I've been on the road for over two weeks now, camping and sticking to the back roads. I expected to be challenged trying to eat fresh, healthy food the whole time. It's really not been as bad as I thought.
A couple things that help:
1) A food dehydrator. Before hitting the road, most nights I would make double quantities of whatever we were having for dinner. Then, I dehydrated the leftovers. It's so easy, and pretty much anything goes. I've done veggies and rice, stews, soups, chili, refried beans, hummus, pasta dishes, beans, etc. The dried food keeps in a sealed bag for months, and even longer if you freeze it. To reconstitute it, just add boiling water and let it sit for 10 minutes or so. This has been a lifesaver when grocery stores aren't nearby, or time is limited.
2) A good camping stove. We had borrowed the MSR Whisperlite stove for backpacking in Yellowstone this past year. We loved how compact it was, and how easy and efficient the setup and breakdown was. It runs on white gas. We ended up buying one for this trip, and I would highly recommend it. It packs up so small, and it works wonders. I've reconstituted meals with it and made fresh meals of all sorts including pancakes.
3) Veggie wash. In most of the small towns we've run through, the tiny grocery stores have small produce sections and absolutely no organic selection at all. So, stay away from the dirty dozen, and wash everything else with veggie wash. It's better than nothing, anyway. And I think getting fresh fruits and veggies whenever possible outweighs the pesticides in the long run.
4) Talk to people. Just by talking to locals, or especially campground hosts at state and national parks, we have learned where to buy what we are looking for. We were directed toward this wonderful health food store in Del Rio, and the woman who owned that new where to buy organic produce. It's all about finding out where to go. Especially when you can't utilize the internet for happycow.com, just ask. You'll be surprised what you can find, and where.
5) Don't give in to the convenience of "food". Eat before you leave each morning, so you won't be tempted to grab snacks from gas stations or other places. Pack a lunch each morning, or snacks from your own food stores and keep them in easy reach while driving, in case you get hungry. Even in small grocery stores, you can find whole grains and foods with limited additives if you take the time to look. Roll into a big city every once in a while, so you can stock up from somewhere that carries everything you need.
So far, eating vegan and eating healthy have been relatively easy for us. So don't think it's not possible. You don't have to sacrifice your health for the sake of the road. In fact, it's even more important to make sure you stay healthy when you're far from home, or in the wilderness. Drink lots of water, keep your grains whole, and get your fruits and veggies when you can.
