I like stopping at travel plazas just as much as the next RVer; they are like mini-malls filled with all kinds of fascinating things to see, do, and purchase. They usually have the best prices on fuel, clean bathrooms, and some pretty decent coffee. Plus, they are great for overnight parking when you are in between destinations. But you have to admit, it’s not easy eating healthy in most of those places. Mix a few travel plaza snacks and meals in with some visits to fast food restaurants on your road trip and you can start feeling, well, downright icky.

Just because we are road tripping, doesn’t mean we have to compromise our diet. It’s much easier to enjoy our adventures when we feel good, and eating well is part of that equation. Healthy snacking on the road just makes more sense; and it’s never been easier.

If you don’t mind spending a little bit of time in your RV kitchen, you can quickly whip up a few on-board snacks. Supermarket shelves, especially the ones at food coops and natural foods stores, are bursting with quick, healthy options. For breakfast, instead of greasy eggs and hash browns, pick up a carton of soy, rice or almond milk along with some high protein cereal. Or, how about a container of soy yogurt mixed in with some granola? If you really want to chow down, make a tofu and potato scramble.

For lunch, instead of feeling that burger glued to the bottom of your stomach, grab a can of garbanzo beans, some olive oil and tahini, a little fresh garlic and you’ve got the ingredients for a quick batch of homemade hummus. White beans are very versatile and make great spreads that can be slathered on some whole grain bread. For a quick and easy meal, combine a can of pinto beans and salsa and pair it with some blue corn chips.

All of those options are packed with protein and will help you concentrate on driving instead of wondering when you're going to stop for your next meal.

If you’re not in the mood to prepare any food, a quick search on the internet can reveal the next healthy eatery up the road. Whole Foods Markets have food bars and dining areas in them, and are located in many metropolitan areas around the country. I like to search on www.happycow.net before I go on a trip to see what tasty restaurants I’ll be able to visit on my route.

Did you know there are actually several plant-based fast food restaurants in the country? Hopefully one day in the near future, we will see more of those kinds of fast food joints popping up at interstate exits. In the meantime, we can do a little online searching mixed with a little on-board whipping, and save the travel plazas for RV fuel fill-ups instead.