Healthy travel foods for kids. What are some convenient items you can feel good about bringing on trips with littles? Here are some ideas for feeding kids on vacation and while you’re on the road, including some of our favorite healthy plant-based snacks.
*Transparency is important to us. Please note that this blog post has been sponsored by Skout Organics. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Plant-Based Juniors*
Anyone who has ever traveled with a child knows that it can take an extra dose of patience and planning to make the trip even happen.
Once you nail down the logistics, what to feed them on the road is an entirely different subject. We’ve got you covered!
Here are 10 ideas for plant-based snacks and healthy travel foods for kids, that you can bring on the road and/or store in your hotel room (or wherever you’re staying).
10 Healthy Plant-Based Travel Foods
1. Skout Organic Bars
We get so excited to discover healthy, plant-based snack bars for our kiddos and Skout Organic is one for the books.
One of our favorites is the Raspberry Rush bar, which is made with the following ingredients: Organic Dates, Organic Raspberries, Organic Sunflower Seed Powder, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate.
Skout Organic never uses protein concentrates, sweeteners, or binding agents that you may find in many other packaged snack foods. Both of our boys love these bars and we love that they are made with ingredients that we would use in our own kitchens if we were making bars ourselves!
If you haven’t tried Skout Organic yet, you can snag 20% off of their products here.
2. Frozen Fruits and Veggies
This one only works if you’re going somewhere that has a fridge or freezer, but it’s an inexpensive option that can be quickly made for an easy meal.
For instance, Vander loves broccoli florets, and prepared frozen ones are already nice and soft for him to enjoy.
Other good options are frozen blueberries, mixed veggies (e.g., the bags of diced carrots, green beans, and peas), or riced cauliflower that you can cook quickly in the microwave.
3. Fresh Fruit and Veggies
Bananas and apples are some of the most obvious choices here, since they come in their own convenient packaging. Other small fruits like plums, clementines, peaches, and grapes can travel well too.
Cut veggies, like sticks of celery, bell peppers, and carrots, can easily be stored in baggies with a small container of hummus.
Keep in mind that fresh produce should be age-appropriate. For instance, you may need to pre-slice, peel, or chop certain ones, and avoid veggies that are too crunchy for younger ones.
4. Tofu
This is an easy, inexpensive way to add plant protein to meals away from home.
If you have access to a kitchen, you could prepare tofu where you’re staying – whether sliced for sandwiches, scrambled for breakfast, or cubed and baked.
Alternatively, if you’re going on a road trip, you could roast some cubed tofu for the car ride.
5. Nut and Seed Butters
One of our favorite things about nut and seed butters is that they don’t have to be refrigerated, so you can easily take them on-the-go.
PB&J sandwiches are the perfect car or airplane snack, and make an easy, kid-friendly dinner away from home.
Of course, nut and seed butters are just as enjoyable by the spoon or with a banana!
6. Whole Grain Bread or Crackers
If for no other reason than to be a versatile vehicle for peanut butter, butter, or avocado, a healthy bread or cracker is a great option to bring in the car or have on hand where you’re staying.
It’s easy to end up eating less fiber via takeout – especially when your little one just wants to steal all of your fries – and having a whole grain bread or cracker ready can be helpful.
7. Cooked Rice or Quinoa
We like to pre-cook a grain like rice or quinoa and put them in baggies for on-the-road meals.
Alternatively, you may be able to find pre-cooked pouches of grains where you’re staying that just require a microwave to prepare.
8. Trail Mix
When you think of trail mix, you probably think of the infamous M&M and peanut mixture, right?
While that stuff may be undeniably delicious, you can make a healthier version for trips using pumpkin and sunflower seeds, raisins and other dried fruit.
9. Pitted Dates
Pitted dates are delectably gooey, naturally sweet, and full of fiber. They’re also a perfect hand-held snack for tiny fingers.
They can be eaten as is, or stuffed with nut butter or a vegan cream cheese if they’re not going to be sitting out too long.
10. Dried Seaweed, Pea, or Bean Snacks
There are a number of dried veggie snacks to choose from, which is great!
Just make sure to check the ingredient list for any excess additives or high amounts of sodium and added sugar.
Dried seaweed sheets are a good source of iodine, while bean and pea-based snacks offer some plant protein.
If your child is old enough, you might opt for dried edamame or roasted soybeans as a healthy car snack.
Feeding kids on vacation can bring a whole different level of stress for parents and caregivers. Looking for some convenient, healthy travel foods for kids? Here are some ideas, including personal recommendations of healthy plant-based snacks we’ve traveled with.
Chime In: What are some of your family’s favorite plant-based travel foods and snacks?
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Anytime we are traveling, I make sure I bake some healthy oat banana muffins, make walnut date balls or plant based biscottis in addition to all the fruits I pack. I feel like that stuff comes in handy when they are hungry and there’s very limited healthy options in the airport or on the road.
Do you have crackers that you recommend?