Nuts, seeds and dried fruit are nearly hassle-free snacks to bring with you on your trip, as they do not require refrigeration. Pack foods in resealable bags and keep them in your purse or carry-on bag for easy access. Think sunflower and pumpkin seeds, nuts such as cashews, peanuts, walnuts, and almonds; and dried fruit such as apricots, figs, dates, raisins, cranberries, apples, bananas, peaches and pineapples. Combine nuts, fruits and seeds to make your own trail mix.
While raw vegetables often do require refrigeration, they can still last without it for some time. Pack carrot sticks, celery sticks and slices of red and green peppers and ask the train restaurant for ranch dressing or other dip, if desired. Broccoli and cucumbers are also dip-able vegetables that can be easily packed into resealable bags. Also try making raw cucumber sandwiches with avocado and tomato. Small coolers packed with ice for long train trips are also an option and provide you with the opportunity to pack fresh fruit as well.
Pack breakfast bars to avoid loading up on donuts and bagels in the train restaurant. Some breakfast bars contain condensed milk so that you can have your morning cereal even when traveling. Quaker, Carnation, Kellogg's and Kashi all make breakfast bars, though making your own breakfast bars is also an option. Use condensed milk, rolled (not instant) oats, unsalted peanuts, mixed seeds and dried cranberries to create healthy homemade bars.
Other options for train travel food include mini cracker sandwiches with items like hummus, sliced tomato and bell peppers, or organic peanut butter and assorted jams. Pack instant oatmeal and soup and ask train attendants for hot water. Freeze a water bottle and keep it next to food containers if you want your foods to keep cool.
