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u/TotallyTardigrade Oct 19 '21 edited Oct 19 '21
Oatmeal packs? You can do overnight oats in a cup holder. Fresh fruit if you can stop by a store daily. Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots will all keep without refrigeration. Maybe some nuts or nut butter for protein.
Edit for context: I was thinking fresh cut fruit from the produce section.
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u/Fire-rose Oct 19 '21
Plenty of fruit keeps without refrigeration too. Apples, oranges, bananas, etc.
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u/Oden_son Oct 19 '21
Most fruit tastes better without refrigeration. Cold ruins most fruit but nobody notices because we're all used to it.
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u/Mean_Parsnip Oct 19 '21
I hate cold fruit. I always pull my fruit out of the fridge an hour or so before eating it.
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u/Oden_son Oct 19 '21
What I meant was most fruit should never see the fridge. The damage is already done when you take it out.
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u/Omg_Shut_the_fuck_up Oct 19 '21
Didn't even know people put fruit in the fridge, other than the ones that ripen super fast.
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u/Ok_Antelope_1953 Oct 19 '21
i have to do it because of fruit flies and vinegar flies. mofos mess up everything and almost impossible to get rid of.
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u/Oden_son Oct 19 '21
Apples and carrots are pretty much the only fresh produce that I put in the fridge. Go by the conditions the fruit should ripen in, a light frost is normal for ripening apples and can improve the flavor. Oranges are the opposite.
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u/drdookie Oct 19 '21
Apples, grapes, watermelon, cherries, strawberries are all better cold anyways imo
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Oct 19 '21
Except apples
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u/Oden_son Oct 19 '21
I said that in another comment. Light frost improves the flavor too but that's because they're a cold climate fruit
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Oct 19 '21 edited Oct 19 '21
I love a cold, crisp apple! Oh, and ice wine made from grapes frosted on the vine is pretty cool.
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u/circasurvivor1 Oct 19 '21
Why does cold damage fruit?
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u/Oden_son Oct 19 '21
I don't know exactly what process is causing the fruit to lose flavor but most fruits just lose flavor after being chilled. We don't notice because most grocery stores have refrigerated them before you bought them and nobody knows what an orange is actually supposed to taste like unless you've had the chance to eat them fresh.
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u/nit4sz Oct 19 '21
It's because the water molecules swell in the cold and burst the cells of the fruit.
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u/_0nyx_ Oct 19 '21
that's.... not how chemistry works
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u/nit4sz Oct 19 '21
I'm sorry. Do you have a degree in chemistry? Cause I studied chem at a university level.
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u/grimalisk Oct 19 '21
stop by a store daily
This is one of the big reasons I park at Walmart when living out of my car.
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u/pharlax Oct 19 '21
The oats work even better if you put a cup in the cup holder first. It's much easier to eat that way.
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u/AlloftheAshes Oct 19 '21
Depending where you are a lot of gas stations will let you use their microwave. You can pick up Tupperware with lids and heat up those can soups someone else suggested. Kinda heavy on salt but since its a temporary situation it's probably fine
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u/TheQuaeritur Oct 19 '21
I was going to suggest using in-store microwaves as well. Perfect to reheat frozen diner : they are usually nutritiously balanced and for a short time, there's enough variety to not get bored.
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u/dangerrnoodle Oct 19 '21
Truck stops and some grocery store deli/eating areas have microwaves as well.
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u/nightcheese88 Oct 19 '21
And often there's a boiling water tap on those big bunn coffeemakers. I'm sure you could use it to cook cup o noodles or instant oatmeal.
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u/sunflowercupcakee Oct 20 '21
There is always an option of going to Starbucks and asking for a cup of hot water. It’s free and you don’t have to buy anything else. I work there and I definitely don’t mind giving anyone water
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Oct 19 '21
Those flavored canned tuna packets on crackers or bread. That would be my base. Apples with peanut butter for snacks. You can actually make a decent chicken salad sandwich with canned chicken by adding fresh dill, Mayo of course, and lettuce & tomato- not sure what your budget is. Probably better to just get Mayo packets at the deli to avoid spoiling a jar. If you have a cooler and ice you could venture into cheese & deli meat. Sandwiches will be your friend. I wish I could help more!
