Slice Dollars Off Your Family Road

Slice Dollars Off Your Family Road-Trip By Going Healthy

7 January 2008

Families planning a long car-journey this summer can save dollars from their holiday budget with a bit of forward planning, says the Feeding our Futures programme.

"Stopping for drinks, ice-blocks and lollies can pile on the dollars of the daily food budget, especially for larger or extended families," says Michelle Mako of Feeding our Futures. "If you take time to add up all the separate costs, you can easily spend as much on snacks as you would on making a meal!"

Common purchases such as cold drinks, lollies or snacks can rack up the cost at the service station till. What’s more, the accessible snacks are often the ones high in sugar, salt or fat, which are not the best choices for family eating.

"A few minutes preparation can really pay off in the long run," says Michelle.

"One obvious way families can save money is by refilling waterbottles with tap water and chilling them the night before the trip. Chilly bins or cool bags will be great for keeping snacks chilled and help ensure they last longer.

"You can also spice up home-bottled water by adding a slice of lemon or lime - a delicious, thirst quenching drink.

"Remember, too, that snacks don't have to come in packets. Homemade snacks can be tasty, healthy, and low-cost so they’re good for your health and your wallet."

Cheap and easy alternatives to service station snacks include banana rolls – a whole banana wrapped in a slice of bread. Or try apples or carrot sticks kept in the chilly bin as a cooling alternative to ice-blocks. Home made popcorn can also be a healthy alternative to chippies. Home-made fruit muffins or scroggin can also go down well and keep your kids satisfied until they reach your destination.

Feeding our Futures offers parents tips on getting children to eat more healthily. Visit www.feedingourfutures.org.nz for more info.

END

Top low-cost snacks for travelling

- Re-filled water bottles – chilled or with a slice of lemon
- Bananas – on their own or in a roll of wholemeal bread (monkey roll)
- Apples and carrot sticks kept in the chilly bin
- Bag of dried fruit and nuts (scroggin)
- Home-popped popcorn
- Home made fruit muffins
- Crackers and cheese
- Home-made sandwiches

ENDS

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