The Complete Road Trip Food Strategy + A Guide That Teaches Kids to Love Real Food
How to Stay Nourished on the Road (Plus a Game-Changing Resource for Parents)
Real Food Travel: How to Stay Nourished on the Road (Plus a Game-Changing Resource for Parents)
Okay, let's talk about travel snacks because it’s road trip/travel season! If you're anything like me, you've stood in a gas station at 2 PM on a road trip (whether it’s driving for two hours or across the country), hangry and desperate, staring at rows of ultra-processed junk, thinking "there has to be a better way."
There is. And it doesn't require you to become one of those people who pack an entire cooler for a weekend trip (though honestly, no judgment if that's your vibe).
I've cracked the code on staying nourished while traveling (which helps me avoid bloating/heaviness/puffiness), and I'm sharing all my secrets because nobody should have to choose between convenience and feeling amazing!!
But first, if you're a parent, I have something exciting for you!!
If you're a parent/caregiver who's exhausted by mealtime battles, tired of making separate meals for picky eaters, or worried your kids aren't getting proper nutrition from their diet of “beige” or ultra-processed foods, this is for you…
I just launched Little Plates, Big Nutrition: Raise Healthy Eaters - it is a comprehensive 70-page guide for parents who want to transform their family's relationship with food. This isn't just a kids' cookbook - it's a complete system for ending the daily stress around feeding your family.
This guide solves the biggest parenting food challenges:
✓ Stop making separate meals for picky eaters
✓ Get kids excited about helping in the kitchen
✓ Gives you age-appropriate ways to get kids involved in cooking (so they're actually invested in eating)
✓ Provides realistic meal planning that works with chaotic family life
✓ Takes the guesswork out of whether your kids are getting proper nutrition
The real transformation happens when kids help make their food. Suddenly, they're curious instead of resistant. They want to try what they helped create. Family dinners become connection time instead of battle time.
This guide includes 36 recipes with fun names that spark curiosity, plus all the strategies I've learned coaching lots of parents for three years!!
Get Instant Access to your Little Plates, Big Nutrition Guide Here!!
Now, let's dive into those travel snacks...
My Non-Negotiable Travel Snacks
Grass-Fed Beef Jerky & Organ Sticks I know organ sticks sound scary, but hear me out. These are literally nature's multivitamins in snack form. The nutrient density is unmatched, and they taste way better than you think. For jerky, I look for brands with minimal ingredients - just meat, salt, and maybe some spices. No sugar, no weird preservatives.
Wild-Caught Salmon Jerky This was a game-changer for me. All those omega-3s your brain craves, plus high-quality protein that actually keeps you satisfied. I discovered this during a particularly brutal travel day, and now I never leave home without it.
Plantain Chips (But Make Them Right) Here's the thing about plantain chips - they have to be cooked in coconut oil, not those inflammatory seed oils that'll leave you feeling worse than when you started. They give you that satisfying crunch without a blood sugar rollercoaster.
I love these because they actually taste like real food, not like cardboard trying to be a chip.
Sea Salt Coconut Chips Lower-carb option that still hits the crunchy craving. The healthy fats keep you satisfied way longer than regular chips ever could. Plus they're naturally sweet without any added sugar.
Quality Pork Rinds Before you scroll past this - I get it. But brands like Bacon's Heir and Epic have completely changed the pork rind game!! These are basically pure protein and fat with zero carbs. Perfect for when you need something substantial but don't want to feel sluggish :)
Canned Seafood (Trust Me on This) Sardines, salmon, oysters, wild-caught tuna - these little cans are nutritional powerhouses. I eat them straight from the can (with a fork, I'm not an animal) or with some grain-free crackers.
Travel hack: Pack a small fork or spoon.
Bone Broth Pods This is my secret weapon for travel recovery. Most hotels have Keurig machines, and these pods turn that basic coffee maker into a gut-healing, collagen-delivering miracle. Your digestive system will thank you after hours of travel stress!!
Nuts and Seeds (With Some Rules) I go for sprouted varieties when possible because they're easier to digest and have better nutrient absorption. Avoid anything roasted in vegetable oils - stick to dry roasted or raw. These are calorie-dense, so portion them out ahead of time or you'll end up eating the entire bag!
My favorites: sprouted almonds, pumpkin seeds, macadamia nuts
Cheese Crisps Basically dehydrated cheese turned into the perfect crunchy snack. They satisfy that chip craving without any of the inflammatory oils or processed ingredients. You can buy them pre-made or easily make your own by baking shredded cheese until crispy. Pure protein and fat with zero carbs - travel snack perfection.
Parmesan Cubes These little protein and fat bombs are perfect for travel. The aged cheese provides that satisfying umami flavor while giving you sustained energy. Look for high-quality, aged parmesan that's been cut into convenient bite-sized cubes. They travel well and don't need refrigeration for short trips.
When You Have a Cooler (Or RV Fridge)
Grass-Fed String Cheese The organic stuff actually tastes different - richer, more satisfying. Perfect for kids too if you're traveling with little ones. Portable protein that doesn't need any prep.
Pasture-Raised Hard-Boiled Eggs Vital Farms sells pre-cooked ones that are perfect for travel. Complete protein, healthy fats, and they fill you up without making you feel heavy. I always pack these for road trips.
Clean Deli Meats Read those labels carefully. You want meat without carrageenan, maltodextrin, or synthetic nitrates. Roll them up by themselves or with some cheese for an easy protein hit.
Whole Fruits & Pre-Cut Veggies Sometimes simple is best. Apples travel well, oranges are self-contained, baby carrots need zero prep. These add fiber and vitamins to balance out all the protein and fat.
Quick tip: Pre-cut your vegetables before you leave. Future you will be grateful when you're tired and just want to eat something crunchy.
Whether you're planning your next adventure or your next family meal, the goal is the same: make nourishing your body simple, enjoyable, and sustainable.
Travel doesn't have to derail your health goals, and feeding kids doesn't have to be a daily battle. Sometimes we just need better strategies and a little confidence to make it all work.
Safe travels and happy cooking with the little ones!!
With warmth and balance,
Melissa <3
The Balance Routine
P.S. I have to say - I'm having SO much fun with this newsletter. When I started The Balance Routine, I honestly had no idea it would grow into this incredible community of people who genuinely want to feel their best and support each other along the way.
Every message you send, every reply to these newsletters, every time you share that something I wrote helped you make a better choice for your health - it fills my heart in ways I never expected!!
Thank you for being here. Thank you for trusting me with your time and your inbox. Thank you for being part of this journey with me as we figure out how to live and eat in a way that actually serves our bodies instead of fighting against them <3
