Essential Travel Snacks: The Best Foods to Pack for Travelling

Most of us, when we plan to go, pack a water bottle, some snacks, and maybe a meal if possible. The list ends here, and the troubles start because of unnecessary junky indulgences.

Travelling must always be accompanied by properly packed food and other eating essentials that ensure our satiety and our digestive health. So, let’s turn on the stovetop and cook the best-travelling food list. 

Proper Planning for Peaceful Miles

When it comes to travelling, failing to plan is planning to get sick soon. Each travelling experience starts with planning. 

Each destination demands slightly different food. This is partly due to the weather conditions and the local cuisine. But there’s a silver lining to food prep for travelling when you have a whole range of healthy instant meals from Aashirvaad.

For example, visiting Vietnam as a vegetarian will come pouncing upon your peace. The reason being the prevalence of non-vegetarian foods in the locality. In such case, you can just open a pack of Aashirvaad Instant meal like its Instant Mini Idli Sambar, add hot water to it and enjoy your wholesome vegetarian meal. 

Here are a few factors to consider if travelling to:

Hot Weather

If you are travelling to any hot climate zone, for example, Rajasthan, be sure to pack foods that will help you stay hydrated. 

• Fruits rich in water content should surely be embraced. Think of oranges, berries, cucumbers, etc. Try looking for fruit juices and coconut water in the local shops of your travelling destinations. 
• Hot conditions can make you sweat more. This may mean losing more electrolytes. So, carry electrolyte-rich drinks too. 

Cold Weather

Unlike hot weather, cold winds bring different challenges. Here, your body will be burning more calories to stay warm. So, to compensate for this, 

• Pack some calorie-dense foods such as nuts, seeds, energy bars, cheese, etc. 
• Instant coffee, ginger tea bags, hot chocolate, or any other warm drink of your choice should be respectfully provided with a corner of your bag. 

Rainy Weather

If you are planning to visit places such as Kerala, Goa, Pune, Cherapunji, or other places that see high rainfall, then make sure you have your food packed in waterproof containers. This will prevent it from getting soggy.

• Carry some resealable bags with you. Use these to pack snacks, especially crackers, granola, and other necessary items, even phones. 
• Always keep some quick bites like date laddu, avocado, roasted chana, multi-millet mix cookies, energy bars, or maybe some Indian delicacy like Thepla to recharge yourself and enjoy the rain without worrying about your hunger.

Trekking Areas

Trekking is a trickier landscape. On treks, you might not want to pack a heavy bag. But, because it is a tiresome and physically demanding activity, you need foods that occupy less space and yet provide more calories. 

• Dry Fruits, 
• Energy Bars, 
• Electrolytes, 
• Fat Cubes (Cheese, Butter, Etc.), 
• Jerky And Dried Meats, 
• Coffee, 
• Dark Chocolate
• Fruits like bananas, berries, etc. You should also try local seasonal fruit that is native to the place. 

all these foods will bless you with energy and nutrition. 

Location-Based Planning

Each travel destination offers one specific type of food the most. For example, vegetarians might find it hard to manage in areas such as China, Vietnam, etc. So, always do your research beforehand about the local cuisine of the place you are travelling to. 

If the food there is something that you are allergic to, are restricted to (lactose, nuts, gluten, etc.) or simply prefer not eating, then pack accordingly

Healthy Snacks For Travelling

The first things that must go into your rucksacks are some snacking items. But when we speak about snacking, people generally think of wafers and biscuits. Chips and biscuits stay loaded with brutal amounts of unhealthy calories with no nutritional value at all. 

Here are some healthy snacking options to always keep in mind and in your bags:

Protein and Fats – Going out doesn’t mean your body has to run out of essential protein and healthy fats. To compensate, always carry a pack of healthy nuts and seeds. Carry these. These will be direly useful if you are going on a trek.

• Cashews, 
• Almonds, 
• Walnuts, 
• Pistachios, 
• Pumpkin Seeds, 
• Dates, 
• Or Any Dry Fruit You Love. 

Hydrating Snacks – Once you’ve taken care of fats and protein, it comes to snacks. Carry fruits such as: 

• Whole fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, mango, guava
• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• Grapes
• Figs
• Apricots
• Chia seed-infused water

Apart from these, there are other functional snacks such as:

• Yoghurt or Curd 
• Kefir
• Or Other Fermented Drinks like Beetroot Kanji 
• Buttermilk
• Granola bars
• Cheese
• Trail mix 

These will help your guts stay strong with the army of probiotics. The granola bars, cheese, trail mix will give you instant energy boost. 

This is especially important because eating outside food might pose challenges. Your gut must be ready to take it well.

Not all might like eating nuts and seeds all the time. It might make the trip a bit boring for many. If you are one of those, try this 

• Make delicious and energy-rich dry-fruit laddoos 
• Dates laddu 
• Cashew coated with dark chocolate 
• Stir fry Vegetables
• Salad Bowls
• Fresh smoothies made of banana, spinach, blueberry, etc

The Timeless Non-Perishables

When travelling, we can’t carry a fridge everywhere we go, unless we miniaturize them and promise them the coolest vacation ever. This is where non-perishable items come in, foods that actually could withstand the lash of time. And thanks to Aashirvaad, there are some amazing instant healthy food options that you can prepare on the go by just adding hot water to it. 