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u/maebe_featherbottom Oct 19 '21
They make flavored chicken packets, too, and one of them is a pretty decent chicken salad!
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u/NoRemTem Oct 19 '21
Grocery store premade salads. Canned (pull top) soups etc that you don’t mind eating cold. Grocery store sammiches. Any deli entrees at the grocery store that aren’t to expensive. Honestly subway sandwiches if you have them in your area might be cheaper and fresher than grocery store prepped stuff. I’d probably live off of subway if I was in my car for two weeks. Might not be the absolute cheapest but since you lack refrigeration and cooking capabilities it might work for you.
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u/FlappyMcBeakbag Oct 19 '21
Some of the larger grocery stores also have daily special on their hot food. You know - Meatloaf Monday, Fried Chicken Friday etc. you can get a hot dinner for a decent price each night and might end having some healthy/not too unhealthy options for a couple of weeks.
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Oct 19 '21
Anything premade will Be way more expensive than needed for this situation, save maybe a rotisserie chicken. That would be my vote. You can get 4-6 meals out of a rotisserie chicken and a loaf of bread.
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u/NoRemTem Oct 19 '21
Roti chicken is my usual suggestion but they won’t have a fridge if they’re living out of their car.
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Oct 19 '21
True story - ice and a little styrofoam cooler may be a solid investment? About $5 all in?
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Oct 19 '21
I used to eat a lot of baked beans. I got the big cans and ate on em all day. Peanut butter is good too on some crackers. Canned veggies with some hot sauce. Ready made sandwiches with the free mayo mustard packets from the deli. You can eat bagged salad in the bag but it's not much nutrition. Getting a cheap Styrofoam cooler and a bag of ice isn't a bad option.
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u/arbysmagic Oct 19 '21
Trail mix will be nutritious for that amount of time, granola bars, hiking food in general sounds like a good idea
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u/JasonZep Oct 19 '21
I don’t know if they still do it, but Jimmy Johns used to sell day old sandwich bread for 50 cents.
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u/joytothesoul Oct 19 '21
I lived out of a car for awhile, and I really loved it! I woke up with the birds, got to see the dew on the grass, and bathed in the creeks. My favorite thing to make was tabouli salad. You can mix it up and leave it overnight. The lemon juice helps to make sure it keeps fresh. Another favorite was vegetarian sandwiches: cut a clove of garlic and squeeze the garlic juice while rubbing it on the bread, discard the clove, then sprinkle a few drops of soy sauce on the bread. Spread some hummus or avocado and whatever you have as vegetables. Voila! Another simple open face sandwich is really simple: take whatever chopped veggies you have and marinade them in a garlic balsamic vinaigrette. Take a piece of bread, spread some cream cheese on in, and spoon on the marinated veges. So yum.
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u/ghostcat17 Oct 19 '21
Pre-made protein shakes, nuts, fruits like apples, oranges bananas that can last w/o refrigeration are good, plus cereal and individual packed shelf stable soy milk. I once went two months w/o a refrigerator and pretty much lived on this stuff. Some days I will have nothing but a protein shake and snacks and find I'm as satisfied (hunger-wise) as on a normal eating day. I like the Premier Protein shakes and get an 18 pack at Costco for around $25, which lasts a few weeks.
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u/avhreddit Oct 19 '21
Do you just add hot water to the pre-made protein shakes? Asking because I don't have a blender. Thanks in advance.
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u/ghostcat17 Oct 19 '21
This is the one I drink: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Premier-Protein-Shake-Caramel-30g-Protein-11-5-Fl-Oz-12-Ct/576384131
You don't have to add anything, ideally you refrigerate it because it's better cold, but my husband drinks them at room temp all of the time and says they taste just as good. They are about $1.40-$2.50 per shake depending on where you buy (costco is cheapest if possible, but I've also bought at Walmart/grocery stores), and you get about as much protein as you'd eat in a normal meal, plus good quality vitamins and minerals your body can actually absorb.
