How to Keep Kids Eating Healthy When On-the-Go

It is so easy these days to just roll your GMC into a drive-thru and get something deliciously unhealthy when you’re on-the-go. It’s especially easy when you have your kids riding with you. This way you don’t have to worry about making them lunch or dinner, and once you get home you can let them play a little before they’re off to take a bath and get ready for bed. However, while it’s easy to get your kid(s) some fast food, it would be so much better for you and them to have some simple snacks planned for car rides and the on-the-go lifestyle.  

Trust the Science 

It is scientifically proven that the more you introduce children to healthy treats and drinks, the less likely they are to become obese or be diagnosed with diabetes (and so many other diet- and stress-related illnesses). The tips we have for you won’t take much time, effort, or money on your end to have ready to go when you need to get movin’ in your GMC.  

Vegetables Are the Easiest Snack to Prepare 

One of the first tricks to getting your kids relaxed and settled for a drive is to give them some veggie sticks. It doesn’t matter if they’re carrots, celery, cucumbers, cherry or grape tomatoes, etc. What does matter is to make sure they have something to potentially dip those veggies into. This is when those little individual packets or cups of either hummus or peanut butter will come in handy. Getting kids to eat plain vegetables can be challenging, so why not make it fun with low-calorie dips? You can buy each one of these things at the grocery store already cut for you, along with the cups of hummus. To save money, you can buy the veggies whole, cut them yourself, and portion larger volumes of dips into smaller containers to grab on-the-go.  

Crackers, Rice Cakes, Cheese, and Peanut Butter, Oh My 

More great snacks that are both delicious and healthy are whole grain crackers and rice cakes. If kids find the rice cakes a little bland, you can spread some peanut butter or almond butter on them to add some flavor and fun. If you are packing crackers, your child may love to have some cheese cubes or string cheese to go along with them. Basically, it’s a baby on-the-go charcuterie board in a sandwich bag. It’ll make it even better if your kids see you eating lots of cheese and crackers, since they’ll want to mimic you. Plus, the peanut or almond butter will add a little extra protein if they have a tough time eating full meals.  

Yogurt Tubes Are Fun and Delicious 

Kids need healthy doses of good gut health just like adults, which is why yogurt tubes that they can squeeze into their mouths are excellent on-the-go treats. It’s easy, simple, and always tasty. Plus, it’s great in the car because it’s not really a potential choking hazard. Kids under ten only need about as much as 19 grams of protein per day, so a yogurt tube is great, as it has a couple grams of protein—just enough to keep them lively and active, but not so much that they’re going to be too stuffed to eat a healthy dinner.  

Hard-Boiled Eggs 

Another great way to get kids to eat enough protein is to let them have 1-3 hardboiled eggs. It’s an easy and delicious snack that will help them meet their daily protein needs. Plus, hard-boiled eggs have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are excellent for eye health, and there are some studies that show eating hard-boiled eggs can help to increase brain development. To make it easier to prepare hard-boiled eggs, you can buy an egg cooker online for around $25 that will hard-boil the eggs so you don’t have to. Just be careful if you’re letting kids eat them in the car. Make sure you have your finger on the trigger of a window when the time comes.  

Trail Mix and Dark Chocolate 

One snack it seems every kid loves is trail mix, thanks to its blend of sweet and salty between the various nuts, dried fruits, and even chocolate. It may not seem healthy, but it’s a great snack to keep a kid energetic when on-the-go. Throw in some dark chocolate chips for a real treat that’s also very healthy. Dark chocolate has been shown to be good for your heart, is high in fiber, has a ton of useful minerals like iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and copper. Each one of those minerals has major health benefits for your immunity, bones, and more. Just be careful, because too high of a percentage of dark chocolate does have some caffein, so moderation is key for kids.  

You Can Never Beat a Good Sandwich 

When push comes to shove, there is absolutely nothing that can beat the preparation of a good ol’ fashioned sandwich. Whether it’s ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, or even tuna fish, it’s always good to pre-make sandwiches or wraps to take with you for the kids. Adding some lettuce, sliced tomatoes, pickles, and/or cucumbers is also a great way to get kids to eat veggies in general. Don’t forget to make yourself one, too, so you’re not looking at your kid wishing you’d packed an extra sammy. You know how it works.  

Why Choose Penz GMC of Rochester 

At Penz GMC of Rochester, we value our customers. You can find new GMC inventory, including the GMC Sierra 1500 and the all-new Canyon, plus an unmatched collection of used car, truck, van, SUV, and crossover inventory at our dealership near you.  

Are you interested in leasing or financing your next vehicle? The Finance Department at Penz GMC of Rochester can help you find the right lease offer or finance solution that fits your budget. We cultivate relationships with many banks, lenders, and other financial organizations to provide great options for purchasing your new vehicle.  

In addition to the comprehensive factory warranty that comes with your new vehicle, we offer extended warranty and protection programs to safeguard your investment. Get the best deals and specials available to you in a GMC. Our knowledgeable sales staff wants to help you find the perfect fit in a new GMC or used car. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Penz family and help you find your new car or used vehicle.  

Your support and customer service don’t stop after you sign your deal. The expert Service Department at Penz GMC of Rochester is always ready to help with any repairs or maintenance you might need to keep your vehicle running perfectly. Our Express Service Lane will quickly get you back on the road when you need basic maintenance, like an oil change or tire rotation.  

Would you like to make your new car all your own with personalized upgrades? Our well-stocked Parts Department has all of the GMC authentic accessories you need for the best customization of your vehicle. Make your car, truck, or SUV uniquely yours to fit perfectly in your lifestyle. We are eager to help you on your car buying and vehicle ownership journey. Visit us today at Penz GMC of Rochester!