You can make a few preparations to ensure that the trip will be without too much distraction. Here are a few ideas to keep you on the road to safety as you take the long drive to relaxation.

Adjust your Leaving Time

Rather than leaving during the day, think about adjusting your sleeping pattern so that you, the driver or passenger, are awake for an overnight drive.

Driving overnight, or at least in the early hours of the morning, means that your family is more likely to spend a more significant portion of your journey asleep.

Teach your Kids to Read a Map

Avoid those pesky “are we there yet?’ questions by handing over the road map to the kids. Encourage them to look and figure out themselves just how much further you have to go.

Talk them through looking at the key and judging the distance using finger widths as measuring tools and translating them into time.

Take Frequent Stops

It may seem counter-productive to take frequent breaks from the actual driving portion, but letting your high-energy-balls-of-fury get out and run around should keep them calm when you get back to your journey.

Plan out some sites to see, or even just hit some parks along the way and let the kids run around. Twenty to thirty minutes of playtime can turn into a few hours of peace for your concentration on the road.

Break Out Snacks

The type of food you eat along your journey will make a difference in everyone’s mood and behavior while in the car. Think about packing some healthy, yet neat, snacks that everybody can snack on in the car.

Avoid stopping in the drive-thru or the road-side diner as these foods will tend to be high in fat and salt that bring the mood down as you sit in the car. Bring some nuts, dried fruit, even some homemade sandwiches are great alternatives.

There are many great ways to ensure you can keep your concentration on the road and avoid having the craziest backseat on this side of the Mississippi. Take these tips, utilize them, and use them to fit your family and their interests. Ensure that the journey is just as memorable as the destination itself, and it will be a vacation your family will remember forever.

The post Summer Vacation Travel: How to stay safe on the road and keep the kids occupied appeared first on Quick Med Care.

 

 

1.   Mixed Nuts and Trail Mix

• Nuts are a great nutritious snack, they provide the perfect balance of healthy fats, proteins and fiber
• They are very filling, so if you eat them in moderation, you may lose weight
• They don’t need refrigeration so you can take them anywhere and eat them anytime
• Add dried fruit, pretzels or maybe even some candy-coated chocolate pieces and you’ll have yourself a great snack 

2. Red Bell Pepper with Guacamole

• Bell peppers are nutritious, with red ones being high in antioxidants, like beta carotene, capsanthin and quercetin
• They are extremely rich in vitamin C, having over 300% of the daily recommended value
• Bell pepper, paired with guacamole, is high in healthy fat and fiber

3. Greek Yogurt and Berries/Nuts

• Greek yogurt is high in protein, calcium and potassium
• Add mixed berries, which are high in antioxidants, and maybe some nuts, and you get a delicious nutritious snack

4. Apple Slices and Peanut Butter

• This common snacking staple is tasty and good for you
• Apples are high in fiber and antioxidants that improve gut health and reduce heart disease risk
• Peanut butter in moderation has been shown to increase good cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol

5. Hard Boiled Eggs

• Eggs are one of the healthiest and weight-loss friendly foods you can eat
• They pack plenty of protein and vitamins K2 and B12
• They are super filling and won’t leave you wanting to snack for a few hours

6. Cottage Cheese with Flax Seed and Cinnamon

• Cottage cheese is high in protein and very filling
• It pairs great with flax seed, which is known for blood sugar control and aiding in weight loss
• Add in some cinnamon for flavor, which aids in lowering blood sugar and may help with gut health 

7. Celery Sticks and Cream Cheese or Peanut Butter

• Celery has been a go-to food for healthy eaters for years for it’s inflammation-reducing antioxidant properties
• Pair celery with your choice of cream cheese or peanut butter and you get a delicious low-carb and filling snack

8. Kale Chips

• Kale is extremely healthy as it’s loaded with quercetin and kaempferol, which lowers blood pressure and reduces your risk of colon cancer
• Drizzle kale leaves with olive oil and salt. Bake them in a 350 ° oven for 10-15 minutes for a crunchy snack

9. Veggies and Hummus

• Hummus is great paired with many of your favorite vegetables
• Take any of the benefits of  your chosen veggies and add hummus to the mix to improve heart health and reduce inflammation 

10. Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella

• Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese match flavors beautifully
• Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium and lycopene, and are a staple food for many cultures
• Pair tomatoes with a high-protein, high-calcium, B12-loaded layer of mozzarella, and you have healthy snack

There are many more healthy snack pairings that you can eat and enjoy. We’ve just introduced you to a couple that are high on our snacking (and crunching) radar. Let us know what snacks you love and how you’ve paired them for extra tastiness.

The post Top 10 Healthy Snacks appeared first on Quick Med Care.