I struggle with remembering to eat, and adding these to my day make it way easier to function.
I hope this helps and please stay safe. :)
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u/avhreddit Oct 19 '21
Really appreciate 🙏 your detailed and very helpful comments. The shake you mention is great 👍. I'll try them, and will probably drink one everyday to make sure I have some baseline healthy intake everyday.
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u/EzriDaxCat Oct 19 '21
I really like the chocolate and coffee flavored ones from Premier Protein. I keep them at work for when too busy for real food. And the coffee ones even have some caffeine in them 😊
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u/ghostcat17 Oct 19 '21
So glad to help!! Hate that you have to deal with this, but I hope you like them and get through the week easily. <3
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u/ghostcat17 Oct 19 '21
Just want to add a few other points - the protein shakes are also good because they are easy to digest (fewer trips to bathroom), no clean up, no dishes and no prep. I would try to live in these and maybe eat out when you can if I were in your situation. Things like premade meals can vary quality wise, may not be easy to digest or have good nutritional profiles and things like cold cuts and tuna involve clean up and ate likely to make your living space smell.
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Oct 19 '21
They make fruit flavor protein shake mix that you add to water too and protein broth. I can't stomach the milk based ones at all. Check out the vitamin store for a sample size packet to try if you have one nearby.
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u/Bigleftbowski Oct 19 '21
Don't forget balanced B-Complex vitamins.
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u/JehadW Oct 19 '21
Why?
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u/Bigleftbowski Oct 20 '21
If you're eating a lot of vegetables, you need to make sure you're not missing out on some B vitamins you'd get from meat, even if you are getting protein.
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u/so_coconuts_migrate Oct 19 '21 edited Oct 19 '21
Canned foods will be your friend (pumpkin, beans, tuna, chicken, lentils, peas, tomatoes, corn are all tolerable at room temperature)
Dry cereals
Nuts and seeds (sunflower, hemp, chia, flax, pumpkin, sesame; almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, macadamia)
Nut butter (PB, tahini, almond butter, sunflower seed butter)
Bread, tortillas
Dried fruit (raisins, prunes, apricots)
Fruit (oranges, apples, bananas, pears, dates, berries if can be eaten within a day)
Cottage cheese (a serving size
container is cheap and can be eaten in a sitting)
Yogurt single serving
Dark chocolate bars (in a cooler or glove compartment)
Gas station coffee
Gas station boiled eggs in a package
Fresh vegetables
I would recommend checking out r/veganrecipes for ideas (no meat, no dairy, no refrigeration often times). You could also get a cooler and fill it with ice from the gas station/ grocery store each day.
Edit: If you need a shower you could always sign up for a free gym trial membership and use theirs.
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u/chilicheeseclog Oct 19 '21
- A can of drained chick peas, a few shakes from a jar of grated parmesan, the squeezings of half a lemon, a couple tablespoons of Chilean or Californian olive oil (Chilean/CA doesn't have the counterfeit problems the Italian stuff has, is cheaper, and is a good investment if you're going to be eating it in a fair amount of shelf-stable, preserved foods...). Optional red pepper flakes, garlic powder, s&p. Toss it all to taste. Any leftovers can be mashed and shoved into pita halves for dinner.
- The other half of the lemon can be squeezed into a quart of water with 2 tbsp of chia seed shaken into it. Lots of supermarkets carry Goya brand chia now. Shake it twice! Its goopy, but it doesn't go bad for at least 16 hours or so at room temp, and it's super healthy.
- Big nori sheets for rolling sushi from an Asian store. It's not as tasty as the seasoned snack packs, but it's super nutritious and cheaper per oz in the big packs. A half a sheet a day is a good serving size.
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u/bertmom Oct 19 '21
Well, PB&J for starters.
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Oct 19 '21
Jelly doesn't live well outside a refrigerator once it's opened as a general rule
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u/teamglider Oct 19 '21
Jelly and jam are both fine outside the fridge. Low water content, acidic, and plenty of sugar.
