Quick answer
What food is best for a long trip?
Compact, dry things that need no cutlery: wraps, tortillas, filled baguettes, nut bars, or cut fruit and veg. Skip sauces and anything that leaks or smells strong in a closed car or train compartment.
Food to go
Food to go has to work with one hand, no plate, and hours in a bag without smelling or leaking. Pack wraps, tortillas, homemade bars, and snacks you can eat behind the wheel, on a train, or on a plane. Pick what holds up from the first stop to the last.
Best recipes
Homemade raspberry & banana fruit leather (no added sugar)
Raspberry chia pudding with yogurt
Homemade almond granola bars
Mascarpone and seasonal fruit dessert
Homemade instant soup
Smoked salmon spread
Wild garlic and goat cheese quiche
Borlotti bean salad with grilled peppers and fennel
Tofu risotto with peas and zucchini
Frequently asked questions
How long does a sandwich keep without a fridge?
With butter, hard cheese, or cured salami, easily half a day. Mayo, eggs, and soft cheeses are a two-hour ride at most — for longer trips, an insulated pouch or a frozen drink standing in as an ice pack does the trick.
What can I bring to eat on a plane?
Dry snacks with no liquids clear security fine: sandwiches, bars, dried fruit, or nuts. Leave anything aromatic or juicy at home so you don't bother your neighbors or spring a leak in your carry-on.
How do I pack a snack so it doesn't get crushed?
Put it in a rigid box or wrap it tightly in paper or foil so it keeps its shape. Pack delicate pastries and soft fruit separately so the rest of the bag doesn't flatten them.