Nutritious Vegetarian Food to Take With You

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So many people in the American culture live a life on the go. There is so much to do and so much to accomplish. Jobs and gym memberships as well as church involvement and other social activities keep us running. Many people also add children to the equation and then school, sports practices, concerts and more social engagements get thrown into the mix. It’s no wonder that it is difficult to get adequate nutrition. Who has time to fix three nutritious meals at home each day? Most convenience snack items are filled with salt, sugar, fat or all three. Vegetarians have an even greater challenge of staying nourished because the fast food that is available rarely offers not meat protein options. When it’s time to eat and you’re on the go, there are a few things to keep in mind to feed yourself and your family nutritiously.

Easy Vegetarian Snacks
The easiest snacks to take with you are produce items. Fruits and vegetables come conveniently packaged in individual sizes. Apples, bananas, pears and oranges are all nutritious fruits that are self contained and easy to transport. They don’t require refrigeration so they are very easy to bring from home. Carrot sticks, zucchini sticks, broccoli florets and sugar snap peas do need to be prepped a little bit more than the fruits and they require extra packaging, but they are still easy to carry. A small bag of carrots as an afternoon snack can be very refreshing. When you need a little bit denser of a snack, try bringing a bag of pretzels or a box of graham crackers. Both are good sources of nutritious carbohydrates and both will be well complimented with a cup of yogurt. Yogurt also carries with it some protein for an energy boost that is approved for vegetarians. When you need more than a snack and the burger joint isn’t serving veggie burgers, there are also quick and easy meals that you can take with you.

Vegetarian Meals on the Go
Stacking on crackers is a fun way for kids to get a meal on the road. Pack some individual baggies with cheeses, fruit slices, cucumber and zucchini slices and of course, crackers. Even you will enjoy making different stacking combinations for a quick and crunchy lunch. Sandwiches, while less crunchy, are also a very easy on the road solution for what’s for lunch. Pack a few in the morning and they will be ready for lunch. If you get tired of the peanut butter and jelly standby, try adding a little variety to your sandwich making. Mix a few cooked pinto beans and mayo if you like, into your leftover guacamole. The tomatoes and onions add flavor and texture and the whole mixture ends up being a delicious bean salad sandwich. If you do bring foods that require refrigeration, make sure to stick them in an insulated bag with some ice.

Just because you are busy does not mean that you can’t eat nutritious and fun vegetarian foods throughout the day. It does take a little bit of preparation ahead of time, but the availability of good food later in the day is worth the effort. If you do not have time to make snacks in the morning, try stopping at a grocery store instead of a drive through.