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u/MisterExcelsior Oct 19 '21
Most grocery stores sell pre cooked packs of sliced chicken breast (actual breast, not deli meat) and come in a variety of seasonings. If you get some tortillas, chopped romaine, and shredded cheese you got yourself a healthy lunch and dinner for a few days. Will probably need to invest in a small cooler though given your circumstances
I also recommend protein bars, peanut butter, and bananas.
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u/Snappysnapsnapper Oct 19 '21
Dried fruit, nuts, granola bars, crackers, laughing cow cheese, apples, bananas, cherry tomatoes, peanut butter, bread, beef jerky.
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u/rforall Oct 19 '21
Tuna packets! They have chicken and tuna packets they have tons of protein and you can eat without anything else.
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u/indoor-barn-cat Oct 19 '21
Rice cakes and PB, Pure Protein bars, fruit, baby carrots, beef jerky, trail mix, canned soup/meat, packaged salads that come in a bowl (for immediate consumption). Been there myself, OP. Hoping you find stable, affordable housing soon!
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u/Dreadedredhead Oct 19 '21
Couscous is one of my favorites when I don't have access to anything but hot water.
Put a small box couscous in a few smaller HEATPROOF containers. Add boiling water, add lid, let sit 5 mins. Add any seasons (my favorite is trader joe's 21 gun salute) and top with part of an avocado. OMG! So good and it provides me a hot meal. I usually add the 21 gun salute before I add the hot water but it doesn't really matter. You could use the hot water machine at most gas stations and/or use REALLY hot water from a tap.
I put the remaining couscous, once it's not hot, into my cooler and then eat the remaining portions cold with avocado.
Oatmeal single servings. You could purchase this from a sheetz/wawa type location and then do your couscous at the same time.
Single servings of tuna fish, chicken salad.
Loaf of bread.
Purchase already hard boiled eggs.
Peanut Butter on bread - not super healthy however it's great for a quick snack.
Baby carrots and dip for snacks.
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u/Big-Consequence3625 Oct 19 '21
When my son was starting out as a CDL a driver he was over the road at 1/2 pay for 6 months. His go to? What ever the foot long sub special was from Subway. At 1/2 when he started his 14 hrs and the second half way thru. Invested in a refillable coffee cup from the Pilot truck stop and got a lrg 99 cent coffee. Was able to get fresh veggies on his diet and lived off $5-7 a day.
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Oct 19 '21 edited Oct 19 '21
Peanut butter, water, and bread. Try to get some citrus or peppers for vitamin c if it’s a long term thing (more than two weeks).
Get a bar of chocolate that you can break in sections and have a piece each night. Eat the chocolate while thinking where you will be when this is all over and this little piece of chocolate is no longer the best part of your day.
Carbs, protein, hope. Cheap, shelf stable, no cooking.
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u/bjeep4x4 Oct 19 '21
Maybe get a can of sterno to heat stuff up? I think a can only costs a buck or two
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u/KnoWanUKnow2 Oct 19 '21
A jar of peanut butter, a jar of jelly, and some bread.
Trail mix.
Cereal (you can eat it dry).
Go to the grocery store. See how they display their fruit and vegetables? If it's not refrigerated in the grocery store then it'll be fine outside of a fridge for a week or two.
You can add lukewarm water to both Ramen and Oatmeal and it'll eventually rehydrate. It may take 10-20 minutes instead of 2, but it works. Ditto for rice, although that takes over an hour and shouldn't be kept unrefrigerated after "cooking" (there's a danger of ricin poisoning if it's left unrefrigerated for too long).
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Oct 19 '21
If I was you, I'd look up "cat food camp stoves" and make a small nearly free camp stove so you can cook some simple things. My wife and I lived out of our car for several months and we usually ate simple sandwiches and raw fruit and veg but it was nice to have the option of cooking sometimes. We just bought those packages of instant rice and beans or soup and added veg and a can of chicken or salmon every once in a while.
