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    MJ & Hungryman » Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes » Healthy Travel Food Ideas (to share with babies and toddlers)

    Healthy Travel Food Ideas (to share with babies and toddlers)

    By Min On June 8, 2022

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    Easy travel snacks all laid out on a white background.

    Here’s a list of healthy, simple, and easy to store and carry travel foods for the family, including babies and toddlers. These plane or road trip meals and snacks will save you time and money while ensuring everyone gets good nutrition!

    Easy travel snacks all laid out on a white background.
    Jump to:
    • Travel Food
    • Food Storage Essentials
    • The Ultimate Road Trip Food List (and the plane)
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Baby Led Weaning Travel Food Ideas
    • Safety Tips
    • Best Tips for Road Trip Food
    • Tips for Packing Food for the Plane

    Travel Food

    Whether you are traveling by car or plane, going anywhere takes on a whole new meaning when you throw little ones into the mix.

    I’m not the type to overpack, quite the opposite actually, but now that I’m a mom, even weekend trips look like we’re flying to the other side of the world. I see you nodding.

    With everything you need to pack and get done prior to leaving, I hope this list of easy, nutritious, and less messy  foods will help ease your load!

    With some planning ahead of time, you can rest easy knowing that your children will stay nourished and happy during the trip! You will be well prepared for when the hunger strikes. 

    Not to mention you’ll save a ton of time and money by not having to purchase foods from the gas station, fast food restaurants, or airport.

    And all these ideas are great not just for traveling, but also for playdates, picnics, and school lunch boxes.

    Food Storage Essentials

    • Reusable containers - These bento boxes are great because they are already divided into compartments so there’s no need for extra sandwich bags or multiple containers. They are also lightweight and very sturdy. I recommend packing one for each of your family members.
    • Reusable bags - cute and inexpensive for travel.
    • Snack Catcher - I like to pack a big bag of dry cereal or puffs and I can easily fill into these cups. Can really help minimize mess, too.
    • Refillable water bottle - You will save so much money and it's good for the environment. You can fill them up at gas stations, hotels, restaurants, airports, etc. This one is our favorite for toddlers and kids.

    The Ultimate Road Trip Food List (and the plane)

    veggie nuggets with cantaloupe in bento box and cooked pasta with cheese in a small container.
    Pictured: veggie nuggets, cantaloupe, cooked pasta, cheese

    Here's a list of best foods to pack! They are my less messy and easy-to-pick-up options. Be sure to modify the food size according to your child's age and chewing ability.

    Fruits

    • Apples
    • Banana (pack both ripe and unripe ones)
    • Cantaloupe
    • Blueberries (be sure to flatten into discs for babies)
    • Grapes (cut lengthwise)
    • Mandarin oranges
    • Peaches
    • Pears
    • Raspberries (see tips section below)
    • Strawberries
    • Fruit and Root Veggie Yogurt Smoothie Melts - use the code MIN5 for $5 off your order
    • Dehydrated or freeze-dried fruits (a great option for the plane, especially!)
    • Squeezable or individual cups of applesauce
    • Baby food pouches
    • Homemade smoothies - transfer to resuable pouches

    Vegetables

    Muffin with vegetables and frozen edamame.
    Pictured: banana carrot muffin, raw zucchini and bell pepper, frozen edamame

    Raw

    • Bell peppers
    • Carrots
    • Cherry or grape tomatoes (quartered)
    • Cucumber

    Tip: If you have time, try cutting them into fun shapes using cookie cutters. My toddler is much more prone to eat them this way vs. chopped or sliced. Perhaps yours may too!

    Cooked

    These are really great for babies, especially since the texture has to be soft. Root vegetables and winter squash are best for packing.

    • Acorn squash
    • Butternut squash
    • Carrots
    • Kabocha
    • Parsnips
    • Sweet potatoes
    • Zucchini

    Protein

    a lunchbox with omelette strips, freeze dried strawberries, roasted orange and purple sweet potatoes.
    Pictured: vegetable omelette, roasted sweet potatoes, freeze dried strawberries
    • Peanut butter - individual packets are super convenient as it allows you to simply squeeze some right on top of raw veggies, bread, etc.
    • Nut butter
    • Nuts and seeds (trail mix is great)
    • Hard-boiled eggs
    • Tofu
    • Cheese
    • Squeezable yogurt tubes (tip: freeze them!)
    • Edamame (also add frozen!)
    • Milk Carton (yup. Freeze)
    • Individual portions of hummus
    • Beans
    • Cream cheese wedges
    • Canned seafood: I almost always take a can or two just in case. Mash and spread on top of toast or mix into pasta (definitely not for the plane!)
    • Shredded or diced chicken (here's how to cook it perfectly every time!)

