I have a theory that the worst place to be hungry is on the road. As if it’s not already bad enough dealing with everyone else’s driving, when you’re hungry everything gets amplified tenfold. Plus, around the holidays, everyone’s in more of a hurry to get somewhere: to the mall, to Grandma’s house, to work on time because it’s cold out and they accidentally slept in…
Since there’s no escaping having to drive, we can at least try not to drive while hungry! I took a roadtrip back to Ohio recently, and I packed a whole bunch of healthy snacks from the CVS Gold Emblem and Abound lines.
Today I’m sharing what I brought and why these are the best snacks to help you #FindYourHealthy when you have a long journey!
- Flavored sparkling water: I always have my reusable water bottle with me, but sometimes I need a break from plain water. These flavored waters are tasty, have zero calories, and feel like a treat.
- Popcorn: It’s tasty, low fat, and you get to eat a lot of it for relatively few calories.
- Unsalted pistachio & almond mix: Low sodium and packed with good-for-you fats.
- Beef jerky: It is high in sodium, but has TONS of protein and very little fat and carbs.
- Apple pomegranate blueberry clusters: A wholesome and sweet snack for an energy boost.
- Berry and nut clusters: A little sweet and a little savory with a nice balance of carbs and fats.
- Dried cranberries: A small handful gives you a sweet burst of carbs!
- Protein bars: These chewy bars have a perfect balance of fats, protein, and carbs. Great to throw in your bag when you’re going to be out of your hotel room for the day.
I try to make healthy choices and snack on foods that have good nutrient balances. It’s no fun getting out of the car after a long drive and feeling yucky and heavy after sitting for hours AND eating fast food. With these snack choices, you might have a sore butt, but you won’t feel guilty about what you ate. That’s a win in my book!
Happy roadtripping!
What kinds of snacks do you like to take on trips? Do you pay attention to the nutrition facts on your snacks?
This post was sponsored by CVS; all opinions are my own. #FindYourHealthy
Holly @ Woman Tribune says
Beef jerky has always been one of my all-time absolute favorite snacks. I have to limit how much of it I will buy because I’ll just sit and eat a bag of it in one sitting; and as you mentioned, it’s super high sodium content doesn’t lend well to binge-eating.
Christie says
Sparkling water is a great alternative to just blah water. And I love that you have protein packed nuts ready for snacking!
Pinay Mommy Online says
Whenever I’m on the road, I always make sure that I have snacks to munch on when I’m hungry. I should try these snacks you featured here soon.
LauraFunk says
Popcorn is my life. I am getting ready to do a bunch of elimination diet stuff to hopefully get my allergies and diabetes in a good place. I am pinning this post for sure
Chanelle says
Good luck with the elimination diet! Hope you find answers quickly 🙂
Ashleigh says
I like bringing bars or trail mixes. They are great to keep some energy going.
Lisa Rios says
Road trips are always so much fun during holidays & having some best snacks would make it a pleasant one for sure. I love having Protein bars anytime & dry fruits like cranberries would be a great choice as well.
Shannon Gurnee says
I love shopping at CVS! I haven’t seen these snacks there before though. I’ll have to check it out the next time I go there.
Jasmine Watts says
Its true.. Healthy snack choices are important for good nutrient balances. I never think about it.. LOL!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I love the pistachios and almond mix, dried cranberries and of course, lots of bottled sparkling water. These are all great snacks for road trips!
Eileen says
You are so on the money here – we travel a lot due to family and sports, and we always are making sure we have healthy snacks. These are great additions from CVs Emblem! Love their brand. Thanks for sharing!
Kristin says
When we travel snacks are a must with small kids. We pack what ever makes our little ones happy! Thank you for sharing.
angie says
little crunch when we need some munch yes I believe you have the right snack in mind
Notorious Spinks says
The pistachio and almonds are right up my alley. Thanks for sharing this.
Linda Carmical says
All great suggestions for snacks on a road trip. Or, any other time. I particularly like dried cranberries. They’re great to add to lots of things, like cereal and salad. Love them.
Ickle Pickle says
Great ideas – our travelling snacks are usually not as healthy. I will try some of these next time though. Kaz 🙂
Censie says
Love finding healthy items to snack on, especially on road trips. thanks for the ideas!
mya.k says
I love having snacks on road trips it just make time go by so much quicker.
Ave says
So many great snack ideas! As we live in a small island, I haven’t had a need to snack during driving, but fruit and protein bars would make a great snack. I’d love to try the Unsalted pistachio & almond mix!
Jenn Peters says
I always love having snacks for road trips. It’s so much easier and oftentimes cheaper to just have some things on hand. I like having a fruit, a meat (jerky or lunch meat) and a snacky type thing (popcorn, trail mix) on hand. Plus a small cooler with bottled water 🙂
Tracey says
These are great alternatives to some of the junk you find in gas station convenience stores! I agree that travelling and being hungry often end up with you feeling gross, but these snacks will definitely change all that.
