Tips for healthy travel
Along with so many of you, I have been traveling a lot lately. Although it is very exciting to be going places again and have the thrill of traveling, it can be hard to stick to your wellness goals while on the road. I find that the actual travel part is one of the more difficult parts for me and have heard the same sentiment from many of you. I have done some admittedly sort of strange things in order to eat healthy while traveling – sneaking pre-made overnight oats through security, begging a sandwich place in the airport to sell me a full avocado, bringing my own protein powder and then buying plain almond milk from a coffee shop to make a protein shake, to name a few.
While these things all worked for me, you don’t have to resort to extreme measures to eat healthy while traveling. Below are my top tips for a healthy travel day. With a little preplanning, you can ensure that you feel great when you get to your destination!
Eat a healthy meal before you go. Depending on the time of your trip, try to eat a healthy meal before you head out, as it will help you feel like your trip is off to a good start and set you up for success. Aim for a meal that contains protein, fiber, and some fat to help keep you full for hours. Eggs with avocado and some fruit, a big salad full of vegetables and some nuts, or a homemade smoothie are all great choices.
Workout before you go. Try to fit in a brief workout before you leave as well – even a walk or 20 minutes of yoga will go a long way towards getting your trip off on the right foot and leave you feeling good before you are cramped in a car or on a plane for hours.
Bring your own snacks. While some airports have improved their food options, it can still be difficult to find a healthy meal at the airport. And road trips generally mean lots of fast food and convenience store snacks. There are a number of easy and healthy snacks that you can bring yourself. While these require a little advanced planning, they are easy to find and pack.
Nuts – an easy go to
Make your own trail mix – mix your favorite nuts and seeds with a little unsweetened dried fruit
Avocado – you might get a few weird looks, but it is one of my favorite things to bring on a plane and will keep you full for hours; can pair with some crackers
Dark chocolate – great way to satisfy your sweet tooth
Fruit – apples and assorted berries are my favorite ones to bring
Cut up vegetables – bring cut up celery and carrots to get some vegetables in while traveling
Nut butter packs – many stores have travel sized nut butter packets that you can bring with you and either put on your fruit/vegetables or just eat plain
Popcorn – a generally low calorie food that can be a great choice if just want something to much on
A note about bars – while some bars can be a good way to get necessary macronutrients in a convenient way, many bars contain enough calories to replace a meal. Make sure you know how many calories are in that bar and if you are using it to replace a meal or just as a snack. Also check the ingredients – bars can be loaded with sugar and unhealthy ingredients.
You probably need less food than you think. We often use a plane or car ride as a time to mindlessly snack for hours. Take note of how long your trip is and how often you would normally eat and try to stick to the same schedule. Do not use the travel time as an excuse to eat every single snack possible.
If it is a longer trip, bring your own meal. Make a sandwich or salad at home and bring it with you.
Drink lots of water. Probably the most important tip. We often avoid drinking on trips to cut down on bathroom stops but staying hydrated is essential for feeling good while traveling. Planes are especially dehydrating so ensure that you either bring or buy a water bottle and finish it by the time you get to your destination.
Hope these tips serve you well as you go on your next adventure! Happy traveling!
