Can you Eat Healthy
While Traveling?
(or just going out to eat, running around town?)
Traveling
soon? Perhaps a long-awaited vacation? Business trip? Something completely
different? You just are always running around?
No matter
where you’re going, you’re probably going to appreciate some quick and easy
healthy food ideas. These can help you stay on track and help you bring, and
find real food. While these tips can all be used right here at home, this is
extra-important when you’re traveling. Traveling can throw your regular healthy
habits off when you’re skipping time zones or even just being in a different
place.
As a
health coach, I have such a sense of pride when my clients skip junky
convenience foods. Let me give you some great strategies that can help you do
this while you’re “on the road.”
Pro
Tip: When booking
your hotel room, ask if you can have one with a mini-fridge. This will help you
store some of your healthy snacks and groceries while you’re there.
PACKING YOUR OWN HEALTHY SNACKS
Well,
this is important because not only will it keep you from becoming a “hangry
junk-seeker,” but it can also hold you off until you’re able to stop at a
proper grocery store for say...actual real food!
Here are a bunch of my favorite
on-the-go snacks to have on hand in your bag and/or cooler:
● If you’re going to have a cooler,
or eat them within a couple of hours, try fresh fruit or boiled eggs (don’t
forget the ice packs).
● Unsalted nuts and seeds (I love
walnuts and pumpkin seeds myself).
● Dried or even freeze-dried fruit.
● Kind Bars or Organic Bars of your
choice
● Sliced veggies (carrots, celery,
cucumber, broccoli, etc.) with a dip (hummus, guacamole, salad dressing, etc.).
You can even buy single-serving packs at Costco.
● Find good quality protein bars, or
make your own before heading out.
● Good quality granola cereal (I
love Purely Elizabeth varieties)
● Savory snacks like roasted
chickpeas.
● High-quality protein powder to
make your own smoothies (I like Sun Warrior or Organifi). Be sure to also pack
a mini blender, like a Magic Bullet, if needed.
● And don’t forget your drinks.
Bring some water with you. Or if you’re flying, choose water in the airport and
on the plane.
Take a lengthwise slice of zucchini, roll it around fresh cut veggies of your choice..if you need a binder...try a smear of veggie cream cheese, hold together with a toothpick...throw in a baggie and take along. This is about 50 calories alone and about 70 calories with the smear!
(there's an APP for that!)
Of
course, you can always Google your destination and search for grocery stores or
healthy restaurants. But there are a couple of websites and apps that may be
helpful for you.
● FindMeGlutenFree - A website that
searches for gluten-free restaurants around the US.
● HealthyOut - An app that helps you
find restaurants that cater to your dietary preferences, be they gluten-free,
lactose-free, low-calorie, low-carb, etc.
● Food Tripping - Designed for road
trips, this app helps you find alternatives to fast food.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Travelling
often comes with unnecessary junk food that can derail your healthy lifestyle.
Planning ahead and being prepared can be simple, and help keep your health
goals on track even when you’re out and about!
REFERENCES
