizer.
- Make sure that it can close. I have used drink bags and even canned items in the past, but sooner or later (and often both) a spill is going to happen. We have gone to individual water bottles that we use for hiking and camping. I can pack a container of sweet green tea and we know that even if the car makes a sudden stop the drinks will not end up everywhere. Be sure that the main container will also seal shut for that moment WHEN it tips over (because it will).
- Provide garbage cans for all the rows in the car. We have several of the little bathroom cans in the Suburban. We use the leftover plastic grocery bags to line the cans. This makes for easy cleanup. Be sure to empty the cans each time you stop – even if they are not yet to the point of being declared full. Roll up extra bags and keep them stored in the bottom of the can underneath the liner.
- Take a moment and eat outside the car. Use gas stops and bathroom breaks as meal breaks. You will have more opportunities to enjoy the unique scenery of the places you are passing through. You will keep the driver from trying to eat and drive (because something gets spilled or messed up no matter how nice the intentions). Most importantly, it helps to keep the car clean.
- Consider a travel cooler. We have several full-sized coolers that we use for camping and activities. Our travel cooler is about two feet by one foot and offers just enough space for some sandwiches and a few snacks. It is the perfect size for sitting in the middle of one of the rows of seats and it is easy to access while we are on the move.
Eating on the road can become a fun part of family travel traditions. The right planning can help you save on your travel costs, but also allow you to see even more while you are out on an adventure. These top tips can help you make the most of your meals on the go.
Let me know if they work for you and if you have any great tips for meals on the go.
Signed,
The Mom
