Food and Nutrition Travel Tips
Whether you travel for work, pleasure, or for the holidays, eating away from home can be challenging. Sticking to a regular meal schedule or making nutrient dense food choices can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you remain mindful of your eating habits while traveling:
1. Pack snacks. Dried fruit, nuts, turkey or beef jerky, pistachios, trail mix, or protein bars (low in sugar and high in protein) travel well. Although it's not best to rely on protein bars on a regular basis, they can really come in handy to bridge long gaps between meals or as a meal replacement when you are short on time to stop for a proper meal. If you travel with a cooler, pack it with string cheese, yogurt, hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit, hummus, and cut up vegetables. If you run out of time to shop for snacks, you can typically find these foods at convenience stores or airport newsstands.
2. Stop for a proper meal. It's easier now to find healthier options when traveling at fast food restaurants, airports, or convenience stores. These places offer salads, veggie burgers, protein packs with hard boiled eggs, nuts, and cheese, yogurt parfaits, hummus and pita chips, and fresh fruit.
3. Ask the Concierge or Locals for restaurant recommendations. You can also search online, on sites such as Google Reviews or Yelp to find nearby restaurants that serve specialty foods, vegetarian options, or can accommodate other dietary considerations.
4. Once you arrive at your destination, try to stick to a regular eating schedule and be mindful of your usual eating habits. For example, start your day with a typical breakfast of Greek yogurt with a high fiber cereal, and berries. This can help set the tone for the rest of the day.
5. Stay active. You may not be able to stick to your regular exercise regimen during your trip but stay active. Pack your gym clothes to use the gym in the hotel, take walks, walk to your destinations, include physical activities or family expeditions.
6. Whether you are traveling for work or pleasure, remember an occasional indulgence has a negligible effect. What you do day to day matters most.
Happy and Safe Travels!