You’re probably worried that your upcoming trip will expose your family to unhealthy foods. If yes, then you need to consider packing food which offers a guarantee that you will eat healthy meals as you have fun.

Well, this may sound simple but it’s not! We’ll provide a few tricks that will simplify the entire packaging process.

1. Take Time to Plan

You should avoid a last-minute rush by planning several days before the D-day. You’ll need to create sufficient time to gather your foodstuff as well as prepare them for packaging. Ensure that you have reusable containers to smoothly enable this process.

After packing the food, the real problem arises! How will you keep the food cool or warm?

Well, you should ensure that the hotel you book offers refrigeration and microwave services. If you’re unlucky to get such a hotel, you should be ready to rent one.

Also, you may consider carrying portable kitchen appliances that are allowed in a plane, including a rice cooker or an electric hot plate (ensure that you confirm with your travel agency whether these appliances are allowed).

If you own a cooler, then you need to bring it along. The good thing about this appliance is its size. You can comfortably carry it at the back seat of your car! An ice-packed cooler will keep your food cold for approximately two days. You should always ensure that you replace the ice at night to continually enjoy the cooling services. Also, ensure that you place the cooler on an adsorbent material to avoid destroying your electronic devices with the condensed water. Alternatively, you can use Ziploc bags to keep your food dry.

2. Gather Your Supplies

Once you’ve decided on the food that you’ll pack for your trip, it’s time to gather the supplies. Here are some items you should include:

• Forks, Knives, and Spoons. These are basic items that you’ll need during your trip. They come in handy, especially if you’re going for outdoor activities.
• If you forget to carry plates, then your efforts will greatly be compromised. You may find yourself in the middle of the bush with food and no dishes! To avoid such compromising situations, always pack a few disposable or reusable plates. Here’s a tip: Ensure that the plates you buy can survive the microwave heat.
• This will help you solve the leftovers problem. You should preferably get a plastic jar that is easy to clean. For extra savings, consider waiting until November to stock up on food storage. These types of containers tend to go on sale in late Fall.
• Chopping Board and Knife. This will help you when preparing vegetables for a meal. If you’re flying, ensure that you inquire on the type of knife that will pass all the checkpoints.
• Soap Dish and Sponge. After eating, you’ll need to clean the plates for the next meal. As such, you should ensure that you carry soap to aid the process. When flying, avoid exceeding the TSA recommendation (do not exceed 3.5 ounces of fluid)

While you may not require all these supplies, you’ll realize that each one of them has a significant role to play in your trip! We recommend that you tailor these solutions to fit your needs.

3. Choose Foods Ideal for Travel

If you can access a mini-kitchen, then you can pack as many groceries as you may desire. If, however, you find yourself with minimal cooking options, then you should try these:

• Refrigerator Oatmeal. You require a cooler to use this option. All you need to do is combine milk, oats, add-ins, and sweeteners. For example, you can use nuts, oats, a spoonful of jam, and almond milk. This will always offer high fiber breakfast that will keep you energized every day!
• Anything in Packet Form. When you have a collection of the ramen variety pack, soup, cheese, or mac, you can easily warm them using hot water.
• Fruits and Vegetables. You may include fruits and vegetables to ensure that you get a balanced diet. Whole fruits such as apples, bananas, and oranges require no refrigeration. You can include peanut butter, which you can use with slices of apple for a fulfilling breakfast!
• Cheese and Hard-Boiled Eggs. These foods are highly portable as long as you have access to a cooler.
• You can eat your bread with toppings such as peanut butter, deli meat, tuna, or any other foods that are easy to tote. If you packed a cutting board, you may easily add vegetables!
• Cooked Leftovers. If you have a cooler, you can easily store the remaining food and heat them later.
• Protein and Energy Bars. You should never forget to include protein and energy bars when going out on a trip. They are high in protein and low in carbs which ensure that you are energized all through your trip.

The idea of packing food for a trip may not augur well with you at first, but you’ll realize how convenient it is after your first attempt! You will not only have healthy meals during your trip, but you will significantly reduce your expenditures.