Happy trails.

摘要

PACK A COOLER. The most obvious solution to the healthy-eating dilemma is to bring your own food. "When it's a road trip, you absolutely have control over what to pack and what you can eat," says Vandana Sheth, RD, CDE, a diabetes educator and registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Fill a cooler with snacks and meals containing fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds as well as fiber-packed carbs and lean protein, both of which will keep you feeling full longer. Peanut butter on whole-grain bread, vegetables and hummus or bean dip, low-fat cheese and whole-grain crackers, nonfat Greek yogurt with fruit, and mixed nuts all travel well. If your snacks need to be kept cool, surround them with ice packs or bags of ice. Even food that requires refrigeration, such as lunch meat and yogurt, will be safe in a cooler for a few hours. (Worried about food spoiling? Pick up a food thermometer at the grocery store and check that your cooler is at 40 degrees for refrigerated snacks.) For longer trips, bring gallon-sized plastic bags and fill them with ice from convenience stores along the way when your ice packs warm. SEARCH OUT HEALTHY OPTIONS. Its true that U.S. highways are typically void of nutritious fare, but with a little digging you can find healthful alternatives at even the least healthy places. You'll have an easier time of it if you plan ahead. Map your route, then use a site such as Google Maps to note all of the restaurants along the way. Can't find anything but fast food? Visit the restaurant's site for nutrition information. Most have a few smart alternatives to bad-for-you meals. Convenience stores and gas station shops often sell healthy options, such as fruit, yogurt, and nuts. (See "5 Healthy Road-Trip Meals," below.)