We all feel – at one time or another (or all the time) – that we are way overdue for a vacation or a road trip. And with the holidays coming up, we may find ourselves being on the go or even on the road a lot more. This go, go, go makes it a lot more convenient to eat out and make unhealthy choices more often out of convenience or stress/laziness. Whatever the excuse, we have all been these at one time or another.
Eating healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle while out and about or travelling in an unfamiliar environment doesn’t have to be complicated, stressful or break the bank. You don’t have waste time hunting down the closest Whole Foods, thus gambling with a missed flight or deadline, but at the same time your day-to-day care becomes extremely important when you are travelling.
Here are some great tips on how to stay healthy on the go, whether it’s local or abroad.
Reusable water bottle
It's very important to stay hydrated for your overall health, but especially when you're travelling. Having a reusable water bottle is not only handy but economical as well. Most places/airports have water fountains or access to good water that you can fill up with. It is also a great way to fight against all those single-use plastic bottles. You can be an environmental warrior as you travel.
Get those ‘zzzs’ in when you can
Sleep is seriously underrated! If you don’t let your body and mind rest, then you won’t be able to perform at your full capacity. If you can’t take all your required Zs at once, then take naps throughout your day when possible. Travelling neck pillows are handy, just saying.
Snack often
This will help you avoid bingeing on anything and everything that you find when you are hungry, and will also help you maintain healthy sugar levels and avoid those crashes.
The 80/20 Rule
Let yourself indulge once in a while. If you are eating a whole-foods, nutrient-dense diet most of the time, then your body will know what to do with the extra crap and calories you may find yourself indulging in from time to time.
Don’t skip meals
This is very important. If you don’t have the time to eat a full meal, have a snack at the very least. Try to always have a fresh piece of fruit or a granola snack in your bag for when hunger hits. This will help you avoid stuffing yourself and will help keep your sugar levels balanced, which can lead to crankiness and added stress.
Listen to your body
Are you hungry or just thirsty? This is a good question to ask yourself when hunger strikes. When you find yourself feeling hungry, have a glass of water and see if this satisfies you. You may be surprised by the results.
Make time for exercise
Getting outside or even walking around an airport for 10-15 minutes might be all it takes. During exercise, several different chemicals are released into the brain, with a broad range of positive effects. These chemicals are powerful mood- and mind-boosting substances which will help alleviate the added stress to your body that may result from being on the go constantly.
Eat until you feel satisfied, not full
Avoid stuffing yourself! Be aware of what you are eating and how you feel. Take smaller bites of food and remember to chew, chew, chew!
Recipe: Energy Bars
Ingredients:
• ¼ cup cashews
• ¼ cup almonds
• ¼ cup pistachios
• ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
• 1 cup dried fruit
• 13 pitted dried dates
Directions:
• Combine all ingredients in a food processor. If they start clumping together, be sure to separate them. Process continually until ingredients form a ball
• Lay some parchment paper onto a square dish and spread ball into it
• Wrap the dish in plastic wrap and chill overnight
• Remove from fridge and cut into bars. Enjoy as a great snack. (They can also be frozen and enjoyed at a later date)
