How to Not Make Your Kid Eat Like a Trucker

So last week I wrote about how to survive a road trip without eating exclusively from drive-thrus and gas stations. Today, we're sharing the love with our kiddos: those backseat drivers who never have to pee until we've just left the rest area, are always hungry for whatever we don't have, and in my personal experience, want to hear "Computer Assisted Design" by They Might Be Giants 50 kazillion times in a row.

But we love 'em, so we do it!  And also, we make sure their little tummies have lots of good healthy food to eat (because who knows what their grandparents will give them to eat when you get there).

The basics for getting kids to eat healthy on the road are pretty much same as for yourself: plan it, and do it! Here's what I have found helps a lot:

1. Include them in the plan. Kids are waaay more likely to eat stuff that they help make. So, ask them what kind of snacks they'd like to have in the car, and give them a few options to choose between (all stuff you're cool with, of course). I'll usually put together little snack-size ziplocks of blueberries, homemade muffins, or trail mix of raisins, Annie's Cheddar Bunnies, and sunflower seeds . Of course, on our last trip my precious angel decided he hated blueberries.  All the more for me, kiddo!

2. Pack in advance. Same as you do for yourself, pack them a little snack bag. If you have the space, let them have their own insulated bag just for their snacks. Make sure to include bottled water so you don't rely on juice boxes or, worse, soda. Silly straws are good for making water fun.  It works for grown-ups, too.

3. Scope out the nutritious kids' menus. Or better yet, skip them entirely. Kids' menus are a joke these days, full of fat and calories and with portion sizes that are large enough for an adult! But, I was shocked to see salad on the kids' menu at McAlister's and also dismayed to see at Panera that the kids' grilled cheese had fewer calories than peanut better and jelly. When my son ate a PB&J there, I knew why: they put half the jar of jelly on his sandwich. Scrape off what you can to limit the sugar, supplement your own sides (applesauce, raisins, etc.), and always be prepared to have a picnic!  Rest areas are superb places to have a healthy lunch and let the kids run around in nature's playground. Have you ever been in one of those fast food playplaces? Grody to the max!!!

4. Set the expectation early. If kids think that eating in fast food restaurants is a treat, they will be set up for a lifetime of disappointment. Eating fast food is only going to make them sick and overweight as adults. So, talk before your trip about the things you are going to do to eat energy food that is really good for playing and having fun. You have to walk the talk, mom and dad!

Eating healthy on the road is challenging, it's true. You have to plan and do extra work. Get over it. When you and your children have energy and feel good, that time is so well worth it. Before you hit the road, pack your cooler!  It will make it so much easier to get out there and get healthy!

Healthy Snacks for Kids

Okay, yesterday I gave you my five fundamentals of raising a healthy eater, and today I have some recipes to try at home.  Now, let me just tell you now that I am not a chef. I prepare food. Just want to manage that expectation. :) I keep food verrrry simple and use as few ingredients as possible. 


Stuff I Make
Ants on a Log (great for kids to help with!)
Slice one apple and add about 1 tsp of freshly ground peanut or almond butter on each slice. Then place three or four raisins on the peanut/almond butter
*Make sure that your PB is all natural, preferably fresh ground. You can usually grind it yourself at Fresh Market or Earth Fare, or ask your grocery store deli. Smuckers also makes a good all-natural PB.


Pita Pizza
Using one half of an Arnold's 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thin, Ezekiel English Muffin, or whole wheat pita, put about 1-2 tbsp of all-natural tomato sauce.  I usually use Classico or Prego All-Natural. Add 1 thin slice of Boar's Head Pepperoni, sliced at your grocery deli, and add a little more than a pinch of mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 for about 5-8 minutes.


Turkey Quesadilla
I bake a boneless turkey breast each week and use it for salads and sandwiches. It's healthier and cheaper than deli meat.  You can use some of it for this!
Using one Toufayan Low-carb Wrap, spread about two tablespoons of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt over half.  Then scatter about 3 oz of shredded baked turkey over that, and sprinkle on about 1/3 cup of shredded cheese (I usually use cheddar because that's what I have).  Add some chili powder (just a little, it is for the kids after all), fold it over, and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.  Slice into little triangles and serve warm.  I have to keep from eating all of these.


Sweet and Salty Trail Mix
This is great for throwing into a container during errands.
1/2 cup Annie's Homegrown Bunny Grahams
1/2 cup Annie's Homegrown Cheddar Bunnies
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds


Mix it all up and portion it out. Just watch the portions because this is easy to eat a lot of.


I also visit The Gracious Pantry for oodles of recipes (she is much more skilled than I).


Stuff I Buy
I try not to buy a lot of packaged snacks, but it's hard to avoid sometimes.  When I do, I always read the ingredients to make sure that what I am buying is just as good as what I could make at home. Also, check out my Simple Swaps for Clean Eating for a reminder that just about anything you like to eat has a healthier option.


Chobani Champions Yogurt  
Just about anything from Barbara's Bakery
Fruit.  Just plain old fruit.  It's pretty awesome.


Unhealthy eating is just not necessary anymore as it's becoming easier to find affordable alternatives for the things we used to think we had to give up to eat clean. Don't assume your kids want junk food, and don't assume that there isn't a way to healthify it when they do!  Just look at the basic ingredients and challenge yourself to find a healthier alternative...if I can do it, so can you!


Bon appetit!