On The Road Again—Eating Right On Vacation And On The Go (NAPSA)—Knowing that I would be writing this column, I paid close attention to my own diet during a recent road trip to Quebec. What a surprise that my worst meal was breakfast! It would have been so easy to replicate my homebreakfast of Whole Grain Total with milk and fruit if I had only brought a box of cereal with me. “Planning ahead is the key to eating right on vacation and on the go,” says Evelyn Tribole, R.D., a nutrition coun- Mindy Hermann selor and author of Eating on the Run. Here are a few of her favorite strategies: Purchase a small electric cooler that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter. It is perfect for storing snackslike fresh fruit and reduced fat mozzarella sticks, as well as medications. Tribole notes that “a cooler expands your options Top 5 SnacksForTravel PB&J on whole wheat Supplies protein andcarbs; is satisfying andfilling Energy bars Quick nutrition; virtually indestructible Reducedfat milk boxes For cereal and snacks; no need fo refrigerate if closed Bottled water Calorie-free; important for hydration Whole grain cereal, crackers Nutrient-rich; many brands supply fiber @ you have to look for it,” advises Tribole. “The worst thing you can do is order an unhealthy meal because you are too tired to think about better options.” Make upfor foods that typically are missing from restaurant menus. Manyrestaurants have few, if any, lower fat dairy foods, so stock your overnight. car with calcium-rich snacks like reduced fat milk boxes and fat-free yogurt. If foods made with whole grain like cereals and breads are hard to find on menus, bring a selection of Whole Grain Total wedges, baby carrots, and pea whole grain like breads and crackers in the car, and try to include at least three daily servings. Finally, Tribole says to be sensible. “Don’t go longer than five hours without eating. When because you can useit to store left- over containers from restaurants.” Empty out the cooler each evening unless foods can be refrigerated Bring fruits and vegetables to nibble for snacks. The selection at convenience markets usually is limited and expensive, so it’s best to stock up from home. Easy-toeat choices include grapes, apple Cereal, or other foods made from pods. Avoid anything that is mes- you're overly hungry, you're less Order wisely at fast food outlets. “Most chains have at least one healthier option, like a salad or a grilled chicken sandwich, but cranky, and nothing is worse than a car full of cranky travelers!” sy to eat. likely to make smart food choices. Bring bottles of water to drink. Dehydration can make people Note to Editors: This is Series V—13 of 26.
