Eat Well, Travel Well: Your Guide to Conscious Eating While Traveling
We all know eating never goes exactly how we plan when traveling. Whether you are home for the holidays or simply taking a couple days away, here are some of my strategies to stay somewhat aligned with my diet / eating goals:
Plan Ahead: Research restaurants and grocery stores at your destination. Look for healthier dining options before you arrive. If you know that you are going out, read the menu and find a healthy / goal satisfying option that fits your plan.
Pack Snacks: Bring nutritious snacks like nuts, dried fruit, or protein bars to avoid unhealthy airport or roadside food.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water. Sometimes, thirst is mistaken for hunger, and staying hydrated can help curb cravings.
Practice Portion Control: When dining out, consider sharing meals or opting for smaller portions to avoid overeating.
Choose Wisely: Look for grilled, baked, or steamed options instead of fried foods. Prioritize vegetables and whole grains. Whole Foods are your best friend when traveling. Bonus points if you’re eating Farm to Table.
Stay Active: Incorporate physical activity into your travel routine, whether it's walking, hiking, or using hotel gym facilities. This is also a great opportunity to just walk around and explore the location that you are in.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to hunger cues. Eat when you're hungry and stop when you're satisfied. One of the things I struggled with the most was knowing that I was not hungry and feeling pressured to eat anyways. You DO NOT have to do that. Set boundaries if you want to overindulge or skip meals on certain days, you are in total control of you!
Allow Treats: It’s okay to indulge occasionally! Enjoy a sweet treat every now and then. Flexibility is key here, the more you restrict yourself the harder it will be to meet your goals.
Overall, you want to enjoy your travel. Don’t let food be your focal point. If you have serious diet and health goals than take what you eat seriously but be flexible enough to know that it wont always go exactly to plan. Like everything else in life, it is about BALANCE.
