In this short blog post, I will share what you can bring on a road trip. My SO and I prefer to pack our own food to avoid eating out, especially when healthy vegan options are limited.
We fill containers with food, pack fruits, and place everything in a cute canvas bag we call “the food bag”.
To be honest, investing in good-quality reusable containers, along with a cute bag, is not only environmentally friendly but also makes the whole packing experience more enjoyable. I use stainless-steel and glass containers, except for two lunch boxes I bought a few years ago. They’re made of PP5, which is food safe, and each has a stainless steel tray inside.
Here is a list to help you pack your own food bag:
Fruits
Bananas
Citrus fruits: oranges, mandarins, clementines, tangarines, sumo citrus, grapefruits, pomelos…
Cherry tomatoes (technically fruits) washed, dried, and stored in a container.
Berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, mulberries…washed, dried, and stored in a container.
Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, mango, or pineapple chunks stored in a glass container.
Peaches, pears, and apples.
Sandwich Ideas
Sandwich bread options: Whole-wheat, buckwheat, gluten-free, sourdough, Ezekiel…
Fillings:
1) Mashed avocado, dulse, and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. Season with salt and pepper.
2) Peanut butter, dulse, hemp seeds, and sliced bananas.
3) Tofu nuggets, mixed salad, sliced tomatoes, and a layer of mashed avocados or vegan mayo.
4) Hummus, cucumber, hemp seeds, seaweed flakes (dulse, kelp, nori…).
Beans & Grains
Baked/air fryed tofu
Hummus (for 1/2-1 day trip)
Roasted chickpeas
Steamed rice
Bread
Tortilla wraps or chips
Homemade oil-free salt-free popcorn
Note: We avoid packing cooked bean dishes, like curries and stews, that may have a strong smell or require refrigeration.
Vegetables
Celery sticks
Radishes
Cucumbers
Salad
Baked or air fried:
Blanched or steamed broccoli florets
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Purple Yam
Zucchini
Snacks
Nuts and seeds: roasted almonds, peanuts, cashews, trail mix, pumpkin seeds, and unshelled sunflower seeds.
Roasted seaweed
Dates
Other dried fruits: cranberries, raisins, figs, apricots, prunes…
Homemade popcorn
Instant oatmeal packets, which can be mixed with hot water.
Organic sprouted cereals
Homemade or store-bought protein bars (opt for clean ingredients).
Drinks
Still/sparkling/filtered water
Herbal tea bags
Shelf-stable plant-based milk ( soy, almond, oat milk…) or fresh plant-based milk if you have access to a fridge.
Let me know in the comments if there are any foods I missed or should try on my next trip 🙂 If you enjoyed this list, please share it with your family and friends.
