5 ways to make nutritious eating prep a breeze this holiday season
It’s that time of the year again – the holiday season. Or rather the ‘how in the world am I going to get everything done?’ season. With all the endless to-do’s, preparing to travel with your little one can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’ve been there and have just the tips you need to approach this year’s holidays with confidence.
Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car, mealtimes are especially important for babies and toddlers. After all, they need their essential nutrients even when they aren’t home.
Here’s how to celebrate this holiday season with nutritious choices: Prepare early!
1. Pack for both on-the-go snacks and destination mealtimes.
On-the-go: Gerber® Lil Crunchies®, Puffs, and Pouches are great (especially for getting through TSA in your carry-on)
Destination bites: natural corn and sweet potato purees, and other household favorite purees for 4+ months, and Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal & Barley Cereal for toddlers
2. Practice eating in new places.
If your baby or toddler is used to eating in one environment, it can be beneficial to try mealtimes in new rooms around the house or new locations.
3. Stick to your mealtime routine as much as possible.
When traveling, our little ones are faced with all sorts of new stimuli they might not be familiar with. Routine becomes all the more important. If their bodies are used to eating at noon, plan to set up lunch at noon or as close to noon as possible when in a safe environment.
4. Have back-ups.
When our little ones are adjusting to new environments, it’s possible they’ll experience changes in appetite. For instance, flying on a plane makes food taste more bland than normal. Best to be ready with a variety of nutritious snacks and mealtime options so that if your baby or toddler suddenly doesn’t want a food they typically love, you won’t be empty-handed, scrambling to find a nutritious substitute. It’s also always a good idea to have back up clothes in case of an accident, wipes for messy hands and face, hand sanitizer, and wipes for wiping down changing table/tray tables.
5. Pay extra attention.
Traveling comes with more than its fair share of distractions, so it’s extra important to keep a close eye on your little ones during mealtime to ensure a safe feeding environment. Infants and toddlers should always be seated and supervised while eating, even on the go.
*quick tip you will thank us for later: It never hurts to pack a small blanket for a cleaner way to eat together picnic-style (for older kiddos).
Want to dig deeper? Explore our other articles for more guidance on how to prepare for your child’s needs.
Nourishment During Holiday Travel Video
