Do you remember hearing this on your last road trip? Day One: “Welcome to McDonald’s. Can I take your order?” Day Two: “Thanks for choosing Burger King. How can I help you?” Day Three: “Hola! Taco John’s. What can I get for you?” If it sounds familiar you aren’t alone. Many vacations and road trips are filled with fast food stops. The key to avoid falling prey to this all too familiar junk food trap is to plan ahead.
Here are some tips that have served my family well:
· Take a large cooler of bottled water. Staying hydrated curbs cravings and munchies.
· The night before a road trip make healthy meals-to-go: vegetable stuffed pitas, sandwiches, or vegetable and cheese roll-ups (with flour tortillas).
· Fill Ziploc snack bags with raw vegetables and portable dip packages (or I just pour salad dressing into individual plastic containers).
· Pack a variety of fresh fruits.
· Bring nourishing snacks – crackers, peanut butter, popcorn, cereal, trail mix, and nuts.
Once you get to your destination you’ll want to stay smart and healthy. Remember to wash your hands with soap and water (or use an anti-bacterial gel or hand wipes if soap and is not available) prior to eating.
Also, you can avoid most food poisoning incidents by remembering to drink only bottle or boiled water; avoid tap water, drinking fountains and ice; the safest water is water you open yourself. Carbonated drinks are the least likely to be contaminated and drinking wine may offer protection against parasites. In addition, by sticking to high fiber foods you can improve the intestinal flora and reduce bacterial infestation. Finally, avoid antacids – the first line of defense against infection from bacterial invaders is stomach acid, you don’t want to neutralize it with antacids.
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