Chasing Joy says
Great anack choices. Ine combo I really like is popcorn with dried cranberries mixed in. Salty and sweet!
Maggie Branch says
My favorite are dried cranberries. They are my go to road trip snack since they’re easy to eat and drive at the same time. Great list!
Jasmine says
That’s a great selection! I love popcorn and beef jerky
Stephanie of The TipToe Fairy says
These are great road trip snacks. My family loves to pop in to CVS and grab a few of these treats. I had no idea they had sparkling flavored water. I love it.
Janell @ Saving You Dinero says
I needed these tips last week! We had an 8 hours drive and a van full of hungry people!
Claudette says
No road trips for me this holiday but these snacks can come in handy at any time of the year! Thanks.
Tonya C says
Thanks for this list. I really have to do a better job of eating healthy snacks during the day while I’m working!
Lexie Lane says
I love being a traveler, these are great on the go snacks.
Rachel Mouton says
We are taking a road trip with our kids this weekend with 3 kids, 2 dogs & a cat. These are great ideas 🙂 Wish me luck!
Heather lawrence says
We always plan ahead and pick up some healthy snacks for any road trip we may find ourselves on.
So much easier to bring food that’s good for you than risk greasy fast food on the go.
Paula H says
We do pay attention to nutrition especially ingredients. We try to avoid sugars, colourings and preservatives as much as possible
Alissa Apel says
I fill the car with snacks like this when we travel. My husband always thinks I have too much, but we go through it. With 2 growing boys we need a lot of snacks.
Michelle says
protein bars are my new favorite snack
Janeane Davis says
These are great snacks for road trips. It is important to get snacks that are delicious, portable and filling all at the same time.
Crystal says
Yes, since I’m now 40 I have to watch everything I eat. I usually carry protein bars with me.
Tatanisha Pitts-Worthey says
These sure does look tasty! Everything looks good to me specially those Pistachio and Almond mix. I would love to try the flavored sparkling water too, it sounds downright refreshing.
lisa @bitesforbabies says
I have a few of these in my pantry on a regular basis! I also bring homemade goodies when I travel, such as raw energy bars!
Katherine G says
I love to take fruit with me. I confess though I usually take junk food most times. I am trying to make better choices though.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I want that pistachio and almond mix! I love that it is unsalted so we really get all the health benefits from it without the added sodium. The dried cranberries would also be a nice treat. I’ll keep these in mind this Christmas when we travel south to my cousin’s house for our annual reunion.
Melinda says
I LOVE that popcorn. I pick it up everytime we head into CVS
Rebecca Swenor says
I have to be honest that I have never really paid attention to the nutritional fact on the packages of snacks I have eaten until I started reading about all the bad things we put into our bodies. When we are traveling we love to eat mixed nuts and beef jerky. These look like all great snack to try.
Ana De- Jesus says
I could eat popcorn all day every day lol delicious!
Rosey says
I was thinking that too. And those cranberries, yum to those too!
Victoria says
This is a great ideas. I love eating healthy snacks.
Maureen says
I love sparkling water 😀 The snacks selection you choose sounds awesome. I wish I could find them here in Indonesia
Krystal says
Great ideas! I love snacks that are easy to eat and not too messy for the car!
Theresa says
We love to shop CVS for road trip snacks. The Gold Emblem abound line is so tasty, and I love that they are snacks I feel good about serving my family. I actually keep some of their nuts in my gym back for after workout snacking!
Crystal says
I like things that take effort to eat while on the road. I slow down if I have to shell a peanut, for example. Your list needs to come with me on my next road trip.
Tammi Roy says
I always find it hard to snack healthy when i am on road trips. I will definitely be trying a few of these on the holidays.
Elizabeth Lampman says
I have been watching what i am eating more lately. These look like delicious snack choices. I will have to give a few a try.
Heather says
Those look like very healthy road snacks! I am much better at choosing healthier snacks these days. I realize how much better I feel when I eat better compared to grabbing junk food.
Kiwi says
I definitely cant go on a roadtrip without my snacks! I must try some of these sparkling waters!
Kait says
Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks! It can be hard to grab healthy snacks that taste good, but these are perfect!
Lois Alter Mark says
I could eat popcorn all day! In fact, sometimes I do!
Sarah says
You can’t go wrong with good healthy snacks. I also love having a good selection of treats, like you have here.
Megan Yarmuth says
Great snacks for road trips! We’re only going an hour and these would still come in handy!
Travel Blogger says
Good ideas – I always snack in the car and it can be hard to stay healthy when you snack. These are great options.
mya.k says
I love having snacks on any kinds of trips. especially healthy ones.
