Ideas on How to Pack Tooth-Healthy Snacks

Road trips are always eventful with kids in the car. Whether they are asking “are we there yet?” or wanting to play billboard games and I Spy, there is never a dull moment for parents. But then the dreaded words come out of one of their mouths: “I’m hungry.” No one wants to stop more than the designated amount, so snacks are always a must on any sort of road trip. The question is, what kind of snacks are good for my kids or even adults?

The biggest thing to avoid is sugar. Bacteria that eventually create plaque uses sugar as its form of energy, negatively impacting your teeth and aiding in tooth decay. With one-fourth of U.S. children ages 2-5 suffering from tooth decay, we don’t need any more problems. Obviously non-sugary snacks and drinks are hard to come by, but just be aware of what you are eating and snack in moderation.

Tooth-friendly foods are perfect for any type of travel. Cheese can help stimulate saliva glands that allow your mouth to remove bacteria and acids from previous foods. Pack some string cheese with celery and some apples and you and your teeth are good to go.

Continuous snacking increases risk of more cavities, so bag snacks for each family member can come in handy; they restrict what foods each individual eats to the contents of one bag. Pre-packed and ready to go, these bags can hold healthier options so there are no temptations.

So next time your child asks for a Sprite and a bag of cool ranch Doritos, politely offer an alternative of water and whole grain crackers and accept whatever yelling may come after.