• Nuts, seeds, bars, dried fruits, etc.
• Whole grain bread and crackers 
• Instant oatmeal packets
• Instant oatmeal or cereal cups 
• And to spread some grace upon your bread, carry peanut butter, almond butter, cheese slices, etc. 
• Roasted Peanuts, Makhana, Chana. They provide quick energy, protein and healthy fats, are low in calories and are high in fibre.
• Aashirvaad Instant Poha for a quick snack. Just add water and you are done.
• Aashirvaad Instant veggie Upma for a simple breakfast option
• Aashirvaad Instant suji Halwa with Jaggery , a healthy sweet option for all the sweet tooths on the road
• Aashirvaad Instant Idli-Sambar is for easy, on-the-go meals. A combination of healthy, nutritious and easy-to-carry travel food. 

Pro Tip: No trip is complete without a cup of tea or coffee of course. So don’t forget to carry milk powder with you. Instead of buying a big pack, go for medium-sized sachets as milk powder can easily gather moisture. 

Tips for Staying Hydrated

When our eyes are set on the scenes and minds on the location, we tend to drink less. This is why we easily get constipated when on a trip. You don’t have to go through this. 

• Always carry a reusable water bottle with you. Make sure the bottle is light. 
• A thermal bottle is always the best option – cold water in hot, and hot water in the chilly regions. 

Apart from water, keep these points in mind

• Always look to drink fresh drinks that are locally available. 
• Ensure that hygiene is maintained while making these drinks and that no sugar is added to them. 
• Go for fresh fruit juices, coconut water, buttermilk, lassi, etc. 
• Don’t go for bottled juices or soft drinks as they are heavily loaded with sugars.

Initial Meals and Containers

There is no match for home-cooked food. So, you might surely want to pack it for at least the first day of your travel as the food may spoil after this. Try not to cook dal as, firstly, it is gassy; secondly, it is liquid and may spill; and it might spoil comparatively faster. 

• Try cooking some healthy vegetable cheelas, parathas, roti, rice, or other cooked items with a longer shelf life. 
• Pickle surely must accompany these. 
• Use air-tight and spill-proof containers.

A little spill might spoil all your luggage and travelling experience. 

Be Mindful on the Road

The moment we step into the street, the tempting smell of street food starts pulling us closer, until a morsel is in our mouth. While trying local cuisine is necessary to ensure a deeper, immersive travelling experience, you might want to avoid over-indulgence and food that maintains no hygiene. 

• Always keep your portion size small, especially when cherishing local delicacies. 
• The best way is to share your food with your buddies and try theirs. 
• Don’t mix foods that should not be eaten together. For example, cold milk or coffee along with curd, sour fruits, samosa, etc. Think of food compatibility. 
• If you feel full, don’t eat, even if it is the last pizza slice (alright, this might be too much to ask for). 
• Beware of constant snacking and heavy meals while travelling. 
• If you are allergic to something, always ask the chef or restaurant if those allergens are there or not. 

Tiny but Essential Items

Carry these things with you. 

• Healthy Herbs, 
• Seasonings, 
• Salt And Pepper, 
• Chutneys, 
• Sauces, 
• Or Any Condiment you love.

Carry Digestive Aids. 

• Triphala powder is an Ayurvedic blend that can strengthen your digestion and provide quick relief in case there is trouble going on inside. 
• Also, carry tablets for diarrhoea or constipation. 
• Never compromise on your fibre content to prevent these things. 
• Oats, fruits, veggies, nuts, cereals, all these things can ensure you get proper fibre during your trip.

Things To Avoid 

Canned Items – These are always a good option to look for. However, there is a downside. These foods come with high sodium content. So, look for a canned item that is low in sodium, much low. If you can’t, here are other items to consider.

Meat and Seafood: Raw or cooked meat and seafood are prone to spoilage and may not stay at safe temperatures during travel.

Cut Fruits and Vegetables: Pre-cut fruits and vegetables may spoil quickly and can be messy. If you are eating your cut fruits within 2 hours then good otherwise it’s better to pack whole fruits or opt for dried varieties.

Deep-fried food: Deep-fried foods, such as fries or crispy snacks, are best avoided during travel as they tend to lose their texture and flavor, becoming soggy and less appetizing. Additionally, the excess oil in deep-fried items can lead to spills and create an inconvenience in your luggage. 

The Bottom Line

So, here we are, ready to embark on another journey, armed not just with wanderlust but with the knowledge of how to nourish our bodies on the road. Remember, the allure of travel lies not just in the destinations but in the flavours experienced along the way. 

Don’t compromise on food when travelling. Plan properly, pack some healthy instant food like the Aashirvaad Instant Meals, be mindful while snacking, and be heedful of hydration. To ensure you get enough protein, healthy fats, and fibre, always carry dry fruits, nuts, seeds, energy bars, fruits, vegetables, dried food items, etc. Give priority to non-perishable items. Just one thing – always pack according to your destination, its local cuisine, its weather, etc. 

I hope the next time you pack your rucksacks, you also pack in it the wisdom gained in this article about food items as well, not to mention the digestive aids such as Triphala powder.

Know that a well-fed traveller is a happy traveller, but only if rightly fed. Bon appétit on your journey of a million

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