Few Tips for Eating Healthy While Traveling

Food can be a luxury or a necessity when you travel. Some people travel for fun, others for business – like me. But the real question here is; how do I eat healthy while traveling? Here are my top tips for eating healthy when traveling!

1) Keep your meals planned

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I’m sure you can guess what this means – don’t order take-out all the time. If your meals come pre-portioned that way, then that makes them easier to handle while on your travels. There are times when it takes some research into preparation time to find exactly what you want, but if you plan ahead for the week, food doesn’t have to be something you either think or think about. It can be easily prepared, packed, and put away so you can focus on other things. You won’t feel stressed about missing dinner as soon as you get back home because you were supposed to take care of it. This also means that you don’t have to rush out the door just to grab whatever meal you packed because you know you have enough time to sit down and enjoy it!

2) Make good choices

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If there’s one thing that seems to stay with me while I travel to Europe, it’s the incredible variety of foods. When I first started traveling, I felt a little overwhelmed by the amount of different foods available. To make matters worse, in my hostel, we had more than 4 meals a day! However, I knew that I needed to eat healthier and try to make the most of each bite. With those goals in mind, I made it a point to include lots of fruit and vegetables in my meals. Not only will I enjoy myself without being hungry, but these foods can actually help prevent heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and many other health concerns! So go ahead – pack your lunch, choose your fruits and veggies in advance, and pack your snacks in a small bag so they don’t take up too much room. Just remember; you’ll never miss a delicious meal! Plus, you’ll be sure to have plenty of energy to keep going through the trip!

3) Pack your own snacks

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When I travel, I know all too well that I need snacks. And not just any snacks – they have to be healthy snacks to give me the energy I need during my time in Europe. In addition to snacks, my luggage holds snacks and water bottles. One idea I recommend packing with you is a protein bar. They are great when you’re traveling as they can be portable, and are usually low in calories. Another tip would be a protein powder as these contain proteins that help to keep you full until your next meal, so you don’t get hungry. Lastly, make sure your water is cold and preferably flavoured ice for optimal flavour!

4) Take proper vitamins

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When I travel, I usually take three or four supplements with me at all times. These vitamins include folic acid (Vitamin B9), thiamin (Vitamin B1), vitamin D (Vitamin D3), vitamin E (Vitamin E) and niacinamide (Vitamin B3). Always consult with your physician before starting a new diet or supplement regimen (especially if you aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding!). Also, check out nutritionists and doctors for suggestions regarding which vitamins work best and which need supplementation when traveling! Of course, these may not be able to accommodate every individual’s needs, and I usually recommend consulting with your doctor when trying to figure out what supplements to take while traveling.

5) Find ways to incorporate exercise

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When traveling, I always make sure to incorporate at least 20 minutes of physical activity a day. Now this can vary depending on where you live, who you’re traveling with and how active you are. In fact, according to studies done in Portugal, Scotland, Denmark and Sweden, daily walking for 30 minutes per day is extremely beneficial to overall body health. Walking isn’t limited only to working out outdoors, though, even short walks can add up if you do them regularly! Another option is yoga which is another form of exercise. Yoga requires you to do postures that involve breathing, twisting, etc., which puts your body in a state of stress that promotes better health! Finally, another type of exercise is strength training where you perform push-ups, squats, crunches, etc., and you should aim to do 5 to 10 different types of exercises per week!

6) Don’t forget about snacking

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When it comes time to rest, I always make sure my snacks are easy to reach. A few options include nuts and dried fruit. Many of the “healthier” nuts will still have plenty of fiber in them but won’t provide the same nutritional value. Additionally, dried fruit has zero sugar which is very important during my busy days in Europe. Nuts, on the other hand, tend to be higher in calories, carbs, and fats, so I typically opt for nut butter instead. This snack allows me to satisfy hunger without overeating or feeling like I’m consuming way more calories than necessary. Lastly, I make sure to pack fresh fruit before departing from the US for Europe. Fresh fruit contains many nutrients including potassium, magnesium, folate, manganese, and many more, which play a significant role when it comes to staying healthy while traveling