<p>Tis the time of year when some parents will be hauling their college kids back to school. Although I do have a much longer drive than many of you, anything over a few hours can create boredom.</p>
<p>For some reason, the time seems to pass more quickly if I have something bite-sized to munch on while in the car. Unfortunately, many options are not the healthiest. I used to be able to do sunflower seeds, but now, if I eat them while in the car for a long trip, I retain water in my ankles, especially my driving foot. Other things like Starbursts, Sweet Tarts, caramels, etc. are basically pure sugar. </p>
<p>What is your favorite bite-sized snack you can’t hit the road without? I’m looking for new ideas.</p>
<p>Popcorn plain
Popcorn salted
Popcorn with butter or olive oil +salt
Popcorn with low cal sweetner
Popcorn with pepper (red or black)
Popcorn with chix, beef, pork flavorings</p>
<p>Trader Joe’s trail mixes. Our favorite at the moment is the Raspberry and Chocolate Trek Mix. Because it has nuts, the protein fills you up after just a couple of handfuls, and the dried raspberries are delicious.</p>
<p>ok… I need to avoid salty stuff (or really minimize it). I’m not necessarily looking for something to fill me up… just something to graze on for many, many hours (10+). When we stop, we don’t stop for food (I think it’s silly to go to a sit-down restaurant to eat when the idea of getting out of the car is to move about), but we get out, walk around, maybe stretch a bit, then get back in and go. Sometimes this is in conjunction with a stop for gas. </p>
<p>Longprime - something tells me you like popcorn ;)</p>
<p>Ditto on the dried friut. But one of my facorite driving(albeit not very healthy) snacks-- Corn Pops (the cereal)! Fingers get sticky though. Cherrios work too. Pretzels (The small ones in the triple loop shape) are easy to handle, but the salt may add to your fluid retention. try wearing the travelers socks that Travelsmith sells. That should take care of the swelling.</p>
<p>granola bars
peanut butter stuffed pretzel nuggets
snack pack of peanuts
cold water bottles
Medium Dunkin Donuts coffee
Hershey with almonds or peanut m & m’s</p>
<p>dmd - sorry, I can’t do caffeine, either. I realize I’m ruling out a lot of everyone’s suggestions, but I like a couple of them. Will definitely try to hit up Trader Joes this week. It’s not exactly on my way anywhere, so I have to make a special trip.</p>
<p>I have tried to drink more water when traveling, just because it’s so easy to neglect it and get dehydrated. Only thing is, we have to make more potty stops :(</p>
<p>jym626 - are those kind of like the socks they put on people just coming out of surgery? They look incredibly uncomfortable, or at least difficult to put on. I remember my mom’s cardiologist wanted her to wear them when she developed chronic heart failure, but with her arthritic hands, she couldn’t get them on herself.</p>
<p>I work for a company that makes granola bars and never ate them until I started getting free samples. Now I never travel without them - plane or car. There’s a huge variety - at least 3 dozen types depending on where you go. Easy to throw in a purse and can be eaten with one hand.</p>
<p>Carrots, celery sticks, cheese sticks (maybe if you can find low-salt).</p>
<p>I’m with you on not sitting down when you stop. D and I regularly drive ~ 4 hours and we ONLY stop to fill the tank, stretch (literally while filling the car or walking to the restroom) and potty. We have a cooler on wheels which I love, we stock it with water and a few Cokes.</p>
<p>Do you listen to books on tape? We like to get lectures from the Teaching Company, we’re currently listening to Tocqueville - very interesting. Your library may carry them.</p>