How to Feed Your Child on a Road Trip

Road trips are lots of fun for kids, but a healthy diet often gets left by the wayside. Here are some ground rules for healthful ' and safe ' meals and snacks for the road.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bottled Water
• Healthy Foods
• Motion Sickness Medicine
• Plastic Bags
• Travel Mugs
• Coolers
• Plastic bags

1. Avoid unfamiliar foods and junk food, especially if your child has a sensitive stomach or allergies.

2. Bring healthful snacks that keep well ' trail mix, fresh or dried fruits, granola bars, fruit leather, and dry cereal are just a few options.

3. Don't forget to bring a cooler full of water and cool drinks. If you aren't bringing a cooler, half-freeze some juice boxes and water bottles ahead of time, then let them thaw as you go.

4. Pack carrot and celery sticks, or other crunchy vegetables, for your kids to snack on. Store them in ice water to keep them crisp.

5. Bake some healthful treats ahead of time to offer in lieu of preservative-filled cookies and snacks.

6. Leave the mayonnaise and other perishables at home to reduce the risk of salmonella or other food poisoning.

7. Don't forget some wet wipes and a bottle of hand sanitizer for quick cleanups of sticky hands and faces.

Tips & Warnings

• If your vehicle doesn't have built-in cup holders and trays, try to find some clip-ons.
• Bring a portable high chair or booster that you can clip onto a table for picnic stops or restaurants that don't offer special children's chairs.
• If you are traveling with a baby or young toddler, avoid introducing new foods during the trip, especially highly allergenic foods such as nuts or shellfish.
• If you know your child has severe food allergies, be sure to bring along any medication he or she may need to counteract an allergic reaction.
• Avoid snacks that could pose a choking hazard in a moving vehicle. Nuts and other small, hard items could easily go down the wrong way on a bumpy road.

[Allandra]

on 7/22/2007 I would avoid bringing anything that's fully of sugar and caffeine. Ban the chocolate treats unless you want a super hyper kid on your hand.

on 11/22/2005 One Step Ahead sells a bottle/baby food jar warmer. It plugs into the cigarette lighter adapter. It works great!