Food matters on the road

I kind of like the double meaning to today’s title. Yes, matters of food are important when one ventures out on the leisure trip.  For some folks the foods pertaining to a particular area are the driving factors for the visit. For others trying new foods is a thrill activity on the road. Food really matters.

I don’t blame myself whenever I slack into daydreaming over sumptuous fufu at a Chop Bar somewhere near Takoradi’s Market Circle, or a quintessential bowl of banku and light-okro soup in Hohoe or home-made ampesie enriched with all the ‘incomiums’ at Bosomtwi.

The main meaning of my title, really, is that we are going to discuss matters of food when the family travels out for days. As everyone is out on safari, it comes with a big change in food options as well as eating habits.

Remember, out there, Mama’s kitchen does not apply and Mama may never get the chance to cook.

The reality is that the family dinner table is in motion, on the road, sometimes in the most improbable places. The home truth is that there are times you may not exactly know where you’d grab the next meal.

If you have a pack of hungry teenagers and toddlers at your back, accept my ‘sorry ooo’.

Let us begin from the beginning. Before leaving home, you may not be able to carry foodstuff at all. That is out of the question. But you can load up on snacks. Snacks in the car are crucial if you want your peace especially with the little ones.

If your family is anything like mine, ‘Mummy I’m hungry’ could start right from the moment the car leaves the front gate. Having said that, do not drive for more than two hours without stopping. Food or snacks can thus be good reasons to break.

Please, do not bring one bag of chips, one bottle of juice, etc. when traveling with more than one child, as you do not want to have to deal with them fighting.

 Each child should have a little closeable bag (preferably one that really seals) with his or her name on it, and identical snacks, so everyone knows exactly what is theirs.

Not everyone will be ambitious on snacks. But at least, plan fruit snack time for all. I like to try local snacks. But do watch out for hygiene, and handling, if you are similarly inclined. With little kids, stop providing snack as you approach lunch or dinner time.

Prepare for change in eating habits. Some family members might suddenly begin to eat more, while others may drop in appetite. Even if you get the same dishes which you are used to at home, the cooking may be different. 

What this means is that some vitamins may be lacking. With the advice of a doctor/dietician you may stock up on some vitamins and supplements for, especially, the kids. 

Plan travel time with lunch time in mind. If you are going through a big town before your destination, plan to have lunch at a restaurant in that big town. This means early lunch or late lunch. Please ensure that meals bought by the roadside are hot.

If there’s going to be an early lunch then arrange for a light breakfast. If you have prepared for late lunch then it helps to plan a heavy breakfast and, most probably a light dinner. Please involve everyone in these decisions.

You do not want food and drinks to mess the insides of your vehicle. In the car, avoid all foods that are sticky, messy or crumby.

Make sure juice boxes are small and would be finished at one time or bring spill-proof cups. In other words, buy small sizes of juices and bottled drinks so they can be drunk at a go.

For treats, buy small sucking or individual chewing candies that you can distribute and never end up in hands but go directly to the mouth.

Make sure to have plenty of extra plastic bags for throwing away food and trash during the journey.

Make sure everyone uses the bathroom before boarding and change diapers, even if they seem to be clean.