Anonymous
04/11/2025 11:07
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No one ever said “Oh good! You packed the carrot sticks.”
I mean, yes, they and the bell peppers, apples, etc. are an important part of UMC virtue-signaling on long drives. “It’s OK to stop at McDonalds this one time. We’re not REALLY people who eat there.”
But I think OP was asking about the treat items, the stuff that you don’t normally buy but go with road trips like popcorn and movie theaters. For me, it’s a can of Pringles. For kids, Doritos.
(Now cue all the people saying “But MY kids really do like carrot sticks!”)
If I eat nothing but convenience store snax, I feel icky and have to stop snacking entirely, and that's no good. But if I throw a little something marginally healthful down there too, I can enjoy my highly processed treats just fine.
The trick is finding healthful stuff that isn't a sticky mess.
God forbid you have to refrain from eating every hour or two.
Right? Reminds me of my son’s friends who came with us on a somewhat long road trip. They were 14 or 15 and when we explained we were going to hold off on lunch until late afternoon so we could arrive at the hotel a hour sooner they had a meltdown.
Seriously?? They're teen boys! Of course they're hungry.
Anonymous
04/11/2025 11:05
Subject: Re:Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:We've been doing long road trips for years and tend to bring healthier snacks knowing we'll stop for fast food or fast causal food at some point along the way. I also don't bring snacks that require utensils or are too messy/sticky to eat in the car. We always pack a small cooler for the beverages and the snacks that need to stay cool.
granola or fig bars
popcorn (individual snack bags)
string cheese
trail mix (individual packs)
baby carrots
bell peppers
apple slices
refillable water bottles (one for each of us)
spindrift or similar
gatorade zero (for the kids if they don't want water)
DH and I usually grab coffee when we stop.
almost exactly the same as we pack, except we usually include one junk snack like licorice. we also always pack gum and ginger chews (I’m prone to feeling nauseous when in a car).
Anonymous
04/11/2025 09:54
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No one ever said “Oh good! You packed the carrot sticks.”
I mean, yes, they and the bell peppers, apples, etc. are an important part of UMC virtue-signaling on long drives. “It’s OK to stop at McDonalds this one time. We’re not REALLY people who eat there.”
But I think OP was asking about the treat items, the stuff that you don’t normally buy but go with road trips like popcorn and movie theaters. For me, it’s a can of Pringles. For kids, Doritos.
(Now cue all the people saying “But MY kids really do like carrot sticks!”)
If I eat nothing but convenience store snax, I feel icky and have to stop snacking entirely, and that's no good. But if I throw a little something marginally healthful down there too, I can enjoy my highly processed treats just fine.
The trick is finding healthful stuff that isn't a sticky mess.
God forbid you have to refrain from eating every hour or two.
Right? Reminds me of my son’s friends who came with us on a somewhat long road trip. They were 14 or 15 and when we explained we were going to hold off on lunch until late afternoon so we could arrive at the hotel a hour sooner they had a meltdown.
Good lord feed the hungry child. It takes like 15 minutes to hit a drive a through for a 14 year old who is hungry. What is wrong with you? You don't need to "solve" his eating habits while he's in your care.
Anonymous
04/11/2025 09:48
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Jerky
Combos
Peanut butter sandwich crackers
Nerds gummy clusters
Seasoned almonds
Holy crap. I think you're my husband. Matt?
Anonymous
04/11/2025 09:07
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No one ever said “Oh good! You packed the carrot sticks.”
I mean, yes, they and the bell peppers, apples, etc. are an important part of UMC virtue-signaling on long drives. “It’s OK to stop at McDonalds this one time. We’re not REALLY people who eat there.”
But I think OP was asking about the treat items, the stuff that you don’t normally buy but go with road trips like popcorn and movie theaters. For me, it’s a can of Pringles. For kids, Doritos.
(Now cue all the people saying “But MY kids really do like carrot sticks!”)
If I eat nothing but convenience store snax, I feel icky and have to stop snacking entirely, and that's no good. But if I throw a little something marginally healthful down there too, I can enjoy my highly processed treats just fine.
The trick is finding healthful stuff that isn't a sticky mess.
God forbid you have to refrain from eating every hour or two.
Right? Reminds me of my son’s friends who came with us on a somewhat long road trip. They were 14 or 15 and when we explained we were going to hold off on lunch until late afternoon so we could arrive at the hotel a hour sooner they had a meltdown.
When my kids were 14 or 15, they ate a lot more often than 6-8 hours, which it sounds like you're suggesting.
I'm also not clear on how stopping for lunch later saves you an hour.
Anonymous
04/10/2025 21:18
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No one ever said “Oh good! You packed the carrot sticks.”
