Road Tripping is for (Snack) Lovers

Family road trips have grown in popularity over the past two years, driving by car being the only way for most of us to travel, or simply to find a little relief from a never-ending case of cabin fever. To keep the “Are we there yet?” inquiries at bay, a robust supply of snacks is essential for a smooth journey on long road trips. Ditch the drive-thru and stay clear of pricey gas station grub by stocking up on provisions that will satisfy the whole car mile after mile.

Catherine Carmichael is a registered dietitian at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, where she collaborates on a variety of research projects. For one such project called the Louisiana Festival of Flavors, Carmichael is working with the Louisiana Department of Education to help school nutrition programs develop new recipes. The goal of the initiative is to design meals with locally sourced ingredients that reflect the vibrant regional and cultural cuisine of the Bayou State. 

Catherine and her husband, Owen Carmichael, are experts when it comes to being on the road. Originally from California, the parents of three have embarked on more than a few road trips back to their home state since moving to Louisiana in 2014. The family often travels by car for vacations, packing up their minivan and driving to distant places such as Chicago or the Great Smoky Mountains. To get out of the house during Covid-19, Catherine and Owen hopped in the car with the kids for trips around the region—taking them canoeing at Lake Fausse State Park, hiking at Poverty Point, and diamond mining in Arkansas. 

"Traveling on the road, especially with kids, can be equal parts exciting and daunting," Catherine Carmichael says. "The key to making eating on the road a breeze—and friendly for your wallet, too—is having a plan for each day before you hit the road."

Carmichael’s trip prep includes packing a small ice chest or cooler, a large tote for dry snacks and other must-have items such as disposable dishware, foil, and paper towels, a trash bag for minimal mess, and even a can opener. 

The cooler comes in handy for storing healthy snacks such as string cheese, sliced bell peppers, baby carrots and single-serving hummus, and juice boxes, along with ingredients to make turkey or PB&J sandwiches on the go. One of their favorite ways to eat while en route, Carmichael says, is to find a rest stop or recreation area and have a picnic. The family can stretch their legs and get some fresh air, and it’s still a quicker, healthier, and more affordable alternative to the drive thru. Carmichael also recommends packing plenty of fruits, such as apples and mandarin oranges, granola or protein bars, and water flavoring packets to make staying hydrated all the easier. 

Dr. Jacob Mey, a registered dietitian and assistant professor at Pennington Biomedical, separates road trip snacks into two categories—drives where you plan to stop for normal meals throughout the day, and those where you’re driving straight through to your destination. 

When you’re just munching in between meals, Mey recommends low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods; fruits and vegetables like apples, bananas, pears, clementine oranges, cherry tomatoes, as well as whole grain crackers or pretzels. To fuel up for a longer ride with fewer stops, however, you’ll want filling, protein-dense foods with healthy fats, such as beef jerky, nuts, or ready-to-eat yogurt cups.

For those times when you do want to make a pit stop and indulge in a special treat, plot your stops out ahead of time so there’s something to look forward to on the way. To incorporate a sense of adventure and fun into your drive, seek out something new or local to the area, Catherine Carmichael says. Attractions such as blueberry picking farms, local farmers' markets—or in the case of South Louisiana, a roadside stand for boudin and meat pies—add a local element to your journey.

“Find a restaurant that showcases the local flavor, such as a signature dish for that community or something you can’t get where you live,” Carmichael advises. “That experience then becomes part of your vacation, the excitement of trying something new together.”

Sponsored by Pennington Biomedical Research Center