You’ve been looking forward to your bus trip for a while now. As the day approaches and you start preparing your luggage and entertainment, there’s another important thing you need to think about – your food and beverages during the trip. Sure, you can always stop at the side of the road whenever the bus makes a pit stop. But the foods at these locations tend to be greasy. Not the best option for a long bus ride.
There are other alternatives though. And these can help ensure your journey is as pleasant as possible. Firstly, eating properly and hydrating yourself regularly will stave off nausea and lethargy and can even give you a nice energy boost as you gaze out the window and look at the scenery changes unfold before your eyes. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the most appropriate snacks you should be taking on your long bus ride. Here are our tips.
Let’s start with something salty…
It’s safe to say that not everyone has a sweet tooth and if you’re looking for a combination of energy while keeping hunger at bay, we highly recommend protein-type foods. Some examples of salty snacks you can bring along, which will not be smelly or messy to clean up afterward, include: beef jerky, individually wrapped sandwiches, pretzels, veggie straws, crackers, a variety of nuts, string cheese, and candied almonds.
And move on to something sweet…
As arule, you’ll want to avoid overly sweet food products on a long bus ride because after a while, you may start getting an energy high only to slump back down again. Alternatively, you could start feeling nauseous and this is unlikely to make your trip comfortable. As a result, some of the easiest sweet snacks you can consider bringing along with you include: granola bars, popcorn, and dark chocolate.
What about those who love fruit?
Don’t worry! There’s something for every taste on a long bus journey. If you’re a fruit lover, then we highly recommend apples, sugar snap peas, grapes, raisins, carrots, dried fruit, bananas, trail mix, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon and popcorn comes in as a contender once again. Overall, these foods are small, easy to store, easy to clean up, and don’t have a strong odor that can affect other passengers. And best of all is that they’re tasty to consume and will keep your energy levels up.
How about the health-conscious?
For the health-conscious traveler, we highly recommend raw vegetables including baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, celery, mixed nuts, and homemade chips (including baked potato chips, carrot chips, sweet potato, zucchini, and other types of chips). Each of these foods may require some prior preparation but on the whole, they’re highly portable and will last for several hours at room temperature all while being good for your health.
And we can’t forget the importance of keeping hydrated
It’s natural to want to have a sip of something after you’ve had a snack to wash down your food with. It’s also important to stay hydrated during your trip. This is why packing bottled water is a must. Iced tea is another option you might consider, while fruit juice is a great way to perk you up and not upset your stomach. Gatorade, on the other hand, is great for hydration and for an energy boost if you don’t want to take a nap but rather wish to gaze at the scenery outside.
The best snacks and drinks for children
If you’re traveling on a long journey with a little one, then you’ll need to take their needs into account as well. Starting by preparing a snack box is a great idea as you can have a combination of different types of food to keep them interested. These foods may include crackers and goldfish crackers, Animal Crackers, Rice Crispies Treats, fruit rollups, lunchables, string cheese, squeeze fruit pouches, fruits, veggies straws, granola bars, and even cookies.
Another healthy option is offering your child some strawberry strips or even dried fruits. Both options are healthy, low on fat, and make for an enjoyable treat. They’re also much less messy to deal with and are easy to clean up in a box that you can simply slip into your carry-on bag later.
But don’t forget their hydration needs, too. It’s advisable to bring a juice box for your child to keep them hydrated and refreshed. Even better, you can try juice, yogurt, or pudding pouches that come in a variety of flavors to ensure that there’s no mess and that your child is as comfortable as possible.
And that’s a wrap
Long bus journeys offer a great way to relax, take in the scenery, and build up excitement about your destination. However, doing so on an empty stomach or while thirsty is not a great idea. Neither is grabbing a greasy bite to eat from pit side stops as these tend to be fast foods that are unhealthy. Make your long bus ride as pleasant as possible by ensuring you pack along the right treats for your and your children. Not only can sharing snacks be a fun experience but it will also keep your energy levels up.
In this post, we’ve offered some tips for all types of pallets to ensure that you get the best advice for your particular taste bud requirements. But if you have any questions or need any assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! At Bus Connection, we’re always happy to help our guests out in any way we can. So, go on, give us a call. Our friendly team is right here ready to help.