    Grains

    Cereal, crackers, pouch, cheese, and chestnuts.

    I recommend whole grains whenever possible!

    • Bread
    • Cereal bars
    • Cooked pasta - If your child likes legume-based pasta, like chickpea and lentil, it'd be an easy way to boost protein and iron.
    • Granola bars
    • Dry Cereals
    • Crackers
    • Rice cakes
    • Sandwiches

    Healthy Recipes

    PBJ sandwich roll ups with sweet potatoes and vanilla wafers.
    Pictured: sunflower butter and jelly sandwich roll ups, carrots, parsnips, vanilla wafers

    All of these are easy to make and travel well! Combine these with any of the finger foods above for a healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

    Healthy Yogurt Muffins
    Light, fluffy, and incredibly moist, these whole wheat greek yogurt muffins are made with just a handful of ingredients and can be flavored in so many ways!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of sliced yogurt muffin.
    Baked Veggie Nuggets
    These baked veggie nuggets are an easy and fun way to get more vegetables into your child's diet! Made with four vegetables, they are perfect for lunch or snack!
    Get the recipe
    A toddler's hand dipping one of the nuggets in beet hummus.
    Healthy Carrot Banana Muffins
    These banana carrot muffins are perfectly moist, healthy, and flavorful! Made with all natural ingredients, they are a great breakfast that even your baby and toddler can enjoy!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot sliced muffin on toddler's hand.
    Baked Sweet Potato Tots
    These oven-baked sweet potato tots are made with just 4 ingredients and are a healthy snack or side dish for the entire family!
    Get the recipe
    tots plated on a white plate with toddler's hand dipping one into green hummus.
    Chickpea Patties (gluten free)
    These flavorful chickpea patties with quinoa are easy to make with simple pantry staples. Shape them into patties or even nuggets
    Get the recipe
    a toddler's hand dunking the chickpea cakes in pizza hummus
    Vegetable Omelette
    Nutritious and easy to make, this baby-friendly omelette made with whatever veggies you have on hand is the perfect breakfast/snack for babies and toddlers!
    Get the recipe
    a lunchbox with omelette strips, freeze dried strawberries, roasted orange and purple sweet potatoes.
    Healthy Zucchini Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
    These zucchini oatmeal cookies are so easy to make with wholesome, minimal ingredients and no added sugar!
    Get the recipe
    Three stacked cookies.
    Healthy Blueberry Muffins for Babies
    These blueberry baby muffins are sweetened with fruits only and loaded with nutrition! They're soft and moist, making them perfect for babies
    Get the recipe
    A close-up of muffins on a wire rack
    Spinach Pancakes
    These green baby pancakes are super easy to make, healthy, and the perfect finger food for baby led weaning.
    Get the recipe
    stacked spinach baby pancakes
    Baby Banana Pancakes
    Made in a blender with simple ingredients, these banana pancakes for babies and toddlers make for a delicious and filling snack or meal. Fluffy and moist, if you are looking for a baby led weaning pancakes recipe, this is it!
    Get the recipe
    baby friendly banana protein pancakes spread out on a blue plate with berries and peanut butter
    Savory French toast
    This savory vegetable French toast or eggy bread is an EASY and fun way to use up leftovers. Suitable for babies 6 months and up!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of baby French toast strips as well as bite-sized pieces on a parchment paper
    Vegetable Waffles with Peanut Butter
    EASY to make, healthy peanut butter vegetable waffles for babies and kids! A great way to enjoy more protein, fat, and veggies for breakfast.
    Get the recipe
    three stacked peanut butter waffles topped with banana and raspberries
    Beet Pancakes
    Moist and fluffy, these egg-free beet pancakes are perfect for babies six months and up. Made with six ingredients all thrown into a blender, they're great to make with your toddler or older child.
    Get the recipe
    five cooked beet pancakes with yogurt and peanut butter spread on top of two and a baby reaching for one pancake
    Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
    These healthy oatmeal pumpkin bars are high in protein and low in sugar. A healthy no fuss breakfast or snack for your baby and toddler.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of sliced bars
    Savory Baked Oatmeal with Vegetables
    This savory baked oatmeal is so easy to make and a great way to enjoy vegetables for breakfast! Perfect for baby led weaning and lunchboxes.
    Get the recipe
    three sliced baked oatmeal stacked on top of each other
    Moist Spinach Muffins
    These healthy spinach muffins with banana are fluffy and moist in texture and packed with nutrition. They are perfect for babies and kids.
    Get the recipe
    Spinach muffin with a bite taken out.
    Healthy Beet Muffins for Babies
    Made entirely with healthy ingredients, like beans, peanut butter, and no added sugar, these blender muffins can be enjoyed as breakfast, snack, or added to lunchboxes!
    Get the recipe
    beetroot muffins on a wire rack with a spoonful of peanut butter, chickpeas in a bowl, and uncooked beetroot
    3 Ingredient Baby Cookies
    3 ingredients are all you need to make these soft and delicious vegan banana oatmeal cookies. They are the perfect breakfast or snack for babies!
    Get the recipe
    four carrot oatmeal cookies stacked
    Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies
    These super moist sweet potato cakes made with just 5 simple ingredients, including chickpeas, oats, and chia seeds, are perfect for babies and toddlers.
    Get the recipe
    three sweet potato cookies for babies stacked on a wooden board
    Banana Date Bread
    Soft and moist, this healthy banana bread is perfect for babies, toddlers, and adults! It's super EASY to make with minimal, nutritious ingredients.
    Get the recipe
    three slices of banana date bread stacked on a wooden board
    Healthy Pumpkin Banana Bread
    Made with healthy ingredients, this moist pumpkin banana bread has all the warm pumpkin flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of sliced bread.
    Strawberry banana pancakes
    Made with simple, healthy ingredients, these strawberry banana pancakes are light, fluffy, and delicious! They contain no added sugar and are a delicious breakfast for the whole family!
    Get the recipe
    Stacked pancakes with slices cut out to show the inside.

