When you spend a lot of time on the road, it can be easy to fall into bad eating habits. You stop for fuel and grab a chocolate bar. You go to your closest drive-thru a few too many times. All these bad choices have consequences
It can cause you to put on some extra weight and negatively affect your health. But staying healthy on the road doesn’t have to be hard — and definitely doesn’t mean you have to go hungry!
There are millions of ideas for healthy snacks to buy or make at home. Here is a list of our choices for the best snacks for a long day behind the wheel.
Roasted chickpeas: the king of high-protein veggie foods
Chickpeas are an incredibly versatile food. They’re ultra-healthy, packed with fibre, and one of the highest protein vegetarian options in the plant kingdom.
Chickpeas are known for being the star of the show in popular hummus dishes. But lately, they’ve been rejuvenated as a salty, irresistibly crunchy snack. If you haven’t tried roasted chickpeas yet, now is the time!
Roasting a big batch of chickpeas is super simple. All you need are 3 basic ingredients:
- Cooked or canned chickpeas;
- Extra-virgin olive oil;
- A pinch of salt.
Preheat your oven to 220°.
Next, drain and rinse your chickpeas under cold water, then spread them on a clean kitchen towel and gently pat dry. It’s important to make sure they’re as dry as possible at this stage because damp chickpeas won’t crisp up.
Transfer the chickpeas to a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Make sure everything is spread evenly on the baking sheet, and pop them in the oven for 20-30 minutes until crispy.
Remove from the oven, toss with your favourite spices, and enjoy! Store them at room temperature and eat them within a day or so of roasting for the best texture and flavour.
String cheese and apple slices: a perfect duet of nutrients in snack form
String cheese is an amazing road snack. First, it’s always fun to eat, no matter how old you are. It’s also one of the best options for tasty yet low-calorie snacks, super portable, and makes for effortless eating in the driver’s seat.
Pair a piece of string cheese with slices of your favourite kind of apple and you’ve got a delicious snack that’s packed with healthy fat, protein, and complex carbs — and will keep you full for hours!
Bring along your very own brand of trail mix
You can, of course, buy trail mix, but we suggest you make your own. It’s healthier, more cost-effective — and also super-fun and easy to make!
To make your own perfect trail mix choose some of your favourite nuts such as almonds, peanuts, or cashews. Toss in some carbohydrates like mini pretzels, rice crackers, or granola chunks. Sprinkle in some dried fruit — raisins are the classic go-to, but dried cranberries or cherries will also do the trick.
You could also choose the tropical route with dried mango, papaya, coconut, and banana! Seeds — such as sunflower or pumpkin — are a great source of added protein power. And to satisfy your sweet tooth, don’t forget to add some chunks of high-quality dark chocolate.
Pack in an air-tight container and help yourself to a handful the next time you’re looking for a little on-the-go pick me up!
Hard-boiled eggs: the ultimate high-protein snack
Eggs are fantastic because they’re a low-cost and ultra-versatile source of protein. They’re also full of vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, zinc, and calcium. But there’s no reason for eggs just to be relegated to your breakfast table!
Hard-boiled eggs are a fantastic on-the-go snack as they’re easy to eat and keep you full. They’re also egg-cellent (sorry, we had to) for meal prep! Here’s how to whip up a batch of perfect hard-boiled eggs:
- Fill a saucepan a quarter of the way with cold water;
- Place 6-12 eggs (gently!) in a single layer at the bottom of the saucepan;
- Add a little more water so the eggs are covered by at least an inch or two of water;
- Heat the pot on high heat and bring the water to a full rolling boil;
- Turn off the heat but keep the pan on the hot burner;
- Cover, and let sit for 10-12 minutes;
- Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and place them in a large bowl of ice water;
- Peel the eggs under running water, and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Time to earn some extra money!
Now that you’ve got a snack plan, why not make some money as a Bolt driver or a Bolt Food courier?