5 Tips For Healthful Eating While Traveling
Eating healthy while traveling is possible, and you can balance enjoying the local cuisine with ensuring your nutritional choices support your whole-body health. The 5 tips below make it easier to maintain your personalized nutrition wherever you are in the world.
#1 Book a Place With a Kitchen
If your hotel, Airbnb, or vacation rental has a kitchen, you can grocery shop and prepare most of your meals. If a full kitchen isn’t possible, at least book a room with a mini fridge. There’s not a lot of room, but you can fit plain yogurt, low-fat cheese, turkey breast, veggies, leftovers, and more.
#2 Bring Your Own Bottle
Even if it’s not particularly hot or humid, staying adequately hydrated while traveling can be challenging. Bring a hot/cold insulated bottle with you so that you have easy access to water or unsweetened herbal tea. If you’ll be active or in a hot and humid environment, bring some low-sugar electrolyte packets with you.
Also pack your favorite teas, including functional teas to aid in digestion, relaxation, or personalized nutrient needs. Top teas for travel include ginger, peppermint, and chamomile.
#3 Pack Protein-Rich Snacks
Pack shelf-stable, low-sodium, and protein-rich snacks such as nuts and seeds to minimize snacking while out and about. If you don’t bring them with you, buy them once you arrive. Your snacks will also keep your energy up on active vacation days.
#4 Research Restaurants and Local Cuisine
Review the hotel menu, identify healthful restaurants, and research the local cuisine before you arrive. This will help you plan some of your meals in advance, making eating healthy while traveling easier to achieve.
If you are traveling for work and some of your meals are provided by your conference, workshop, or employer, inquire about the options ahead of time. Healthy options can be limited when feeding a crowd, leaving you with little more than empty-calorie pastries for breakfast or a side salad for lunch—so plan ahead.
#5 Indulge in Moderation
Food is culture, and vacation is a time to treat yourself, just be sure to indulge in moderation. You’ll likely be eating out more than usual, so the tips below will help:
Ensure you have a nutritious and well-balanced breakfast to start the day off right.
Identify which local dishes align with your nutritional objectives. There are sure to be several!
Share indulgent appetizers, meals, and desserts with friends, family, or colleagues.
Start meals with a nutrient-rich salad (dressing on the side) or another healthy starter.
Order additional veggies with your meal or substitute less than healthy sides for veggies.
Be mindful of portion size, even when eating meals that align with your personalized nutrition.
Give yourself something to look forward to by planning your indulgent meals in advance or plan a full splurge day.
Limit your alcohol intake, hydrate while drinking, and remember that fruity cocktails have more than a day’s worth of sugar.
Have Another Question Regarding Nourishing Your Body While You Travel?
Feel free to reach out directly to discuss eating healthy while traveling. Happy, healthy, and safe travels!