Summer is in full swing. That means it's time for road trips! If your family is anything like mine, we stop way too often and always eat a ton of junk on our road trips. I was thinking about how much money this wastes and not to mention how unhealthy it can be, so I began thinking about what I had in my kitchen that I could take as a healthier, and cheaper, alternative to gas station snacks. I first thought about what I normally eat on road trips. I have some sort of candy, someone always gets chips, and we get fast food all the time and we drink a lot of soda. I discovered, after doing some research, there are a lot of healthier alternatives. I have listed a few options and tips to make this road trip your favorite one yet!

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Try Trail Mix!

Open your cupboard. Do you have cheerios or Chex cereal? How about some chocolate chips or M&M's? Dried fruit maybe? What about nuts or fruit snacks? Do you have any of these ingredients, if so you're in luck. One of the easiest and fairly healthy snacks you can bring on any road trip is trail mix. You can take any combination of the above ingredients, or anything you want really, throw them in a container with a lid and shake it up. Bam, trail mix done! Because this is an easy snack you can add something for everyone to enjoy. My family likes to use M&M's, cheerios, fruit snacks and nuts. Trail mix can be crunchy, salty and delicious. Just like chips, a major junk food. So if you know your family will crave chips on your road trip break out the trail mix instead!

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Pack Some Fruit!

Maybe you're not a big fan of salty things, so when you go on a road trip you like to have something sweet! Sweets are delicious, but they can be unhealthy. So before you decide to stop at the next gas station to get a cookie or candy bar, try bringing along some fruit. The natural sweetness of fruit will hit the spot! Some ideal road trip fruits include berries, pre-sliced and packed in a container, grapes, bananas and apples. If you aren't planning on bringing a cooler, dried fruit works just as well and tastes just as good.

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Stay Hydrated!

With record heat hitting much of the country it's very important to stay hydrated. Although soda may taste good, it doesn't hydrate that well. Instead on your next road trip bring boxed juices, sports drinks, and of course lots of water. If you don't like the taste of plain water, give it a kick by making your own flavored water. All you need is some fruit or vegetables, herbs, and water. Mash, chop, or squeeze the fruits into your water for just the right amount of flavoring. There are so many different recipes for flavored water I suggest doing some research on it! This way you can keep hydrated, drink things that are good for you, and save money by not buying soda every time you stop!

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Don't Forget the Sandwiches!

On any road trip, you'll realize that you and your companions want more than just snacks. Generally you find the nearest fast food joint, gobble it up and you're on the road again! Well, why not bring your own lunch along? You can either bring bread, condiments, and lunch meat with you so everyone can make something they like. Or make peanut butter and jelly, turkey, ham, egg salad or any other type of sandwich you like wrap them up and store them in the cooler until you need them!

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Tips for a Great Trip!

We've covered the snacks, drinks and food you might want to bring with you. Now onto some helpful tips! Bring a cooler to store all of your delicious treats in. Don't rush to your destination, take the time to enjoy your family, friends, or whoever you're road tripping with! Half the fun is getting there. Remember to take a lot of breaks and switch off driving! Most of all remember to have fun!