    Baby Led Weaning Travel Food Ideas

    Waffles, tofu, and sweet potatoes, and raspberries.
    Pictured: vegetable waffles, tofu, sweet potatoes, raspberries

    All of the above recipes are suitable for babies 6 months and up. And here's a list of best finger foods and how to prepare them according to their age.

    You may also be interested in this list of best first foods for baby.

    Safety Tips

    Two toddlers eating in the car trunk.
    • If you are on the road, be sure to make a short snack stop. It is dangerous for babies to eat in their carseats as they are not seated in the fully upright position. And eating in a moving car poses an even greater choking risk. Seat them on someone's lap or a portable chair, like this one! It's compact you can store the tray under the seat.
    • Be sure to cook and cut the foods appropriately so they are safe for babies.
    • This goes without saying, but avoid anything that could pose a choking risk.

    Best Tips for Road Trip Food

    • This is not the time to try new foods! Stick with what you know your toddler likes and be sure to include their favorite foods. If you discover some foods that you think will travel well, try them several times prior to the trip.
    • Be sure to pack food in a cooler, especially during the summer months so everything stays nice and fresh! 
    • Place ice or freezer packs on TOP of the food rather than at the bottom.
    • Eat the most perishable foods first. For instance, eat berries before longer lasting foods, like unripe banana and apples.
    • Pack extra ice packs, and if you are traveling by car, purchase ice from a gas station as necessary.
    • Don't forget to pack: anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, trash bags, ziplock bags, napkins, paper towels.
    • Limit the number of times you need to open the cooler. l highly encourage you to label the meals and snacks so you can easily locate them, adding ones that need to be eaten first at the top.

    Tips for Packing Food for the Plane

    toddler sitting on a stroller with dad carrying luggage and carseat strapped to his back
    • Anything liquid or spreadable (e.g. yogurt, milk, juice, hummus, sunflower butter) - Make sure it follows the 3-1-1 rule : Transfer each item to a 3.4 ounce or less container and place in a clear 1 quart sized bag. Each passenger gets 1 bag.
    • Here's how to travel with baby food, breast milk, and formula.
    • All of the homemade travel food recipes I included above (minus the vegetable omelette) can last for a long time without refrigeration and can be enjoyed at room temperature. You can also freeze them and pack right before leaving for the airport.
    • For foods that need to be refrigerated but can travel safely for several hours, such as cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and yogurt tubes, it’s a good idea to eat them earlier on in the flight.
    • Limit peanut or other nut products. While they are allowed on planes, you just never know if any of your fellow passengers may be allergic.
    • Fruits and vegetables are prohibited if flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S Virgin Islands to the United States mainland.
    • If you're traveling abroad, check out my recap of our trip to Korea from when my son had just turned 2 years old.

    Hope this was helpful! Happy Traveling. Now let's go and make incredible memories with our loved ones!

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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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