Travelling to exciting new destinations can be thrilling, but it can also make it hard to keep up your healthy eating habits. The temptation of energy-filled treats and calorie-heavy meals can easily wreak havoc on all your healthy eating goals. But don’t worry – here are helpful tips to enable you to stay on track as you travel so you can achieve your nutritional goals while you explore the world!
1. Nourishing On-the-Go: Ways to Maintain a Healthy Diet in the Midst of Travel
Traveling doesn’t have to lead to unhealthy eating habits — it’s totally possible to keep your diet on track, even when you’re on the go. Here are some tips to make sure you’re getting the nourishment you need while exploring the world.
- Stay Hydrated: Be sure to bring plenty of water with you, since dehydration can result in fatigue and even mild discomfort.
- Be Prepared : Stock your luggage with healthy snacks. Granola bars, nuts, and fruits in season are easy ways to stay energized while traveling.
- Be Mindful : Pay attention to what you’re eating. Try to familiarize yourself with the local cuisine – taste the flavors of where you’re visiting and choose healthier options when possible.
When dining out, you’re still in control of your order. Many restaurants now post nutrition info, so when possible try to choose the option with the least amount of caloric intake. Consider the way your meal is cooked, as well. If you can, opt for grilled proteins as opposed to fried.
If you’re feeling guilty about a late night indulgence in street snacks, plan ahead for the next meal. Bumping up your exercise levels is one of the best ways to counterbalance an unhealthy dinner — so check to see if your hotel offers a gym. If not, why not go out for a walk or jog? Plenty of vacation destinations offer beautiful hiking trails that will get your heart racing — a great way to add a little physical activity to your travels.
As with any healthy lifestyle, the key is balance and moderation. Don’t go too hard on yourself — allow for some guilty pleasures now and again. After all, a little indulgence can be part of a well-rounded vacation experience.
2. Crafting Reasonable Routines When You’re on the Road
Traveling for work or pleasure can be a great way to explore new places and break up the monotony of life. But a highly flexible and diverse lifestyle also requires a certain level of planning. To stay healthy and productive while on the road, it’s essential to craft reasonable daily routines.
Get off on the right track by carving out a little time to plan your days. Block out times for meals, rest, exercise, errands, and even leisure activities, so you don’t end up feeling overwhelmed when you’re in a new city. And make sure to set boundaries on things like work and screen time, so you don’t burn out too quickly.
Don’t forget to keep up with your physical and mental health routines, too. It’s easy to fall into unhealthy habits when on the move, especially with late nights or early mornings of travel. But by establishing a few basic rules like no fried food and a minimum of 8 hours sleep per night,you can keep yourself fit and energized no matter where the journey takes you.
Here are a few additional tips for crafting reasonable routines on the road:
- Set an alarm every morning for the same time, so you maintain your body’s circadian rhythm.
- Aim to stick to the same nightly routine, like reading before bed or taking a warm bath.
- Eat healthy, nutritious foods instead of relying on processed snacks.
- Make an effort to move throughout the day, especially with sitting-oriented activities.
- Try to stick to the same work schedule, even if you’re in a different timezone.
To enjoy a successful trip, it’s important to take the time to craft sensible routines that you can stick to, no matter how far you travel. With a little forethought and proper planning, you’re guaranteed to have a better experience as an on-the-go adventurer.
3. Fueling Up During Long Trips: Finding Time for Healthy Meals
Long trips can often be a cause of stress, especially if you are the driver. You are focused on getting to your destination efficiently and safely, and may not remember to take care of yourself as well. Eating unhealthy food during long trips is common; however, this sort of temptations can mean hours of digestive trouble after the journey. The following are some ideas to make sure that while you are on the go, you don’t neglect nutritious meals.
- Plan Ahead – Even though your plan is to be as fast as possible, it is important to make sure that a healthy and nutritious meal is part of that plan. The night before your trip, have your meal catered and make sure to keep snacks at hand during the journey.
- Eat According to Your Trip Schedule – In some cases, stops will be necessary in order to refuel the car. Take these moments as a sign to not only refuel the car, but also your own fuel stores. Make sure that while you eat in restaurants, your meal is balanced and nutritious.
- Make Strategic Use of Grocery Stores – When appropriate, visit a grocery store and pick out salads, sandwiches, as well as healthy snacks. Eating at the car while driving is not recommended since it may be distracting. Instead, take quick stops in order to refuel with items purchased at grocery stores.
It is important that you remember to take care of your body while on the go. Eating meals according to your trip schedule will give you the necessary energy to get to your destination. This is especially true if you are the one driving. Don’t forget snacks; they can be your best friends in times when hunger calls. But make sure that they are healthy and nutritious. Lastly, you can make strategic use of grocery stores while on the go. Even though these places are full of temptations, you will be able to pick out healthy items that will give you the energy you need at the moment.
4. Being Kind to Yourself: Examples of Self-Care While Traveling
Traveling, either for adventure or relaxing, can be incredibly draining if you don’t take the effort to take time for self-care. It’s so easy to get caught up in sightseeing and scheduling that you can forget to take a break. Here are a few examples of how to practice self-care while on the go:
- Prioritize Kip: Make sure you’re getting enough sleep while you’re away. Jet lag can make this difficult, but if you set a sleep schedule and stick to it, you’ll feel better overall.
- Eat Healthy: Eating out is an inevitable part of traveling, but that doesn’t mean you have to fill up on junk food. Pack a mixer, some protein bars and some healthy snacks to have on hand as you take in the sights.
- Get Outside: Take advantage of local parks, beaches, and outdoor activities. Even if your time is limited, having a few minutes of outdoor time can be incredibly refreshing.
- Take a Break: Planning every hour of your day can be exhausting. Sometimes you just have to give yourself a break and make time to be in the moment.
Treat yourself with respect and kindness during your travels. Listen to what your body is telling you and allow yourself some time to rest. Do something you enjoy, like seeing a movie or reading your favorite book. Most importantly, don’t forget to show yourself working from the inside out.
Invest in some quality downtime. Downtime is essential to recharge and keep your senses in check. Whether you’re out exploring a new city or just taking a break in your hotel room, make sure that you’re setting aside some time for yourself to do something that you love. Whether it’s carving out time to meditate, go for a jog, or people-watch, make sure that you’re taking the time to reset.
Traveling can be extremely fulfilling, but it’s also important to keep your mental and physical health in check while doing so. Making sure you’re taking care of yourself and allowing the time for self-care will make your journey that much more enjoyable and memorable.
Whether you’re clocking miles in your car or exploring new territory on the plane, healthy eating on the go can seem like a daunting task. But with the right research and preparation, accompanied by these helpful tips for staying on track during travel, you can continue to maintain a healthy diet all-the-while discovering new and exciting places. Bon voyage!
