It would be kind of difficult to do so while D2 has her IPod plugged in. She’d probably be very agreeable to putting her ear buds in, but then I feel like we’d miss out on some conversation that often happens on these trips… speaking of which - when I was bringing her home in December, we were almost an hour north of Allentown, and approaching the I-80 exit. I was so busy listening to her that I completely missed the exit. Had to go 11 miles further to the next exit to make a U-turn! We both laughed. It’s like she said, it’s already 770 miles, what’s an extra 22?</p>
<p>Added: maybe I’ll ask her this week if there’s a book on tape we’d both enjoy. However, that then precludes any naps that one might partake of.</p>
<p>Cracklin Oat Bran cereal, dry by the handful- a little bit sweet, a little bit substantial. makes me think of horse food- oaty & molassey, we only eat it on car trips, but then we all love it</p>
<p>I love that cereal, but it’s good that you only eat it occasionally. It’s full of fat - even saturated fat - and sugar (which is why it’s so good!)</p>
<p>I usually make my mix of Multi-Grain Cherrios, almonds and dried cranberries and cherries. The key for me is something that is small bits - so I can eat it very slowly and it lasts a long way. A granola bar goes too fast!!!</p>
<p>Another suggestion - don’t laugh - Teddy Grahams!!! With a cup of tea or a coffee - it’s a winner!!!</p>
<p>I think that my ADD/Dyspraxia makes concentrating on driving exhausting, so I like thermoses of black tea- if I dont have a 16oz triple latte. I don’t mind the rest stops cause it helps me to stay awake if I move around.</p>
<p>for snacking I like fruit. oranges, apples, bananas… anything- pomegranates are a little hard to eat in the car ;)</p>
<p>I really used to like the thai spicy peanuts from Trader Joes, until they quit selling them.
But I will also get Tim’s Cascade jalapeno potato chips , peanut m&ms or sour Skittles at the rest stop if I am desperate to stay awake.</p>
<p>I either have no music so I can concentrate better or it up loud. If the radio stations are constant, I like NPR.</p>
<p>I am not a big eat in the car fan. My kids like to eat in the car. When we go on long drive I usually pack some food.
My husband likes sunflower seeds and cornnuts. Those are the items he eats to just pass the time. He also strangely likes to use a gum massager.
What I pack also depends on how old the car is or whose car we are taking. My husband goes in phases where he does not like people eating in his car. During those times the kids only get water and foods that can be cleaned up with the vacuum.
Goldfish crackers, rice cakes, dry cereal. Since you have a passenger you could pack bagels and cream cheese. My kids also like those pretzel stick packages with the fake cheese. Also trader joe’s sells single celery servings with peanut butter or carrots with ranch.
Cut up vegetables with a small container of hummus. This is also good with the pretzel or pita chips from Trader Joe’s.
My D makes a combo of dried apricots, raw almonds and throws in some plain m&m’s for some sweetness.
I think Jif or Skippy make small containers of peanut butter. We bring them to sports tournaments and it is a good source of energy and protein. Dip a banana or cut up apple.
The easy to peel seedless tangerines are coming into season. They are easy to peel and are not as messy as oranges.
An indulgence but delicious is the fat free caramel corn from Trader Joe’s. I could eat the whole bag.
And always red vines.</p>
<p>High protein power bars are a fav, and actually seem to keep us all alert/less cranky. Also, fiber bars. I always thought that stuff was too high calorie, but it does the job re: keeping the brain awake!</p>
<p>I pick up a pre-made veggie tray from the local supermarket and we munch on that. It works better if you are in a van with a floor space on which to set it. It’s a bit cumbersome on a car seat or with a console unless the passenger is willing to hold it. </p>
<p>When I’m traveling by myself and don’t want fast food, I often buy sushi to eat because it’s bite size and easy to consume while driving.</p>
<p>Not exactly health food, but I can’t drive more than an hour without my wintergreen lifesavers; if I can refrain from chewing them, they last a while.</p>
<p>By the way…Terwitt, I believe you are forty-something…you’re young to be experiencing problematic swelling. You mentioned your mom has CHF; have you been checked out for cardiac problems or kidney problems and is your blood pressure where it should be? I know heart valve problems (which often manifest in one’s 40’s or 50’s) and hyperlipidemia can be heritable…not sure about kidney issues.</p>
<p>I totally forgot about teddy grahams!! We munch on the chocolate ones. Also, since most of our long drives are inthe summer months, we bring fresh peaches. Yum. However, they can get squished easily so you have to be careful.</p>
<p>I used to think popcorn (bought in a bag at the store) was low fat, but boy was I wrong!! The kids used to eat popcorn or chips, but now everyone seems to be eating healthier stuff. My older s just drove home and packed banana chips, granola bars, teriaki beef jerkey, rice cakes and tangerines (not sure how he planned to peel them and drive!). We also always bring water and sodas (caffeinated, for the drive).</p>
<p>Raw almonds, dried cherries, raisins. That sustains us until we get to the Greek place at the Belvidere Oasis outside Chicago And lots of podcasts on the iPod.</p>
<p>Every since the kids were little, every car trip to the beach began with a stop at QuikTrip where each child (and adult) was allowed to get a bag of junk! We bought candies and chips that I usually did not keep in the house. It was a special treat for the kids and my husband who still wants to get “car candy” when we travel. My husband’s favorite is Riesen caramel chocolate chews and he will still but they when we stop for gas during a trip.</p>
<p>We do stop for meals on longer road trip so that we can have something healthy. While we are still sitting, we are able to move around more. My son does not like to stop when he drives alone and my daughter will only stop for lunch. Husband drinks Diet Coke the entire time he drives which means many potty stops!! I swear a trip with him takes an extra hour due to the stops!!</p>
And lots of podcasts on the iPod.</p>