Laura Cipullo, RD | Kids’ Nutrition on the Go…for planes, trains and automobiles

06 Feb Kids’ Nutrition on the Go…for planes, trains and automobiles

Posted at 15:00h in Parenting by Laura Cipullo

Kids’ Nutrition on the Go…for planes, trains and automobiles
By Laura Cipullo, RD CDE CEDRD CDN

My family and I are about to set off for Peru. I’m very excited to take this trip and quite eager to learn as much as possible about the Inca culture. However, I’m also ready and “armed” with “nutrition on the go” items for my two boys…especially my younger son Billy. With the help of their star charts, they’ve been trying many new foods lately…even fruits and veggies. Though they’ve been successful at home in their own environments, the Peruvian cuisine and culture may present a sense of uncertainty…setting the food consumption situation up for possible disaster. So I’ve stocked up and packed our bags with kids’ nutrition essentials to get us through our ten days aboard planes, trains and automobiles as we travel to the “Lost City of the Incas.”

A Sneak Peak into Luggage Packing—Kids’ Nutrition on the Go
Pack a few items in your carry on for the plane ride and then safely store the rest in plastic storage bags within your to-be-checked luggage. This helps to ensure that all the food is not confiscated at the security gate! Here’s what I’ve packed:

Milk Boxes: One percent milk in aseptic boxes.
Peanut Butter Packets: Justin’s individual peanut butter packets and some hazelnuts packages. Billy can have a peanut pack and a cereal bar as breakfast. Of course, he can have milk too. Individual packs can ensure food safety and are less likely to be confiscated at security. Plus, you can carry a few with you at all times.
Cereal Bars: Inexpensive Whole Food Bars that Billy loves and can eat as part of his breakfast.
Chia and/or Veggies Squeezers: When traveling to foreign countries, eating raw fruits and veggies may be limited due to the possibility of getting typhoid fever or traveler’s diarrhea. For my kids, I most definitely err on the side of caution and give them squeezers to get their “5-a-days” rather than risk their getting sick.
Clif Z Ropes: Fruit is the first ingredient listed in this easy snack. They’re individually wrapped and easy to eat in the packaging…particularly for dirty hands that have touched railings and plane seats.
Annie’s Fruit Snacks: A favorite real fruit snack option that both my boys absolutely love.
Clif Bars: This is a great bar as it typically doesn’t melt or “smush.” This bar, a yogurt, and a fruit squeezer can serve as an easy, nutritious lunch on the go.
Spelt pretzels (an entire bag): I’m assuming I can buy hummus in Lima. Let’s hope this is true as these Spelt pretzels and hummus can be part of Billy’s dinner although I’m expecting that restaurants in Lima and our hotels in the Andes really will provide a few options the kids may enjoy.
Gummy Vitamins: These will ensure their micronutrient needs are being met on the road. I’ve packed enough vitamins for each child each day of our trip.
Mom and Dad’s Bars: Nutrition bars for the parents can serve as snack options or possibly parts of meals if you’re traveling without actual meal opportunities.
Wipes: Quite obviously, wipes are not edible but they are a must when traveling. Surfaces and little hands have to be cleaned before as well as after eating.