I mean, yes, they and the bell peppers, apples, etc. are an important part of UMC virtue-signaling on long drives. “It’s OK to stop at McDonalds this one time. We’re not REALLY people who eat there.”
But I think OP was asking about the treat items, the stuff that you don’t normally buy but go with road trips like popcorn and movie theaters. For me, it’s a can of Pringles. For kids, Doritos.
(Now cue all the people saying “But MY kids really do like carrot sticks!”)
If I eat nothing but convenience store snax, I feel icky and have to stop snacking entirely, and that's no good. But if I throw a little something marginally healthful down there too, I can enjoy my highly processed treats just fine.
The trick is finding healthful stuff that isn't a sticky mess.
God forbid you have to refrain from eating every hour or two.
Right? Reminds me of my son’s friends who came with us on a somewhat long road trip. They were 14 or 15 and when we explained we were going to hold off on lunch until late afternoon so we could arrive at the hotel a hour sooner they had a meltdown.
Anonymous
04/10/2025 17:50
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pork rinds. Chicharrones! The hotter the better.
Beer for those not driving.
Good way to make the car smell revolting
Your car most likely already smells revolting to most anyone besides yourself. People don't notice their own smell. Very few vehicles smell "neutral".
Anonymous
04/10/2025 15:38
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Take a loaf of bread and make peanut butter sandwiches. Peanut butter only. Place each sandwich back in the bag, reassembling the loaf. Can last for days w/out refrigeration.
No one wants a peanut butter sandwich. They especially don’t want a 1+ day old one. I can’t imagine being this frugal
Anonymous
04/10/2025 15:36
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pork rinds. Chicharrones! The hotter the better.
Beer for those not driving.
Good way to make the car smell revolting
Any type of food is going to make the car stink. Disgusting. If we have to travel long distances by car (not preferred) we always make sure to look up local or interesting new places to dine in along the way, plus boutique hotels.
Things like Doritos, combos, Cheetos, taxis, basically anything coated with fake cheese or flavoring (cool ranch!) powder make the car smell like vomit and these a gross residue on finger.
Anonymous
04/10/2025 15:26
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Take a loaf of bread and make peanut butter sandwiches. Peanut butter only. Place each sandwich back in the bag, reassembling the loaf. Can last for days w/out refrigeration.
I was forced to take these for lunch every day of my school career. I threw them out for 11 out of 12 years of my school career. My mother died not knowing that.
Anonymous
04/10/2025 15:24
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:No one ever said “Oh good! You packed the carrot sticks.”
I mean, yes, they and the bell peppers, apples, etc. are an important part of UMC virtue-signaling on long drives. “It’s OK to stop at McDonalds this one time. We’re not REALLY people who eat there.”
But I think OP was asking about the treat items, the stuff that you don’t normally buy but go with road trips like popcorn and movie theaters. For me, it’s a can of Pringles. For kids, Doritos.
(Now cue all the people saying “But MY kids really do like carrot sticks!”)
We do both! The fresh stuff always moves. But that's because downing half a container of Pringles makes all sized people thirsty. Instead of water, here's a "fresh item" to wash it down so we don't have to stop to pee so much.
Anonymous
04/10/2025 15:22
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No one ever said “Oh good! You packed the carrot sticks.”
I mean, yes, they and the bell peppers, apples, etc. are an important part of UMC virtue-signaling on long drives. “It’s OK to stop at McDonalds this one time. We’re not REALLY people who eat there.”
But I think OP was asking about the treat items, the stuff that you don’t normally buy but go with road trips like popcorn and movie theaters. For me, it’s a can of Pringles. For kids, Doritos.
(Now cue all the people saying “But MY kids really do like carrot sticks!”)
The thing is, it's really easy to grab whatever junk food you are craving at a gas station or McDonalds along the way. What you don't want is for the entire family to be constipated because they haven't had a vegetable in 3 days.
You go on 3 day road trips and no gas stations or restaurants serve vegetables?! WTF kinda backwoods podunk town you exploring?
Anonymous
04/10/2025 15:22
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Combos. I only allow myself to eat them while traveling.
Same!
I have found cutting up pepper or carrots or whatever fruit you have and bringing it with you is great too. It sounds almond mom, but often our snacks are salty, so having something fresh ready to doll out with the salty snacks really helps. My kids once ate an entire package of mini-peppers I had randomly thrown in the snack bag as we packed up a beach house.
Anonymous
04/10/2025 15:22
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pork rinds. Chicharrones! The hotter the better.
Beer for those not driving.
Good way to make the car smell revolting
Any type of food is going to make the car stink. Disgusting. If we have to travel long distances by car (not preferred) we always make sure to look up local or interesting new places to dine in along the way, plus boutique hotels.
Anonymous
04/10/2025 15:19
Subject: Favorite car trip snacks??
Yuck. We don't eat in the car.