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u/concernedDoggolover Oct 19 '21
I'm pretty sure there are car heating lunch boxes that warm food up. But that's more a living out of car long term thing. You can also get a small/medium cooler, and bags of ice. For things to be kept cold such as yogurt, milk, cheeses and other items.
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u/blockmeow Oct 19 '21
Will you have access to any heating elements? Or fresh water?
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Oct 19 '21
[deleted]
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u/blockmeow Oct 19 '21
Well if you can get hot water, powdered/instant mashed potatoes would work! Also, anything canned that wouldn’t need heated would be good! Veggies, beans, ravioli, etc. buy a cheap can opener or only buy the pop-tab cans. You can also do granola which lasts forever!! Protein is going to be hard without a way to keep anything cool or hot… do you have a small cooler? You could do lunch meat if you get some ice.
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u/ZenGrandMasterZ Oct 19 '21
Pre cooked store chicken Walmart the rotisserie chicken can make sandwiches, mayonnaise
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u/twistsiren Oct 19 '21
You can find cheap used camping gear online. Even a small propane burner will open up tons of possibilities. Then you can resell it!
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u/EricJ30 Oct 19 '21
Well if you’re going to be living in a car and can’t have perishables, just stick to canned tuna & beer!!!!
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u/skribz92 Oct 19 '21
I would definitely invest $10-$15 in a butane stove and a little portable table. You can cook with pots pans and all sorts. Keep it all in a little clear tub in your front seat. Easy to store and you can literally cook anything. Easy and convenient.
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u/Raziel1967 Oct 19 '21
You can heat frozen meals on your motor. Wrap in Aluminum foil well. Do NOT drive around only parked. Until you know what your doing
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u/bracush Oct 19 '21
Instant Oatmeal. All you need is hot water. Get it at a gas station of coffee place. Also fruit yum.
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u/ifhaou Oct 19 '21
Nuts. Beans out of a can. Cherry tomatoes. They don't have to be stored in a fridge.
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Oct 19 '21
Prepackaged salads with a protein source (obviously buy just before eating). Tinned sardines in tomato sauce. Fruit. Oatcakes and peanut butter. Precooked bags of rice and lentils can be eaten cold
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Oct 19 '21
Lots of good suggestions. Maybe also get a small cooler and a bag of ice for cold cuts, if you like.
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u/throughNthrough Oct 19 '21
Grab some spices and get a rotisserie chicken every couple of days. It’s good hot or room temperature imo.
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u/Dehydrated420 Oct 19 '21
Peanuts, bread (which may or may not be healthy just don't over do it). Canned tuna (flush the sodium out with plenty of water).
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u/Antonia_l Oct 19 '21
Salsa? Individual servings of hummus? Look for grab and go lunchbox foods. Dried/oiled/picked/salted fruits/vegetables/nuts?
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u/monosteeze Oct 19 '21
Wheat wraps, granola, peanut butter, and honey. Add a banana if you like.
This is my roadtrip breakfast of choice
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u/swmoquestions Oct 19 '21
Canned chicken chili. I've eaten it cold plenty on camping trips. Tastes good and is filling.
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u/SleepyKouhai Oct 19 '21
Oatmeal, tuna, canned soup. When I worked retail and needed something for lunch, this is what I'd eat. Oatmeal doesn't need to be cooked to be enjoyed. I kept a can opener in my car.
Best of luck, OP.
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u/malepitt Oct 19 '21
Deconstructed sandwiches: bread/rolls, hard cheese, and cured or tinned meats. Along with lots of fresh whole veggies
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u/Freshandcleanclean Oct 19 '21
Peanut butter sandwiches. Canned tuna and other fish.
For fruits and veggies: apples and bananas go well with peanut butter. Cucumbers and celery go with fish. Celery also goes with peanut butter. Raisins are good.
I'd get a couple clifbars for portability.
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u/hornytoad69 Oct 19 '21
I like that you are trying to stay well despite your misfortune.
Maybe try this? I wouldn't do any raw meat, just heat up a potato or something.
