Is it possible to stay healthy when traveling? Of course! And I’m going to tell you how.
I have to admit, travel is not a simple task for me. With my food restrictions, it’s hard to find good meals to eat when I am traveling. And getting a plain green salad at every restaurant get’s a little bit old. Not to mention, I’m starving! I’ve been traveling nearly every month lately and from my experience, here’s how to make travel a fun part of your healthy lifestyle. Because nobody wants to sit at home and miss out!
1. Research the hotel you are staying at.
I always get into the habit of knowing what I’m going to encounter before I get there. Looking up the hotel and seeing what they offer for dining is important. If you have food allergies or intolerances, you can even call ahead and talk to the chef of the hotel restaurant. They will be very accommodating. It’s also important to know if the hotel has a refrigerator and/or microwave. Secret tip for you: if there isn’t a refrigerator in your room, you can request one (to keep medications cold, aka keep your food cold because food is medicine!) and most hotels will bring you a mini fridge.
2. Pack healthy snacks.
Whether you’re flying or driving, you can always pack snacks. My travel bag is always packed with them. These are some of my go-to’s for travel:
- Apples
- Grapes
- Lara Bars or other healthy snack bar
- Nuts/seeds
- Dried fruit (dates, mango, or apple)
- Almond butter packets
- Popcorn
- Green powder packets (mix in water for a quick energy boost)
- Eating Evolved Chocolate Bars (to indulge that sweet tooth in a healthy way)
I also keep a couple snacks in my purse throughout the trip so I always have emergency food if there is nothing to eat when I’m out!
3. Water, water, and more water.
It’s hard enough to stay hydrated when you are going about your normal daily routine at home, but when you are traveling it’s even harder. Hotels don’t have water readily available in the room unless you want to pay $8 a bottle, which I will not do. I always stock up on water at a local grocery store or gas station to keep in my room. If you don’t stay hydrated, your metabolism will slow down and energy drops. And when you’re eating out for days at a time, your metabolism is definitely something you want to keep functioning at its optimum level. To take it a step further, have lemon water in the morning when you wake up. Buy lemons at the store when you get your water so you are set up. And don’t forget to grab a plastic knife at a restaurant or the hotel to cut the lemons!
4. Order off the menu when you eat out.
First things first, Yelp is your friend. Search out Yelp for healthy restaurants in the area you’re traveling. But sometimes, when eating out at a restaurant, it’s proven difficult to find healthy options. I get really sick of the iceberg lettuce salads that are often the only option for us health nuts out there. Restaurants are slowly evolving to provide healthier options, but sometimes it’s not feasible. I went to a restaurant where nothing seemed to be safe for me to eat (ex: gluten-free because I have Celiac’s Disease), so I decided to go out of the box and order off the menu. For example, I saw on a menu there was chicken breast in one of the dishes as well as seasonal veggies in another dish. I took it upon myself and asked the waiter if I could simply have a chicken breast and a side of steamed vegetables. The restaurant was accommodating and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. Bonus: it’s often cheaper ordering this way too! Never be afraid to ask for what you want at a restaurant. And be clear about food allergies and/or intolerances… most restaurants will be very helpful to keep you safe.
5. Take digestive enzymes before meals.
Our bodies need all the help they can get… Especially when we are traveling! The long days and lack of decent sleep throws everything out of whack. Taking a digestive enzyme before eating your meals will give necessary enzymes to break down food and absorb it properly. When you are eating foods you don’t normally eat, these enzymes will help tremendously! My favorite digestive enzymes are Enzymix Pro by Apex Energetics. Contact me for purchase as this supplement can only be purchased through licensed professionals. One, 120-count bottle is $46.
6. Don’t stress.
If you can’t eat healthy for one meal, or you want to indulge once, go for it. Take a deep breath and enjoy the experience. I had gluten-free pizza last trip… it was awesome. I didn’t feel guilty about it and the next meal I got right back on track. It’s okay to let go once in awhile, I promise! You’re on vacation… enjoy it! Stressing about not eating healthy is worse for the body than actually having an unhealthy meal once or twice. It’s okay to not be perfect 🙂
Although it takes some extra effort, utilizing all these tips will help you to feel good when traveling so you can truly enjoy yourself. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to take another trip! Who’s with me and where are we going?!
With joy and health,
