When you’re on the road, eating healthy can feel like a challenge. After all, it’s easy to fall back on pre-made foods, or simply swing through a fast food restaurant’s drive-in window. Unfortunately, processed foods tend to deliver a lot of fat, salt and sugar.
Luckily, cooking nutritious food in your RV kitchen doesn’t have to be hard. Here are 5 nutritious and easy recipes to help you keep healthy while RVing.
Start the Day Right with a Healthy Breakfast
We get it: When you’re on the go, it feels like second nature to reach for a sugar-packed pastry to go with your morning coffee. But why not start the day with a healthy meal based on whole grains and fruit?
Whole Grain Banana Pancakes (adapted from 100 Days of Real Food)
Ingredients:
- 1 c whole wheat flour
- 1 t baking powder
- 1/2 t baking soda
- 1/4 t salt
- 1/2 t cinnamon (optional)
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 T vegetable oil
- 1 T honey
- 3/4 c low-fat milk
- 1 t vanilla extract (optional)
Steps:
- Using a fork, mix together the banana, egg, honey, oil, milk and vanilla until well-blended.
- In a separate bowl, stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture; don’t overmix.
- Heat a lightly greased griddle over medium heat.
- Pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of batter into the hot pan.
- When cakes start to turn golden brown on the bottom and bubble form on top, flip.
- Cook for about 1 minute longer. Serve warm with maple syrup and fresh berries.
Lunch Time: Wrapped with Nutrition
When you’re in the middle of a busy day exploring, it’s all too easy to reach for a greasy hamburger and fries. However, a balanced mid-day meal provides the right blend of energy and that full feeling.
That’s why we love these versatile wraps! Simply choose whatever veggies and proteins you like, wrap them up in a tortilla, and take them with you.
Start with tortillas made with whole grains. Today’s options run the gamut, from whole wheat to sprouted grains, spinach to sun-dried tomato, coconut to chickpea.
Now comes the fun part: Filling your wrap. Customize with the healthy ingredients you like best, such as hummus, tapenade, low-fat cheese spread, or salsa.
Next, throw in some protein. Lean chicken, beans, tofu, cheese or hard boiled eggs are all healthy options. Finally, layer on the veggies. Great choices include greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, avocados, peppers… the choices are endless.
Finally, wrap your tortilla, pop it in a container, and you’ve got a portable, healthy lunch to go.
Guilt-Free Snacks
For an easy snack that’ll curb your cravings without contributing empty calories, we love these healthy muffins. Packed with fibre, these powerhouse muffins make a wonderful afternoon pick-me-up when you’re on the move.
Morning Glory Muffins (adapted from Health)
Ingredients:
- 1 c whole wheat flour
- 1/2 c AP flour
- 1 c regular (not instant) oats
- 1/2 c brown sugar
- 1 T wheat bran
- 2 t baking soda
- 1/4 t salt
- 1/2 c plain yogurt
- 1/2 c applesauce
- 2 mashed bananas
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 T honey
- 2 c total of chopped dried fruit and nuts of your choice
- 3 T ground flaxseed
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray muffin tins with baking spray or line with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, combine flours, oats, brown sugar, wheat bran, baking soda and salt.
- In another bowl, mix yogurt, applesauce, bananas, egg and honey until blended.
- Add yogurt mix to flour mixture, and stir until no streaks of flour remain.
- Gently fold in fruit and nuts.
- Fill muffin cups 3/4 with batter and sprinkle flaxseed on tops.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until tops spring back.
Doing Dinner Right
At the end of the day, you crave a hearty meal that delivers both nutrition and flavor. One of the easiest ways to get your recommended daily allowance of veggies? Try a stir fry. Bonus: This versatile dish allows you to easily substitute ingredients for what’s on-hand.
On-the-Road Stir Fry (adapted from Gimme Delicious)
Ingredients:
- 2 T olive oil
- 1 t sesame oil
- 2 T low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 chicken breasts, cut in bite-sized pieces (or substitute with your choice of lean protein)
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 2 c broccoli florets
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 c brown rice
- sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and chile garlic sauce to garnish
Steps:
- In a small bowl or sealable bag, combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sesame oil, soy sauce and chicken. Let sit for 10 minutes up to several hours.
- Meanwhile, cook the brown rice in a rice cooker or on the stove top.
- In a wok or large saute pan, heat the remaining olive oil. When shimmering, add the onion and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
- Add garlic, the rest of the vegetables, and chicken. Cook, stirring, for 8 to 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked to a safe temperature.
- Serve over rice with garnishes on the side.
Eating while you’re on the road doesn’t have to be difficult or unhealthy. Of course, it’s fun to indulge, and no adventure would be complete without trying the local eateries. A great solution? Make local farmers’ markets a regular stop on your itinerary to pick up fresh produce in season.
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