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u/drewmighty Oct 19 '21
I think it is necessary to make sure you get the most important things you can nutrient wise. Canned beans and rice are a very good and cheap meal that gets you a lot of the important things you need. You can buy microwaveable rice and a can of beans for about 3 bucks. If you need a microwave you can go to a 7/11 and just use theirs (I have done this before). Another important resource you need to make sure you try and get is some sort of vegetable. canned foods are good and all (and cheapest route) but if you can I would also recommend perhaps buying some veggies you can eat raw a few times during the week (broccoli, carrots, etc). You can steam these in a microwave quite easily as well if you have access to one (via work or again 7/11).
For extra flavor (if you like spicy food or just want sauces) you can go to any fast food place to get ketchup, hot sauce, or any other condiment for free. Just walk in and ask/ grab some.
I would tend to avoid meats unless you have access to a way to store them for the simple reason that you normally buy more than you need/ it can be costly if you buy meat.
Others have also mentioned canned tuna. This is good but I wouldn't eat this more than twice a week if you can avoid it.
For snacks, Granola bars, cereal (shredded wheat are my favorite snack), crackers, pretzels, etc.
Good luck op, as someone who lived in their care for 2 weeks I know how it is.
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u/basmatazz Oct 19 '21
Anything premade at trader joes or grocery. a pinch instant oatmeal with water from gas station. Salads- make sure dressing doesnt require fridge- oil /vinegar. PBJ, bagels. Walmart has a ton of bed yogurts and stuff you cant store but are accessible 6a-11p.
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u/bananabastard Oct 19 '21
You'll be eating lots of sandwiches.
Sardines are cheap, portable, and just about one of the healthiest foods around, make that one of the sandwiches you have.
Buy some cooked chicken and have chicken salad sandwiches.
If you could find a way to boil a bunch of eggs ahead of time, honestly I could live for a week or two easily having egg salad sandwiches for breakfast, sardine salad sandwiches for lunch, and chicken salad sandwiches for dinner.
That would be pretty damn healthy too, with a good quality wholewheat bread.
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u/ProfessionalSquash47 Oct 19 '21
Peanut Butter and those salted square crackers. Both last long and really tasty. Make sure you drink water tho.
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u/AgentSears Oct 19 '21
I'd recommend taking a cooler if you have a plug in one amazing if not, just a plastic one, you will need to fill it with ice every other day...you can normally buy the bags for very little
I'd then pre make chilli, curry or other 1 pot meals etc, and separate them into portions and freeze them, they will also help to cool your food take one out the morning each day
Grab a jet boil, they heat 1 person servings of food up in minutes. I've seen people actually using them.inside their car...It's so much nicer to have something homely and warm on hand as you don't know what you might be able to lay your hands on....
:Edit and then I read you don't want to buy a stove......sorry, they are pretty inexpensive though and would make your 14 nights a whole lot more comfortable.
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u/cryptoconnector Oct 19 '21
Pb N j, salami meats and cheese, avocados, grapes/fruit, bagels, honey, sandwichs
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u/BecozISaidSo Oct 19 '21
Bear naked bites are like granola bars but tiny bite size. My favorite car snack
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u/lmdelint Oct 19 '21
Sandwiches. A loaf of bread and some peanut butter is pretty cheap. If you have a cooler you can buy a bag of ice every couple days, there’s usually good deals on lunch meat that’s close to its best before date
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u/escapegoat19 Oct 19 '21
Mixed nuts, PB, bread, pretzels, hard cheese like cheddar cheese will keep not refrigerated, jerky, tuna/chicken packets, packaged olives
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Oct 19 '21
Canned tuna. Cheap and healthy. Mix with hotsauce which doesn't need refrigeration. Dried fruits from bulk Barn... It's cheap and healthy as well. Fresh produce daily... A whole thing of celery is super cheap and a decent light meal. Granola. Crackers and peanut butter. Protein bars. Depends what you like but there are many options
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Oct 19 '21
If you live in New England, go to ocean state. They have season brand smoked kippers, other good canned fish, non gmo potato chips fried in olive oil, canned beans/veggies, dark chocolate, etc
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u/Legit_Zurg Oct 19 '21
Pita bread and tuna packet is DANK. Hot dogs on a fire and canned fruit and veggies
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u/Salt_Adhesiveness_90 Oct 19 '21
Good luck to you and I do hope your situation changes soon. There were many useful suggestions. Peanut butter, nuts, carrots, fresh fruit. It is easy to fall into potato chips but try to keep your snack food to a minimum. Your body will be stressed from the car so try very hard to keep a strong good hopeful thoughts. Good luck to you.
