Sam and I headed out of Houston on Monday morning at 7am in route to Los Angeles.
The first day of driving was long, but so much fun. We ended up getting to Tucson around 9pm and were so happy to get out of the car and sleep!
Tuesday was our final stretch, leaving Tucson at 8am and arriving in LA at 3pm. So hoppy to be home! I slept like a baby last night.

Road trips can be really challenging to eat healthy. From state to state you are surrounded by fast food joints, mini marts, and all-American diners off of the highway. We made it our goal to eat as healthy as possible on this road trip and I have to say it was a success!

In preparation to leaving, we went to the grocery store to buy some Larabars, bananas, apples, and water bottles to have on hand. We  made a few stops for meals along the way and I did my very best to stick with my Rabbit Food guidelines!

Our first stop was at Dunkin’ Donuts in Houston. I am obsessed with coffee, but beyond obsessed with Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. It is so good! When people say “Dunkin’ Donuts has the best coffee!” you better believe it. It’s the best. Hands down. Whenever I visit Sam in TX, we always grab coffee at DD because we don’t have it in CA! I always stock up on K-Cups for my Keurig coffee maker, and this trip was no exception. For some reason, Dunkin’ Donuts only sells their K-Cups in stores, so if you live in CA, good luck! I usually fly home, so I don’t have enough space in my carry-on to bring K-Cups, but because we were driving back, we had tons of room for my purchase of six 24 packs! Yes, you heard that right, and yes there is photographic evidence! DD needs to either A) Change their slogan from “American runs on Dunkin'” to “American run’s on Dunkin, unless you live in CA” or B) Open up a franchise in CA. Did you hear that Dunkin’ Donuts? COME TO CA! So jealous of everyone who has a DD near them.

 I started my day with a nonfat latte, all bran muffin, and a fuji apple. I didn’t have any nuts or other plant based fat options, so I struck out in that category. I’m sure that muffin contained some fat though… after all, it was from a donut shop!

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: fuji apple
Whole Grain: all-bran muffin
Protein: nonfat milk (in the latte)
Plant Based Fat: 0

 The next stop on our trip was for fuel & lunch in a small town before a long stretch of open fields and no civilization. The only food option was either a mini-mart or Dairy Queen. We decided to scope it out and to my surprise, DQ had a salad option. It came with crispy fried chicken on top and even after asking for a salad sans-chicken, they didn’t really understand. I’m probably the first person to ask for a salad without chicken at this location haha. No worries, Sam ate the chicken for me anyway! I didn’t have a whole-grain option to work with so I also struck out in this category, but overall it wasn’t bad for Dairy Queen.

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: iceburg lettuce and tomato
Whole Grain: 0
Protein: cheese
Plant Based Fat: balsamic (olive oil based) dressing

 During an extra long stretch in the middle of New Mexico, I ended up snacking on a Cherry Pie flavored Larabar which falls into the plant based fat (almonds) and produce (cherries & dates) categories.

Right before arriving in Arizona, we stopped to refuel and grab some dinner at Subway. I opted for a 6-inch veggie delight with pepperjack cheese, olives, and red wine vinegar on whole wheat. I couldn’t decide what I wanted to use as my plant based fat (avocado, black olives, or olive oil – with vinegar). I ended up choosing black olives and red wine vinegar as my dressing instead of oil since the olives count as a plant based fat. It was yummy!

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: lettuce, spinach, tomato, onions, bell peppers, pepperoncinis
Whole Grain: whole-wheat bread
Protein: pepper jack cheese
Plant Based Fat: black olives

Sam even ate some RFFMBT approved snacks along the way including his first Larabr. He chose Apple Pie. The Verdict? He said nothing compares to his Granny’s Apple Pie recipe, but it was pretty good!

 After 2 days and 24 hours of driving, we are happy to be in CA!
It may seem tricky to eat healthy while driving across the country, but it’s not impossible! With the right knowledge and guidelines, it can be done!

Now time to rest up before we go to Body By Design OC Bootcamp with Kandace!
Health & Happiness

11 Comments on Road Trippin’ Rabbit Food Style

  1. Courtney T
    May 23, 2012 at 6:35 pm (12 years ago)

    We have a DD here in Lawrence, KS, and it.. is… AMAZING.. They for sure helped me through finals. I know you can get DD at costco here in KS, so you might want to check to see if you can get them (IN BULK) at costco there. OR I hope you get a DD there. They are for sure needed EVERYWHERE..

    Reply
    • Catherine
      May 23, 2012 at 9:04 pm (12 years ago)

      Omg Courtney I am so jealous! I am going to start searching every Costco in Souther California for DD K-Cups! DD should replace Starbucks locations haha

      Reply
  2. Stephanie
    May 23, 2012 at 8:57 pm (12 years ago)

    We have a dunkin donuts on base- camp pendleton- which means you need to come down and visit me!

    Reply
    • Catherine
      May 23, 2012 at 9:05 pm (12 years ago)

      WHAT, SINCE WHEN?! I’m coming to visit you with a 1lb bag of Maple Quinoa Cereal and we’re getting coffee!

      Reply
  3. stephanie caruso
    May 29, 2012 at 7:53 am (12 years ago)

    I had no idea there were no DD in CA! thats crazy! the other day i passed 2 within 5 blocks of eachother because i wanted to find one on the right side of the street so i didnt have to cross traffic on my way out! lol. there is a DD on every corner in Chicago.

    Reply
    • Catherine
      May 29, 2012 at 10:09 am (12 years ago)

      Luck girl, Stephanie! I just found out that a DD opened in San Diego, but that is the only one!

      Reply
  4. Joelle
    May 30, 2012 at 11:42 am (12 years ago)

    I loved this post because I have a hard time figuring out how to eat healthy on the go. Awesome examples!

    Reply
    • Catherine
      May 30, 2012 at 2:10 pm (12 years ago)

      Thank you Joelle! I’m glad this helped, road trips can be tricky!

      Reply
  5. Angela @ Nine More Months
    June 24, 2012 at 5:27 pm (12 years ago)

    A couple of weeks ago my husband and I drove from Orange County to Austin and back for a long weekend. I noticed A LOT of Dairy Queens! We don’t eat fast food, so I did pack some fruit and snacks and LOTS of water for the trip. We did okay food wise, I think.

    Reply
    • Catherine
      June 24, 2012 at 8:49 pm (12 years ago)

      Sounds like you did almost the exact saw drive as us! Glad you packed some healthy snacks 🙂 xo

      Reply
  6. Deanna
    July 10, 2013 at 4:14 pm (11 years ago)

    I only just came across this post.
    Muffins are loaded with sugar, oil and fat and usually are worse for you than a cupcake. “Bran” or not, they are usually best avoided.
    Subway bread… isn’t even actual bread. There’s numerous articles out there about it. A foot-long loaf of just the bread contains more than 14 pieces of bacon worth of sodium. And it’s only brown because they add artificial caramel coloring, which has been linked to some pretty nasty health defects over the long term. If they didn’t do that it would be completely white. I shudder to think of what’s really in the cheese.
    Road trips are always hard when you’re eating well but I’ve found it’s much healthier/easier to just find a grocery store and buy whole foods to eat: raw veggies, fruits, nuts, etc. And always organic if at all possible. What’s the real benefit of eating a salad if it’s been grown being sprayed down with toxic chemicals?
    Love your site 🙂

    Reply

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