When you're on the road, keeping a vegan or even vegetarian diet can be challenging. Or you can resort to gas station bananas, which while usually acceptable in quality at most bigger gas stations, start to get a little old after the third or fourth state. As we spend LOTS of time in the car, be it for travel or for work, we've come up with some of our favorite vegan snacks to keep us full and healthy - no matter the location.
But before we begin, first you have to consider how you're going to keep your food fresh and tasty not only while you drive, but in the time between prep and transit. If at all possible, consider making your food in the morning (if it won't over stress your schedule) - particularly if you're including foods like avocado that don't appreciate prolonged exposure to oxygen.
When it comes time to actually pack your snacks, it's important to invest in a cooler or at least an insulated lunchbox and some cold packs. Choose Tupperware containers or reusable Stasher Bags to help keep your footprint smaller and your food even fresher. Don't forget to throw in some linen or recycled napkins to round out the experience.
Now onto the fun part, our favorite vegetarian and vegan snacks for road trips.
1. Tea sandwiches
Yes, the small triangular treats that would be just as comfortable outside Buckingham Palace. Our favorite kind includes:
White bread
Persian cucumber
Beefsteak tomato
Vegan mayo (or try vegan cream cheese)
Fresh basil
Salt and pepper to taste
These tasty finger foods are cut diagonally and have the crusts remove for easy snacking.
To make:
1. Prepare the vegetables by thoroughly washing and drying. Partially skin the cucumbers, leaving stripes lengthwise by 'skipping' every other stroke. Cut into thin slides. Cut the tomato in half, remove the seeds and slice. Wash the basil and put aside.
Cut the crusts off the bread and add vegan mayo to the remaining inner portion of the bread slices.
Add tomato, then cucumber, then basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Of course, the beauty of a recipe like this is that you can make small substitutions and changes and still get a really nice result. The combination of basil, tomato, and cucumber is popular around the world in various forms because it goes so well together.
2. Fresh fruit salads
It may sound obvious, but a fruit salad can really lift the spirits and give a burst of energy to your drive. Though seasonal fruits are always the best choice, not all fruits are great travelers. Some types of fruits that we recommend to bring in your salads include:
Slices of orange
Kiwi
Strawberries
Mango
Grapes
Blueberries
Diced pineapple
Melons: all kinds
Fruits are also a great way to get a boost of hydration and fiber - especially if you're like me and you like to eat french fries along the way too 🍟
3. Homemade granola bites
Sweet tooth? No problem. Granola bites are a sweet and somewhat nutritious way to fulfill your need for something a bit more filling. And the options for customization are almost endless! Some recipes that we recommend include:
With these in your possession, the ability to pass up that ginormous brownie is much greater. And you look cool because you 'baked' something.
4. Hummus Roll Ups
This tasty wrap is good enough to eat even if you're not traveling. Here's what you'll need to make it:
Small tortillas
Hummus
Red peppers
Arugula
Avocado
You'll notice that I didn't give any portions here. That's because you can add as much or as little of any of these things to suit your own preference.
To prepare:
Lightly warm your tortillas (just a few seconds)
Spread on as much hummus as you like - which is normally a lot
Add raw veggies
Roll up and cut off the ends so it's nice and event
And that's it! Quick, easy, done.
5. Chocolate Chip Cookies
OK everyone this is the part of the story where vegan leaves us and vegetarian arrives. Because I'm going to admit it - I am an abysmal baker. For some reason, even when I think I've followed a recipe to a T, something isn't quite right and the desert is all wrong (except for chocolate bourbon pecan pie - but that's a recipe for another day).
So what's my secret? Slice and bake cookies. Sorry. And one day, maybe in a few more road trips, I will figure this out. But in the meantime, these pre-made beauties can't be beat.
When you're planning a road trip, keeping yourself properly fueled is just as important as maintaining the car. And though eating is important, making sure you get enough fluids consistently is just as important (even if needing to pee on the reg is a little annoying). Toss a few frozen (reusable) water bottles wrapped in a dish towel in your cooler or lunchbox. Then you'll have water and a consistent source of cool for the rest of your snacks.
If you're a vegetarian or vegan and you're moving, you know how much of a hassle eating along the way can be. Hopefully these snacks have inspired you to do some creating of your own! And if so, don't forget to share this post :)