The Honest Dietitian's 2016 Commuter Food Favorites

Featuring My Favorite Commuter Foods

I drive a lot. I made the choice to go for my PhD and since I am a parent and had no intentions of moving my kids away from their friends and schools, this means I have a 3 hour round-trip commute to school between 1-4 days per week (depending on the semester). Couple that in with a full-time job as a clinical nutrition manager for three of those years...I have been busy. There is no doubt that a crazy schedule like this can sure make a person Hangry if they are not careful. And, since a lot of my commute is on the beautiful I-40, there have been many a times when I have been stuck in traffic for hours due to car accidents, fires, and so on. The worst was when I was leaving campus in time to make it home for my husband's delicious Fodmap friendly taco dip when I hit a standstill on I-40 with no possible way to exit to an alternative route. It was over 90 degrees outside and I had no water (I always carry a refillable bottle but it was empty), no food...and almost two hours later when we started to move, I had a raging migraine. That was the last time I have ever traveled without an emergency snack. Sometimes my schedule has been so packed that the only real "free" time I have had in a day has been the time I am in my car driving to the next scheduled event. I have found that I need to have 3 different types of foods to make my days and commutes the best they can be. I am also making this list with the very true assumption (for me) that there is not going to be appropriate access to a microwave to heat up any food. Here they are:

• Commuter Food Number One: Foods that will get me through my scheduled meal times when I do not have a lunchbox with an ice pack. This is the good 'ole "I'm running so behind that I am going to throw a bunch of food into a plastic bag" situation. Even as a mostly Type A personality, I can't plan for everything to go smoothly so this does happen more often than I like.

GoMacro Thrive Bars & Protein Bars.
I love these bars. My favorite flavors are the Caramel Coconut Thrive Bar & the Protein Pleasure Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bar. GoMacro makes really great products. I just noticed they have a sampler pack, so if you haven' tried these before- I highly recommend them. 


Barney Butters Almond Butter Snack Packs.
These butters are perfect to have on hand and with the large variety of choices, you are definitely going to find a flavor that you love. My favorite flavors are the Vanilla Espresso, Honey Flax, Cocoa Coconut, and the Bare Smooth Almond Butter. I literally have one of these snack packs in my purse at all time. Buy them here.

You will love these almond butters!

Artisans Organics Single Serving Squeeze Packs.
To be honest, I might be in love with the cashew nut butter. It is so incredibly creamy and delicious, I just love it so much. They also make squeeze packs for pecan butter, walnut butter, coconut butter, and so on. You will see me using their coconut butter & unbelievable cocoa spreads in some future recipes. Get your squeeze packs here.

Glutino Crackers.
You have to have something to put all of those delicious butters on! I like the original, cheddar, and sea salt crackers by Glutino. They are gluten-free but have a great consistency and are strong crackers to take on the road. The original crackers with the cashew nut butter and an orange, washed down with some chocolate coconut water is my pre-workout snack on my busy driving days. Give Glutino crackers a try!

Healthy Airport Eating

I have to travel quite a bit for my job and it is always a very anxious experience finding food that is healthy in the airports.  The last thing I want to do is resolve to eat fast food and get an upset stomach or feel sluggish when I am on business trips.  I really paid attention to what was being offered in the airports I visited (Detroit, Boston, Tallahassee, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Atlanta, etc.) and was pleasantly surprised with what I found.  Charlotte International Airport by FAR had the best options available.  The picture above features a Goat Cheese Salad with Roasted Peppers and Pistachios with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette, as well as healthier options for chips and beverages.  It was delicious.  When you are traveling to the airport, here are some ideas to make your food choices healthier:

• Pack some snacks if you have room:  It is okay to bring items such as trail mix or granola bars through security.
• Several of the fast food companies are offering oatmeal as a breakfast option.  This is an excellent choice, full of fiber to keep you satisfied longer.
• Choose grilled chicken sandwiches over fried.
• Look for fruit and yogurt parfaits, and I saw hummus and vegetable to-go items in almost every airport I was in.
• When ordering a salad, make sure to have the dressing on the side.  Sometimes getting the dressing on a salad can provide more calories than a Big Mac!
• Look for deli sandwiches that have whole wheat/whole grain bread options (such as Subway!)
• If you can, get a Kids Meal for a more appropriate portion.

And most of all STAY HYDRATED!  Flying can dry you out and sometimes when people are thirsty, then can mistake thirst for hunger and eat too much food.

The Choice is Yours...Fast Food on the Go!

I am moving this weekend & it has just been crazy between work, packing, soccer games, closing on the house, cleaning the house...that finding time to eat has been trivial at times.  Now that our dishes are packed up and we have about 72 hours of insanity, we are going to have to have a few meals on the go. 

There are ways to eat at fast food restaurants without feeling like you've ingested a tire with a glass of grease.  Hands down, my family & I prefer Subway.  It is inexpensive, it is fresh, and it is delicious.  My husband and I split a $5.00 footlong, typically a chicken breast sub loaded with vegetables.  Every one seems to have their favorites!

Here are some tips when choosing meals at fast food restaurants:

• Downsize your meals.  As I mentioned in my previous post on portion control, many times the kid menu options are an adult serving, and less expensive!
• Choose water.  Water is free at most restaurants.  When you are moving, going from sports or activities/events with your children, or just had a hectic day at work, do your body a favor and keep it hydrated!  Your body will love you and you will not feel as bloated.
• Be mindful of your meal.  Yes...you are in a hurry and you are busy.  If you don't take time to let your stomach tell your brain that it is full, then you are likely to over-eat.  Take some deep breaths and give yourselves at least a minimum of 20 minutes from the first bite to the last bite to finish your meal. 
• Look at the way your meal is cooked.  If it is deep-fryed, crispy, or smothered in a cream sauce, then it is not the healthier choice.  Choose grilled or baked items, as well as items with vegetables and leaner meats.
• Watch the condiments & plan ahead.  Mayonnaise can add up to over 100 calories for 2 TBSP and over 140 calories for 2 TBSP of ranch dressing.  Choose low-fat condiments, watch your portions, and plan ahead!  Knowing where you are going to eat beforehand will allow you time to plan for the healthier options!