Food in the car – good tips for food on a road trip

Eating in the car is a natural part of the road trip for many people, whether you're commuting, going on a trip, or going on a longer vacation. With a little planning, you can eat deliciously, conveniently, and affordably – without unnecessary stops or mess in the car.

Here are our best tips for food in the car , for both adults and children.

Easy and quick food to eat in the car

When eating in the car, it's important to choose foods that are easy to handle and won't distract you from driving. We'll start with the simplest of the simple. That is, simple foods that you can eat in the car without a lot of preparation or cooking, even while you're driving. Things you can grab out of your bag and pop into your mouth right away. They're also things that won't get messy or runny when you eat them.

• Fresh fruit, such as apple or pear

• Dried fruit

• Grapes

• Nuts, such as peanuts, cashews, or a nut mix

• Drinking yogurt

• Biscuit

• Rice cakes

• Protein bars or protein shakes

• Sliced smoked sausage or other cured meat

• Chocolate

• A bottle of water – don’t forget to drink!

This type of snack in the car provides quick energy and is perfect for both shorter and longer car trips.

Good food for long car trips

On longer trips or planned breaks, it can be nice to have something to keep you full longer. Here are some tips for good food that you can put in your cooler until your stomach starts to tell you.

Examples of good options:

• Sandwiches with cheese, ham or vegetarian toppings

• Wraps or flatbread rolls

• Pasta salad or other hearty salad in a lunch box

Tip: use a cooling bag or ice packs , especially on hot days.

Food in the car with children

If you are traveling with children, food is often crucial to how peaceful the car journey will be. Choose foods that are easy to eat and that the children enjoy. If you have smaller children, we recommend that you stop at a rest area or parking space when it is time to eat. This is to keep an eye on the child so that they do not choke.

Popular choices for food in the car with children:

• Pancakes

• Snacks – Easy to eat and don't make a mess in the car.

• Small sandwiches

• Fruit in pieces

A good cooler/warmer can keep food warm (or cold) for many hours. There are models that you can connect to your car's cigarette lighter or USB socket.

Suggestions for food in the car – sandwiches, wraps and salads

Are sandwiches your favorite?

Sandwiches! The true classic, which can be varied endlessly – from simple sandwiches with caviar, cheese or ham to hearty sandwiches with mashed potatoes and vegetables as toppings. Feel free to make double sandwiches so they are easier to take with you without making a lot of mess.

Most of what we cover below can be replaced with vegetarian alternatives.

• Feel free to use a delicious, filling homemade bread.

• Common and simple toppings (in addition to what we've already mentioned) can be smoked sausage, peppers, liver pâté, soft cheese, peanut butter or eggs.

• A little more hearty: Add a good spread of your choice (curry spread, avocado spread, Skagen spread, hummus, cream cheese, etc.). Continue with, for example, lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes or peppers. Finally, top with any protein you like – for example, chicken or turkey, seafood, sliced meatballs, cold cuts, cheese, pulled beef/chicken/pork or something else. A real Dagobert sandwich!

• All of these work just as well to fill baguettes with. Other suggestions for filled baguettes could be roast beef with potato salad, mackerel, lettuce, tomato and shrimp mixture, cheese & ham, to name just a few examples.

A tip! Children can be picky about what you put on their sandwiches. Why not let them make their own?

The versatile wrap

Wraps and flatbread rolls are simple and filling foods that are easy to hold in your hand. You can start with tortillas, flatbread, liba bread or similar, and then fill with whatever you want; salad and vegetables, mashed potatoes, meat of any type, vegetarian, fish and seafood. Season as you like and roll it up and wrap in aluminum foil.

Healthy salads

Salads are another classic that can be varied as much as you like. In its simplest form, it is a mixture of iceberg or romaine lettuce mixed with, for example, tomato and cucumber and possibly a dressing (picked lettuce, head lettuce and green lettuce are other salad options).

When you're bringing food in the car, you might want a slightly more hearty salad with both carbohydrates and protein. A very simple but tasty and filling variation is the cheese and sausage salad – take a lettuce, dice up the cheese and smoked sausage and mix.

But there are plenty of options for what you can mix into your salad, both in terms of carbohydrates, protein and different toppings. Here are some suggestions:

• Carbohydrates: potatoes, pasta, quinoa, rice, wheat, legumes

• Protein: Tuna, salmon, seafood, eggs, chicken, turkey, roast beef, kebabs, cheese and feta cheese, tofu

• Vegetables: Tomato, cucumber, spinach, arugula, bell pepper, grated carrot

• Fruit: Apple, pear, melon, peach, pineapple, orange, avocado

• To top with: Olives, nuts, seeds, pesto, corn

Travel snacks - do you always have to be useful?

We don't think so. Of course, you should be able to snack on something tasty without worrying about whether it has to be "good" food. A bag of candy, chips, a chocolate bar or cheese sticks keeps children (and adults) in a good mood.

Tip! As a little energy boost, we recommend an ancient rag trick. Take a bag and put in salted peanuts, pieces of crushed chocolate and a handful of raisins. Hold the bag in one hand and shake it so that everything is mixed. Super delicious!

Small pieces of carrots, cucumbers or fruit are of course also great as on-the-go treats.

Smart packing list for a road trip

Small details make a big difference when you're bringing food in the car. Make sure you have this close at hand:

• Cool box / Warm box.

• Drink

• Hot water in a thermos

• Cutlery

• Salt and pepper

• Napkins/wet wipes

• Garbage bags

It makes mealtimes easier – and the car easier to keep clean.

Summary

With the right preparation , eating in the car is both easy and convenient. Choose easy-to-eat foods, adjust to the length of the trip, and don't forget water – and you'll have a smoother and more relaxed car journey.

Of course, you can eat in the car along the way, but it's a good idea to stop at a rest area and eat in peace and quiet. It's a much-needed break and you get to stretch your legs a bit.