Who doesn’t love a good road trip? Roll down the windows, turn up the tunes, feel the wind in your hair... you’re off on a real adventure! And with kids in tow, the fun is amplified.

Eating Well on the Road

If you’re traveling more than a short distance, both car and tummies will need refueling. Rest stops, fast food joints, and convenience stores are quick and easy, but they don’t always offer many healthy snack options.

With some advanced planning, your family can enjoy healthy, road-ready snacks. Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Plan Ahead and Pack

   The best way to make sure you have healthy snack and meal options when traveling is to take them with you. Keep things simple by sticking to whole foods that you know your kids will eat. Perishable items can be kept in a cooler packed with ice.

   Don’t forget utensils, and pack lots of napkins and cleansing wipes—even simple snacks can be a messy affair when kids are involved!

   Travel-Friendly Snacks

   • Fruit

     • prepackaged options

       • applesauce
       • canned peaches

     • dried fruit

       • apricots
       • raisins

     • fresh fruit

       • apples
       • grapes
       • pears

   • Veggies

     • sliced bell peppers
     • cucumbers
     • carrots

   • Protein

     • nut butter sandwiches
     • trail mix
     • cheese sticks
     • yogurt

   • Whole Grains

     • popcorn
     • whole-grain crackers

   • Beverages

     • water
     • low-fat milk
     • 100 percent fruit or vegetable juices

2. Make Smart Stops for Food

   If you’re traveling a considerable distance, you’ll need more than snack foods to keep you going. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends making the most of your stops by choosing your meals wisely.

   • Check the Supermarket for Prepped Foods

     Supermarkets offer healthy options like fruits with peels (bananas and oranges), as well as pre-washed and cut vegetables—grab some hummus to dip and you’re good to go.

   • Choose Wisely at Restaurants

     If you’d rather have a sit-down meal, take some time reading the menu.

     • Choose entrées that are baked, broiled, grilled, or steamed, and avoid anything fried.
     • Salads with lean protein can be surprisingly filling.
     • Good breakfast choices include oatmeal, eggs, and whole-grain bread.

   • Eat a Balanced Diet

     No matter where you eat your meals, aim to fill half of your plate with fruit and vegetables. Split the rest evenly between lean protein and whole grains.

Cheese is an almost universally loved food. What better way to showcase its appeal than a beautiful cheese tray? (Of course, a fondue for the holidays is also fun!)

How Much Cheese Is Needed for a Party?

First determine the number of guests. If cheese will be the main food, offer 3 pounds for every 8 people; 6 pounds for every 16; and 9 pounds for every 24. If there’ll be other food at the party, approximately 3 to 4 ounces of cheese per person should suffice.

Buy different flavors and textures for the most variety. Select at least one cheese from each of the four categories:

• Aged (Gouda, aged Cheddar)
• Soft (Camembert, Brie)
• Firm (Manchego, Parmigiano-Reggiano)
• Blue (Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton)

You may also wish to offer various cheeses based on the type of milk they’re made from (cow’s, goat’s, sheep).

How to Serve a Cheese Platter

• Prepare Ahead of Time

  Remove all cheese from the fridge one hour before serving to allow flavors to develop at room temperature.

• Separate Different Kinds of Cheese

  • Stinky Cheese

    Place strong-smelling cheeses on their own platters; offer a separate knife for each type.

  • Hard Cheese

    Hard cheeses can be broken into chunks with a fork for a natural look. Or, slice them for an elegant effect.

  • Soft Cheese

    Serve soft cheeses with a small spoon or knife for easy spreading.

• Label the Different Varieties

  For a stylish presentation, place the cheese on a small and clean chalkboard, and then write the name of each variety near the cheese with non-toxic chalk.

  Wrap and tape printed or hand-written strips of paper around toothpicks as a simple and eye-catching way to identify each type.

• Suggest Pairings

  Consider staging the platter to demonstrate various pairings. For example, stack aged Cheddar atop slices of sour Granny Smith apple. Or sprinkle candied pecans on soft goat cheese. Drizzle a blue cheese with honey.

• Accompany with Carbs

  Offer bread and crackers on separate plates or in baskets. Choose flavors that won’t compete with the cheese.

  Steer clear of anything with sesame seeds, herbs, or garlic. Breads containing walnuts, olives, or dried fruit make a nice accompaniment, as these ingredients pair well with cheese.

  Serve breads and crackers in varying sizes and shapes for visual appeal (bread sticks, baguettes, round and square crackers).

• Additional Flavors

  • Spicy, Salty, and Sweet

    Alongside the cheese platter, or on it if there’s still room, feature an assortment of salty and sweet accompaniments. Offer choices such as:

    • fresh fruit
      • apples
      • pears
      • grapes
    • dried fruit
      • cherries
      • apricots
      • pears
      • apples
    • nuts (candied or plain)
    • honey
    • chutneys
    • spicy mustards

  • Savory Options

    Small bowls of marinated olives, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts are popular savory choices.

    Consider offering cured meats such as prosciutto and salami. Just be sure to not overcrowd the platter.

• Beverages

  Wine is a traditional beverage choice with cheese, but sparkling cider makes a festive, non-alcohol accompaniment.