The 10 Easiest Foods To Eat In The Car

Image via Complex Original

Eating in the car is a sticky subject. If you love your ride, you don't want to get it messy. And with the dawning of 2012, we bet you've made some New Year's resolutions about getting a little healthier. Luckily, several healthy foods are also incredibly car-friendly. One thing before you start: get yourself one of those protein shaker bottles. They're airtight, and they have a big opening at the top, since protein drinks are usually thick. That makes them ideal for holding small, crunchy things like cereal, then pouring them into your mouth a little at a time while driving. Also, they usually fit your cup holders nicely. See? No sticky fingers, no mess, and snacking satisfaction.

10. Big John's Beef Jerky

Good For: A flavorful protein boost
Complex Says: If you're gonna eat beef jerky, why not go for the good stuff? They're available in original, flamin' hot, teriyaki and bar-b-que flavors, as well as low-sodium versions for the health-conscious. These don't leave much residue on your fingers, unless you let the jerky get warm and squishy sitting on a sunny dashboard. Grab a pack of moist towellettes and keep them in the car for when you get sticky fingers, and you can munch your jerky with no worries.

9. Trader Joe's Nuts

Good For: Anyone who likes nuts
Complex Says: Nuts are packed with protein and very tasty. You can eat them roasted and salted, or raw and unsalted. There's a nut to satisfy nut-lovers everywhere. We like Trader Joe's nuts because they offer exceptional quality and value for the money--as well as choice and variety, like the thai chili lime cashews in the photo. Plain nuts are the easiest to eat without making a mess in the car. A protein shaker cup works well for these, too. Just be careful to eat only a few at a time if you're eating them this way, so you don't run the risk of accidentally choking.

8. Lifeway Kefir

Good For: Yogurt lovers
Complex Says: Kefir is similar to yogurt, but it's drinkable. It's also probiotic and almost completely lactose-free, so if you have lactose intolerance, it's a great alternative. Like yogurt, it comes in different fruit flavors and has a slight tanginess to it. It's creamy, delicious, filling, and good for you. Be sure to pack it in a cooler with some ice if you're going on a long trip. Unlike other things on this list, it needs refrigeration if you won't be drinking it right away.

7. Your favorite dry cereal

Good For: Crunchy snack-lovers
Complex Says: If you love dry cereals like Honey Nut Cheerios or Rice Krispies, they're ideal as car snacks that won't leave your hands messy. If you use your hands to put the cereal in your mouth, stick to non-sticky cereals like those. However, if you really love sticky cereals like Corn Pops, use a protein shaker bottle.

6. Sargento String Cheese

Good For: A quick dairy fix on the road
Complex Says: It tastes good, is good for you (unless you eat too much, are on a restricted diet or are lactose-intolerant), and it comes in little sleeves to keep your hands clean while you drive. Sargento String Cheese is made for in-car snacking.

5. Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bars

Good For: Health-conscious snacking
Complex Says: Granola bars that aren't full of sugar and are loaded with good stuff are a great way to snack. We like the Kashi TLC chewy kind most of all, because they don't crumble into a big mess all over your steering wheel and car. Try the cherry dark chocolate ones, or the pumpkin maple. Reach for one of these instead of a candy bar to keep your fitness goals on track. We know we will when whole grains taste this good.

4. Nuts Online Unsweetened Dried Banana Chips

Good For: Car-friendly fruit snacking
Complex Says: We all know fruit is a tasty and healthy way to fill up, but most fruit is too messy to eat in the car. Yeah, you could buy dried fruit, but dried apricots, cherries, cranberries and similar fruits are sticky--another car no-no. Enter these unsweetened dried banana chips from Nuts Online. Bananas are naturally very sweet, so you really don't need the extra sugar coating of some other brands. They're also packed with vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium. For lower-fat alternatives, try Nuts Online's Freeze Dried Bananas or Simply Bananas.

3. Grapes

Good For: A snack and a drink in one
Complex Says: Grapes are a fantastic multitasking food. They contain a lot of water, so you get a nice thirst quencher while you're snacking. They're also self-contained, so they're not likely to get all over the car--although your hands might get a little wet, since they do tend to be moist. If you're travelling with your honey, you can chalk up bonus romance points with each other by feeding each other grapes while you take turns driving. Yes, that's right: food, drink, AND tool for romance. Few other foods can match that record.

2. Archer Farms Trail Mix

Good For: When you don't know what you want
Complex Says: If you don't want to lock yourself into just one taste or texture while snacking, trail mix is an awesome option. Target's house brand, Archer Farms, offers a huge variety at really good prices. Choose from super-healthy packets including nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, to sweeter ones that have M&Ms and chocolate chips in them. It's an easy way to get a variety of flavors in just one handy snack.

1. Jamba Juice Smoothies

Good For: Health-conscious snacking with no need to chew
Complex Says: When you're on the go, you don't always have time to eat. But you still get hungry. You know you feel good when you eat well, so a nice fruit smoothie is a great way to get the nutrition you need without wasting time. Jamba Juice uses real fruit and doesn't load its smoothies with sugar, so you get a lot of good nutrition. A power-size smoothie will leave you feeling so full, it can almost act like a meal replacement. If you're concerned about calories, original size smoothies average around 400 apiece (with a few exceptions), while the power-sized ranges between 400 and 600. If you feel like a creamy treat without the guilt, we recommend the matcha green tea blast and chocolate moo'd varieties.