ETA: I AM PACKING EVERYTHING I OWN INTO MY CAR WITH MY 3 ANIMALS. I DON’T HAVE ROOM FOR A COOLER. I AM ALSO JUST TRYING TO EAT TO SURVIVE. I DON’T CARE IF IT’S HEALTHY. xoxo
My problem is I get bored with food after eating it 2-3 times but I can’t think of meals that are either no heat or microwavable in our hotel.
We’ll have access to microwaves and mini fridges but aren’t bringing a cooler.
Comments
Sandwiches, wraps, veggies and hummus/ranch. Fruit, granola bars, cheese and crackers
I would never do this without a cooler personally because I want more fresh food. Look up no bake protein energy balls. I’d personally do meat sticks and jerky. Berries. Sprouted nuts.
Premade salad kits – could add canned beans or other proteins, pbjs, premade pouch meals – can even get spaghetti premade in shelf stable containers
If you have a microwave though, there are so many frozen meals you can use. Even if your fridge doesn’t have a freezer, they will stay frozen and/or safe to eat for like 3 days in the fridge
Snacking fruits- bananas, apples, grapes, melons, oranges
You can also have many of these dried, and add apricots, figs, dates, nuts
Do you have a coffee maker? Then you can add in possibilities of “add hot water meals,” like instant mash potatoes, couscous, etc
Can you bring smaller lunch boxes with cold packs in them?
If you’re going to be travelling 8+ hours without a way to keep food cold you’re going to have to eat shelf stable things that don’t need to be kept cold between overnight stops.
Why no cooler? Or even just an insulated bag. Assuming your mini fridge won’t have a freezer, you could fill up a ziplock bag with ice at the hotel and use it as an ice pack. Being able to keep stuff cold opens up the possibility of salads, carrot sticks with hummus, etc.
Otherwise… I don’t know, peanut butter sandwiches?
Dinty Moore (chili aisle) makes some shelf stable tasty meals. PB&J. Fruit.
A small lunch cooler and ice packs could be a big help for small space. If you can fit a purse, you can fit one of these.
Honestly, I’d figure out how to reconfigure everything I packed to bring a real cooler. It’s worth it.
What is the temperature of the weather during your trip? During hot days,it would be challenging to keep fresh foods stay 3 days without cooler,if that’s a case,buy an insulated bag with ice packs to keep foods cool. I would bring: granola bars,cheese and nuts mini packs,instant noodle cups,fruits like apples,clementines,blueberries,bananas,…and bring salad kits. Sandwiches would be ok for the first day.
I love road trips and the best way is going to a camping supply store and getting the dehydrated hiking meals. They come in a bag and all you do is add hot water and they rehydrate. You can get the hot water from the kettle in your hotel or also buy a camping jet boil if you want to stop and eat on the go. There’s a lot of different options and pretty nutritionally complete. Just a little high in sodium since they’re meant for high altitudes and hikes. They’re a little pricy (about the same as getting takeout) so we grab a few and usually share one between us for a meal and supplement with other things like instant noodle cups, beef jerky, canned tuna sandwiches, etc.
Have you considered daily grocery shopping instead of packing g the 3 days at once to save space and get fresher options that won’t spoil?
Keep ingredients and write out meal ideas so you can make them as you feel, and you don’t feel forced to eat pre-made stuff that’ll feel like ‘leftovers’.
Unrelated, but I would also keep a jar of pickles, I find snacking on them helps me with nausea during long car travel
Truck stops will have some good meals as well including meals you can take with you to reheat if you’re worried about space. You’d probably spend less there than at fast food places with the same or even better quality.
Not sure what route you’re taking but Sinclair stops with Pete’s Eats are always good and Mavericks seem to have good freshly made food with their bonfire food. We don’t tend to stop at Loves that much so I can’t speak to that. Bucees food is reasonably priced and good but allot some extra time for wandering.
Do any of the hotels you’re staying at provide breakfast? That would help save some money and space as well.