Making healthy food choices when you travel is one of the very best ways to stay healthy on the road. Now, as many of us would agree, travel is definitely one of the best things about life. You get to experience new and exciting things, see amazing sights, meet interesting people and, of course, try delicious local cuisine. It’s a great way to broaden your horizons and explore the best of what the world has to offer— which makes it no wonder why everyone’s got a bit of a travel bug in them.
As fun as it is, travel also comes with a few things to keep in mind. In one of our previous posts – What to Pack When You Are Traveling – we listed out essential tips for putting together the perfect travel bag. Luggage, however, isn’t the only thing you have to think about when you go traveling. One of the most important things to keep in mind for tourists, no matter where in the world you’re headed, is how to stay healthy. After all, vacations are no fun when you’re stuck in your hotel room nursing a bug. The best way to stay healthy is with food. Here are four tips for healthy eating when you are on the go:
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Breakfast is always touted as the most important meal of the day, but it’s especially significant for travelers. Why is that? Nutritional therapist Catherine Crow tells us that skipping meals can affect the way your body manages your blood sugar. It can also put you at risk for heart disease and other illnesses.
This can have a huge impact on the rest of your day— especially if you’re planning to go out to see the sights. Traveling involves a lot of energy, even more than you’d need on a typical day. Breakfast keeps you fueled up and provides you with nutrients that help fight off exhaustion, inflammation and disease, so make sure you’re eating in the mornings.
Pack Snacks
Blood sugar and energy levels are pretty important for travelers, which are reasons enough to bring your own snacks. Those aren’t the only benefits, though. Packing your own snacks on a trip can actually save you money, especially if you’re headed for tourist traps that inflate prices. Additionally, bringing your own snacks makes it easier to track your health, because you know what you’re eating and what it can do for you.
Not sure where to start with this one? No worries. Experts at NBC News have put together a list of healthy travel snacks that will keep even the busiest traveler perked up. You can try fresh produce like cut fruits, or even healthy packaged snacks like protein bars. These are portable, easy to eat on the go, and can boost your energy so you feel healthier and happier on your travels.
Prep in Advance
Another thing you can do in order to make sure that you’re eating healthy on a trip is to prep in advance. Even the most spontaneous traveler can do with a little bit of planning— clothes, itinerary, you name it. If you’re already mapping out what you need and where you want to go on your trip, why not add your food to the list?
Prepping in advance means you can take advantage of items that can make your travels more convenient. For example, Brightcore recommends bringing superfood powders like wheatgrass along for the trip, because they’re packed with healthy nutrients that can keep up your energy, ease your digestion, and even fight cancer and other diseases in the long run. Putting together a list of foods and supplements ahead of time can do wonders for your diet on the trip itself, so don’t be afraid to put in a bit of effort in the pre-planning stage.
Do Your Research
Finally, if you really want to eat healthy on your trips, then you should be prepared to do a bit of research. Bringing your own food from home is always important, and can definitely help you save a bit on your travel expenses. However, fresh food is equally essential, so you need to keep your eyes peeled for healthy restaurants and eateries at your destination.
You can start by asking friends and family, or do a bit of online sleuthing. For instance, Simply Quinoa has a quick guide on finding healthy restaurants on your travels. Also, most restaurants in many tourist destinations have online pages that provide information on their menus and pricing. You can even ask your hotel staff or locals where delicious, fresh food can be found.
Keeping healthy is essential for enjoying your trips, and food is definitely key to that. Try to put in the same kind of energy that you have for planning your itinerary into planning your meals. Not only does your body need the fuel, a good meal can often be the icing on the cake to a fantastic trip. Have a fun and delicious trip!
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