After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, more Americans are looking to travel in 2021. In a recent poll, more than two-thirds of respondents indicated they did not yet feel comfortable traveling by plane, making road trips an increasingly popular option. With summer almost here and kids approaching the end of the school year, it’s the perfect time to explore this country’s scenery by car or recreational vehicle.
Getting active while on the road provides an excellent opportunity to take advantage of scenic views. Consider stopping at a scenic site, park, a body of water or a greenway for a walk, active family game, free play for kids or a yoga session. For a bonus workout, pack small exercise equipment, such as jump ropes or exercise bands. Another way to get in some steps is to find a museum or a downtown area, then explore the surrounding area on foot.
Most drive-thru fast-food restaurants aren’t known for a wide variety of healthy options. Convenient snack foods are often highly processed, containing sodium, sugar and ingredients that can alter hunger cues and cause overeating. Consider bringing along or purchasing these healthy and convenient snack items for your trip:
- Vegetables — sugar snap peas, sliced cucumber, carrot chips, celery and cherry tomatoes.
- Fruits — apples, bananas, oranges, kiwis, grapes, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.
- Protein — a flavored tuna pack, hummus or Greek yogurt for veggie dipping, pre-portioned nuts or roasted chickpeas.
- Grains — popcorn, granola bar with less than 10 grams of sugar, whole wheat crackers.
Snacks are great, but it’s also good to come prepared with meal options. While sandwiches and wraps offer handheld meals, consider switching it up by pre-portioning pieces from a rotisserie chicken the night before to pair with a pasta salad. This pasta salad recipe packs in nutrients from a variety of vegetables, adds a nice crunch from bell peppers and cucumbers, and is balanced to keep the family full until the next stop.(Visited 356 times, 1 visits today)
Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz box rotini pasta, preferably whole wheat
- 1 red or orange bell pepper, diced
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup black olives, drained and sliced
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- ⅓ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes, julienne cut, in oil
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup Italian dressing, homemade or store-bought
Instructions
1. Bring pasta to a boil and drop in the pasta.
2. Cook for about 6 minutes, or to desired texture. It’s recommended to have the pasta al dente so it does not have a mushy texture when combined with dressing.
3. Combine all ingredients. Enjoy!
Homemade Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3/4 tsp dried parsley
- 3/4 tsp dried basil
- 1/8 tsp dried oregano
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Whisk all ingredients or mix in a blender.
Optional: To get more flavor from the dried spices, first grind with your fingers or use a mortar and pestle.
Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family. See more at ahealthiermichigan.org.
Author: A Healthier Michigan
Our mission is to help everyone in Michigan get healthier from the inside out. This means everything from giving you resources to help you make better decisions about diet and exercise, as well as information on creating and sustaining nurturing communities and successful businesses — everything you need to help create a healthier Michigan.
Our mission is to help everyone in Michigan get healthier from the inside out. This means everything from giving you resources to help you make better decisions about diet and exercise, as well as information on creating and sustaining nurturing communities and successful businesses — everything you need to help create a healthier Michigan.