Michelle F says
Those are some great snacking ideas. I always have a water bottle and some nuts in the car.
Donna says
CVS is a great place to grab snacks! And I here you about not driving hungry… I get hangry (hungry + angry) if I go too long without eating. Snacks are a necessity when driving on a longer trip for sure!
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
These are the best roadtrip snacks! We are stocked up for our holiday travels!
Elizabeth O. says
Wow! I would most definitely enjoy these snacks for sure. Whether on the road or if I’m just simply at home.
Vera Sweeney says
I love CVS, so easy to run in and out of. I love these snack options for a road trip, we have been working to eat better as a family so they would be perfect.
April Monty says
This is always the time we are tempted by the lure of fast food or those convenience store under the heat lamp hot dogs,my mom used to do trail mix,unsalted pretzels,granola clusters,we always thought we were getting goodies,lol.
Melissa @ Sippy Cup Mom says
All of those snacks sound great! Our kids love snacking on beef jerky and popcorn. I enjoy dried cranberries!
Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas says
I certainly try to pay attention to the nutrional value of the snacks we are eating. I love packing pistachios and almonds for road trips! They’re delicious and easy to eat in the car.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I have purchased many of these items for my kids. They have always been a hit!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This is a good list and definitely superior over fast food for on the road.
I agree with you: it is tough to top being hungry on the road – we would call it getting hangry, when you are just edgy from being so hungry for so long a duration.
William Sweeney says
I love being able to grab road trip snacks at CVS!! These look like the perfect snacks for a road trip.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I agree! I keep them for my kids who are always asking for snacks on the go!
Marcie W. says
I definitely take note of my calorie intake but tend to slack during the holidays. Beef jerky and trail mix are a few snacks that always make my must have list.
Brenda says
Those look like great snacks. I’m always looking for healthy snacks for my kids. Thanks for letting me know about what CVS has to offer.
Jeanine says
I like taking flavored water but I’m so sad to say it’s not the healthy kind. I need to try to really change that. I’m not a fan of sparkling but would love to try to be!
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I just finished a 21 hour road trip (although I broke it into 2 days). I like to pack Fiber One bars and a cooler with string cheese, lunch meat, and bottled water. I usually pack a banana or 2 as well. I’ll have to check out some of the snacks you recommended!
Tracy says
I agree, snacks are necessary! We have kids so it makes good sense where saving time and money are concerned, to stock up on some snacks before we head out on the road. Plus, you have more control over what’s in the food you are eating 🙂 .
Anne says
I’ve always thought that half the fun of a road trip is the snacks! I’m afraid I’m not as conscious of the nutritional aspects of my grab-and-go foods as I should be, but nowadays it’s easier to pick up foods that are good and good for you, too.
Rachel says
We always do nuts and lots of water. I throw in some apple or grape juice for a sweet drink without all the sugar and other junk in soda. Great list.
Helene Cohen Bludman says
I love snacking on popcorn and nuts. I crave salty more than sweet.
candice says
i am super addicted to the berry and nut clusters. i always have them in the car and all three kids love them. We travel a lot and I’m always packed up with cvs brand goodies.
Tamara says
I think you covered our favorites! We have to do 8 hours in a car total for Christmas, and that’s if we’re lucky.
I love popcorn, pistachios and beef jerky. YUM.
Amber NElson says
These are great ideas for snacks on the road. Way better than chips and soda!
Stacie says
I must admit I do need to pay more attention to the nutrition facts of my snacks. I do love popcorn and flavoured sparkling water would be great on a road trip.
Anne, Mommy Has to Work says
CVS always has done awesome snacks! Love their nuts the best.
tara pittman says
I love this CVS line of snacks. The popcorn is the best.
Jennifer H says
I’ve tried the CVS brand for many of those snacks, they are tasty! I’ll have to look for the sparkling water. It sounds good.
Jennifer Sikora says
I love mixing pistachios and wasabi peas together. It is my favorite all time on the road snack! Your snack ideas are great.
Angelic Sinova says
Being hungry on the road is the worst! Whenever I take road trips/long car rides I always make sure to stock u on all my favorite healthy treats <3
andi says
oh for me – LOTS and LOTS of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – and Hostess cupcakes – and Coca Cola 🙂
Latoicha says
I usually take almonds, carrots and popcorn. I love popcorn! I will definitely try the CVS Gold Emblem popcorn for my next road trip!
Mardene Carr says
Nuts and kind bars….however when I am in Jamaica I have to stop at the jerk stand and no snacks necessary…LOL
Jenna Wood says
Nuts are a must on a road trip- the protein staves off poor snack choices and helps keep one fueled for the road ahead. These are all great picks!
Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations says
I love having nuts for snacks on road trips. Good fats, tasty and portable.
Pam says
CVS has so many great snacks. Whenever I stop there I wind up stocking up on snack food.
