Second only to “Are we there yet?” is the almost-as-grating “I’m hungryyyyyy!” Let’s face it, car travel is pretty boring for kids and their patience wears thin regardless of how many crayons, Gameboys and magnetic board games you’ve packed. Sometimes a bit of home comfort does wonders in keeping passengers and driver on an even keel.

Car food needs to be different to picnic food and table food. It’s got to be compact, portable, minimally messy and not require cutlery to eat it. What an absolute bonus if it were healthy too!

Car Food Criteria

* Minimal mess (hint: avoid toffee apples!)

* Able to be packed in containers or snap lock bags (hint: avoid soup!)

* Easy to pass around without spilling or causing crumbs (hint: avoid lamingtons!)

* Able to be eaten with hands (hint: avoid prickly pears!)

* Not likely to cause hyperactivity (hint: avoid JUNK!)

Avoid junk, you say? I know it’s hard. Sometimes it just seems easier to hand over a bag of chips or some lollies, but we all know that that kind of food isn’t sustenance. It might keep the littlies quiet while they’re eating them, but soon enough they’ll be crying out for mercy for their grumbly tummies.

Here are some ideas for real food to take on your trip:

* Apple slinkies. Turn ordinary ho-hum apples into cool, fun slinkies with the Amazing Apple Slinky Machine. They’re peeled, sliced, cored and ready to go in under ten seconds!

* Dehydrated fruit snacks. The ideas are limitless here. Seasonal fruits need only be peeled, sliced and dried overnight to create high-flavour, totally munchable treats. Sliced mangoes, apples, peaches, bananas and strawberries are all divine. Or, try pitted cherries or seedless grapes.

* Fruit roll-ups (home made of course!). Simply puree your choice of fruits, pour into the solid sheets in the dehydrator and dry until “leathery”. You can even add nuts, cinnamon, coconut or whatever else takes your fancy for greater interest and flavour.

* Beef jerky. Easy peasy! Marinated, thinly sliced meat is dried overnight and results in a high protein, flavourful and easy to eat snack.

All of the above are guaranteed easy to prepare and with a bit of foresight, you can have them all ready to go at a moment’s notice. The Amazing Apple Slinky Machine and three models of EziDri food dehydrators are available at Live It Up Lifestyle Products. The dehydrators come with recipes and ideas and you’re even welcome to contact Gina at Live It Up on freecall 1800 227 004, or by email at mail@liveitup.net.au and she’ll be happy to send you a FREE e-book entitled “What Can I Do With My EziDri Dehydrator?” No obligation, of course!

Additionally, the following are excellent food choices for car travel:

* An assortment of nuts

* Cheese (some, such as foil-wrapped wedges) don’t require refrigeration

* Hard boiled eggs

* Sandwiches, the great old standby!

Of course, pulling over to rest is advised, not only so the kids can stretch their legs, but also so that the grownups can get some much needed relief from being couped up. Drivers must take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.

Use this time to set a blanket on the ground and take advantage of a gorgeous view. Open up a variety of food choices and the family can take their pick! Happy tummies make for contented travellers and a relaxing holiday!

This article is courtesy of BYO Kids.com.au - Your Family Travel Gurus!

Article Copyright 2005 Wordmistress Productions Pty Ltd