One of the fondest memories of travelling via train is enjoying a meal on wheels. If you have ever planned a trip with relatives and cousins, the sight of disposable plates, steel dabbas opening, tiffin boxes leaking oil because pickles were packed, and puris and parathas stacked and stuffed inside lunch boxes is pure bliss.
It is fun because, unlike your home, you tend to eat more on the train. Any hawker passing by will intrigue you about what they are selling. From snacks to an entire meal, avid travellers often carry a separate bag stuffed with delicacies. If you are among them, here is your guide to packing food and beverages for the train journey.
Pack Napkins
Before you even start packing food items and beverages, stuff the bag with napkins and polybags. With pickles and curries, you will need many more of those. You can also consider carrying wet napkins, especially the ones that can sanitise your hands. This will prevent you from frequent visits to the basin at the end of a coach.
Pack Fresh Food
Since you will be travelling for days, pack fresh food. Whether you have prepared snacks, thepla, or puri, ensure that they are prepared no more than a couple of hours before you are planning to leave for the station. If you are preparing curries or dry sabzi, use fresh ingredients and cook them on the same day you have to depart.
Make Sure To Consider Special Diet Demands
When you are cooking for train travel, consider the special dietary requirements of every family member. For example, you can carry a sugar and salt sachet to ensure people with diabetes and high blood pressure do not consume something in access that can hamper their health. Keep whole-grain snacks, protein bars, and other such ready-to-eat food items in your bag to present a quick solution to hunger.
Also Read: Monsoon Snacks To Prepare With Leftover Pane
Pick Easy-To-Eat Foods
Indians are pro at setting up a dining space in the middle of two births. However, it will be easier for you to pack easy-to-eat foods, especially if you are travelling alone. Stuff the containers with nuts, crackers, chips, cookies, trail mixture, fried samosas and kachoris, salads, and sandwiches. These items can easily be passed between seats and make the dining experience hassle-free.
Use Spill-Proof Containers
Whether you are travelling via train or bus, you should pack the food in spill-proof containers. Consider airtight jars and zip-lock bags to ensure nothing spills, and you can also prevent the food from contamination. Store food in small sizes to avoid any kind of wastage. If you fill a container with curry to the brim, it is likely to spill. However, if you store it in small quantities in two separate containers, you can travel without hassle.
Carry Polybags
If you are travelling with a large group, always pack large poly bags with you. When it comes to disposing of plates, spoons, and even foils, you cannot carry everything in your hand. You are more likely to spill and create a mess in the coach. The best way is to dump everything in a poly bag and carry that to the end of the coach where the dustbin is kept. This will help you keep your surroundings clean and make the dumping task a little easier.
Carry Water & Juices
When travelling long distances, you should keep yourself hydrated. Make sure to ask every member of the travelling group to carry a water bottle with them. Though you can buy extras at the railway station, it is better to keep fruit juices and water bottles in extra. You should also avoid packing alcoholic beverages, flavoured water, and soda cases because their consumption contributes to dehydration.