What types of food will you be eating on your next vacation or business trip?
If this is a question you’ve never asked yourself before traveling, then you’ve probably been making some terrible choices when it comes to food.
Eating healthy while traveling can be a challenge if you’re not well prepared.
This blog post will share 5 simple tips to make eating healthy easier for you on your next vacation or trip!
How to Eat Healthy While Traveling
You’re probably constantly on the go, whether that means commuting to work, traveling abroad, or somewhere new within your country. So what does it mean for your diet?
Maintaining healthy eating while traveling may seem like a tough task, but there are ways to make it extremely easy on yourself.
Here are some of the most effective tips for maintaining an appropriate and nutritious diet when you’re constantly on the go!
1. Pack Your Own Snacks
Nothing keeps your hunger at bay than having a great snack to munch on whenever you need it.
Preparing your favorite snacks ahead of time will help you skip the junk food that’s always tempting you.
Pack more than enough snacks for a road trip or a flight so you don’t have to worry about whether or not you’ll be able to find something healthy and satisfying.
Packing healthy snacks is a great way to keep your energy up while you travel.
Healthy snack choices may include granola bars, protein bars, nuts, fresh or dried fruits, veggies, hummus, nut butter, and everything else you snack on that’s healthy.
Buy these snacks or make them at home to always have on hand.
You never know how wonderful a dried fruit might make you feel when you’re hungry and there’s nothing healthy in sight, so it’s best to be prepared.
If you’re unable to pack your own snacks ahead of time, take a trip to the local grocery store and buy your regular healthy foods so you can make those snacks. Have them ready and waiting.
2. Drink Lots of Water
Water is essential to maintaining a healthy daily diet. It’s imperative that you keep drinking the daily amount of water you need to stay healthy while traveling.
If you can’t bring a full water bottle with you — like going through airport security — buy a travel filter and use it extensively.
Make sure to keep hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day and definitely drink more on hot and extraneous days.
Stay away from sugary drinks and alcohol. They are more likely to cause dehydration, and being dehydrated in a new place can be dangerous.
If you’re traveling in a hot place, like the desert or somewhere where it’s humid, drink more water than usual to keep your body cool and refreshed!
Water is essential for staying healthy, so make sure to stay hydrated at all costs.
3. Cook Your Own Food
The grocery store should be your best friend when traveling. Not only can you find great snacks, lots of water to drink, and fresh fruits and vegetables, but you can also find a variety of foods to cook.
Cooking your own meals makes eating healthier while traveling easier.
Prepare easy recipes in advance so you will know what to buy at the grocery store to eliminate the fear of not getting the proper nutrients from foods available at local restaurants!
You’ll have more options when it comes to eating right, and you won’t be stuck wondering what’s for dinner at dinner time.
If you’re staying in a hotel that’s not equipped with a kitchen, try opting for foods that you can enjoy cold or at room temperatures like a salad, pre-cut veggies, fresh guacamole, and salsa, and foods won’t go bad when left out of refrigeration
Stock the mini-fridge in a hotel or the cooler in your car with breakfast, lunch, and dinner items that are easy to make.
This way, you can eat healthy while traveling and not worry about eating unhealthy foods because you have no other choice!
Eating out should be a treat, not your every meal, especially when you’re traveling.
Eating right while on the go should also be more delicious than falling into the unhealthy food traps set to throw you off your healthy path.
4. Skip the Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates the body, and it can lead to poor food choices later on in the day.
Alcohol can also cause you to feel sluggish, which is not a good feeling when you’re traveling and need more energy to keep going.
Stay away from alcohol. It doesn’t have any nutritional value, so your body won’t be getting anything positive out of drinking!
Stick to drinking water and getting plenty of sleep to stay healthy while traveling.
If you’re going out with friends, try ordering a mocktail or water with lemon slices instead so your body stays hydrated and doesn’t feel sluggish throughout the night and into the next day.
5. Avoid Buffets and Fast-food Restaurants
Unhealthy options are plentiful at all-you-can-eat buffets and fast-food restaurants, so avoid them at all costs.
My partner and I used to order a side of fries to keep the hunger pangs quiet whenever we planned poorly before heading out on a road trip. However, we quickly learned that not even the fries are a safe option at fast-food restaurants.
When eating out, search for healthier restaurant options before heading out on the road. Places with great salad bars and fresh produce should be the top priority.
If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, grab a snack from the local grocery store that will fill you up without making you feel sluggish or heavy.
Preparing in advance is key when traveling, so make sure you plan your days ahead of time!
What to Eat When Traveling Long Distances
Foods that replenish your energy tanks and keep you going should be the foods you chose to eat on and during long-distance traveling.
These types of foods include:
- Avocados
- Apples
- Strawberries and dark berries
- Oranges
- Dark leafy greens
- Oatmeal
- Nuts
- Nut butter
- Seeds (Pumpkin, chia, and flax seeds)
It’s important to make smart food choices when you’re out on the road, so plan in advance, stay hydrated, cook your own meals whenever possible, eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins for staying energized!
Choose Healthy Options
You may be tempted to grab the first thing you see when you arrive at your destination, but this often leads people to make unhealthy food decisions.
Keep your health as your number one priority, and choose healthy options every time.
Even if it’s a few extra bucks, the investment in your health will be worth every penny you spend, so don’t make terrible food decisions and end up feeling sluggish and exhausted while on vacation!
Follow the tips above to eat healthy when traveling and reduce the unhealthy temptation by packing snacks or cooking meals in advance so that all you have to do is eat them!
So, what are your tips for eating healthy on the go? Share them below!