Jeanette says
Healthy snacks are definitely the way to go on a trip! I find that if I eat it like I normally do at home I feel much better.
Jennifer says
I really should take healthier snacks with me when I’m on the go. I ALWAYS end up eating a bunch of garbage.
Faye says
Yum, these are perfect for a road trip! Love the popcorn!
Stacy says
As a vegan, I always pack lots of healthy snacks when I travel because I never know what vegan options I will be able to find. I always take nuts, usually cashews and almonds. I keep a vegan protein bar (like Clif or Luna) if I need something a little more filling. I do buy vegan jerky, but that is usually only when I am flying. I like to have something salty, like pretzels. And I need something to satisfy my sweet tooth, which lately has meant swedish fish!
Chanelle says
Sounds like we have pretty similar taste in snacks! (Except the meat :))
Wendy says
Love my popcorn! I try not to put to much stuff on it so it is still healthy to eat. Great traveling snack!
Alexander @ Cash Flow Diaries says
My main problem when im on the road is that I always thing that is the perfect time to eat fast food. its really the only time i eat fast food but I really need to stop doing that. You are on to something here! Great choices!
shelly peterson says
These are really some great snack ideas. They all sound yummy and love that they are healthy.
Amy Desrosiers says
CVS has the best healthy snacks for on the go! I love their raw almond, and rice crackers too!
CAROL CASSARA says
What a good reminder to parents. I see so many sugary snacks being promoted, can’t be good. These look better.
Adriana says
I love all of those natural options at CVS very tasty and you don’t have to break the bank great tipa thanks for sharing
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
These are all great options. I try to keep healthy options on hand at all times when I go on trips. That way, I won’t be stopping for junk.
Sarah Bailey says
What some fantastic sounding ideas, I have to admit I do like nuts myself as a snack. x
Tiffany Cruz says
I love to snack on nuts. My kids do too. Thanks for sharing these snack ideas. I’m always looking for new snack options.
Amanda || Growing Up Madison says
I’m allergic to nuts so won’t be able to eat them but my kids on the other hand, especially my daughter who is a vegetarian would LOVE these.
Margot C says
Those are some good items. We sort of go half and half. I pack healthy things for travel (I even have cooler), but them we buy stuff too that’s not so great for us.
Lois Alter Mark says
Those are all great choices. I am such a junk food eater and need to look for healthier snacks like these.
Sarah says
I’ve only tried the sparkling water and it was so good. Healthy snacks are perfect for road trips!
Chanelle says
The sparkling water might be my fave CVS product!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
We always pack snacks for road trips too! Cuts down on drive through visits!
Krystal says
Their sparkling water is so good. I also love their popcorn and nuts. Easy snacks and cheap too!
Ashley Gill says
We like to do nuts on the road too. They’re a great way to keep your energy up. A little treat is chocolate. Also the kind you have to unwrap or have your passenger help you out with. That’ll keep you awake on your long drive!
Lesley says
I definitely need to make a list of healthy snacks to travel with. I tend to eat out too much on the road.
Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) says
Nuts are the best snack. We don’t travel a mile without food. LOL
Brandy says
I am all about beef jerky! Out of the whole list, that is my go to for roadtrips! I do like the looks of some of the products you have featured in the images though, will check those brands!
Chrysa says
I always like to take snacks that combine salty and sweet. Nutty granola bars are usually my favorite.
Teresa Simpson says
My kids love it when I bring grapes and blueberries on a road trip. They make minimal mess and they are yummy!
barb g. says
Some great snack tips you have. I love popcorn as you can still eat a lot of it even with diabetes too. The only one I didn’t like from your list is beef jerky, not a fan of that.
Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas says
Pistachios and almonds are two of my favorite snacks. I am also a sucker for a good protein bar. All of them look good, though!
LauraOinAK says
Having snacks when traveling is a must! Otherwise those fast food places look too ‘good’ when hunger strikes. I even keep stuff like this in my vehicle when driving around during the winter. I don’t want to get stuck somewhere and not have food available.
Heather Johnson says
I love peppermint seltzer right now, which is a healthier alternative to sugary sodas.
Chanelle says
That sounds really good! I’ll have to try that.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Until I had kids, I never really realized how important it is to have snacks on a roadtrip. Before them, if I was hungry – I could wait until I found a place to eat. KIDS CAN’T WAIT. They get HANGRY, so snacks are a must.
Chanelle says
Ha! I kinda feel the same way about myself – hunger is urgent!
Gingermommy says
I try to bring snacks that give us energy and make us feel good. Stuff like fruit and granola travels well I find
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I bring lots of granola bars with us when we travel, too! Everyone likes them and they are filling.
Pam W says
I always take some of the high protein bars along on road trips. I find it is easier to keep driving when I’ve had a little snack!