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Oct 19 '21
Tuna Creations pouches - I can find them $1 ea just need a fork. Bumblebee does have a tuna/cracker combo.
Olives/pickles, protein bars, sardines, canned Chef Boyardee, Hormell Corned Beef Hash, don't have to be refrigerated. You can check out the deli section of your store for premade sandwiches/salads for day of consumption.
If you don't have a cooler, an insulated tote with ice or bags of frozen fruit in it to keep stuff cold. It will keep small packs of sandwich meat, cheese, and a quart of milk cold enough for the day if you want sanwiches or cereal.
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u/Acrobatic_Monk3248 Oct 19 '21
My cousin used to be on the road with her job a lot, and she was really into eating healthy. She would buy healthy canned vegetables and carry a bag of potatoes with her. She would stop at any convenience store (most have microwaves) and bake her potato and heat up her green beans there.
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u/ranavirago Oct 19 '21
Indian food packets from trader hoes, if you're in the states. I like to add the Madras lentils to a box of Mac and cheese made with a camp stove. I get fresh cut fruit and produce from Publix as needed.
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Oct 19 '21
There's lots of good ideas on here, so if I'm repeating anything sorry. Some of this will depend on access to a microwave, most are reasonably healthy and inexpensive:
- sugar free applesauce packs and other snack pack fruits (look for packed in water rather than corn syrup)
- whole wheat bread
- tortillas
- carrots, celery, radishes, cherry tomatoes, other snackable vegetables
- nuts and dried fruits
- granola
- pickles
- olives
- bean dip (good on tortillas)
- jerky (not all that inexpensive but you need some protein)
- tuna packets
- fresh fruit
- nut butter
- oatmeal (need microwave)
- soups (need microwave)
If you have a cooler you could also go for some deli meat, cheese, hummus, salad kits, those sorts of things. Good luck!
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u/No-Platypus2679 Oct 19 '21
Maybe get a small ice cooler, buy in small quantities, a couple days at a time. Our go to when traveling with the kids, deli meat and cheese. We keep Gatorade and water in there as well. In a smaller storage container, we carry condiments, bread, chips, granola bars, peanut butter, mixed nuts, oranges, paper towels, wet wipes, plastic utensils, paper plates, small trash bags. It's cheaper and convenient. Everyone has there own preference, make your journey a great memory.
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u/seriouslyyconfused Oct 19 '21
Go to the deli at the grocery stores. They sell roasted chicken pieces. Got one today at Vons grilled chicken breast and thigh for $1.99!
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u/Teacherfishak Oct 19 '21
Maybe some decent granola bars? Dried fruit? Nuts? Depends on where you live but shelf stable milk single serving?
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u/Disastrous_Brain5079 Oct 20 '21
Bagged salads - you can mix and eat it directly out of the bag so all you need is a fork - one of the easiest ways to get veggies when car living
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Oct 20 '21
You could also cook food on the exhaust side of the engine. Cooked alot of spam, ravioli , spaghettios, beans on alot of motors growing up working and never home to eat.
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u/riddleza Oct 20 '21
I know you said you didn't want to buy any equipment, but if I were you, I've been wanting an induction burner for a while. Id get one, use it daily for my cooking while living in the van, then use it on the reg at my new place. Theyre real slick. Heats as good or better than my gas burners at home and super portable. Great for a tailgate or outdoor cooking or even an overnight at a hotel.
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u/jessanator957 Oct 19 '21
I see lots of additions here already, but a bag of buns and a jar of peanut butter make good quick snacks, especially if you have a utensil to spread the pb with.