Let's face it. When we travel, we don't always have time to cook. And while plenty of good-for-you meals can be had at most restaurants, it's essential to know how to make healthy choices.
It can be tough to maintain healthy eating habits while traveling. You'll probably need to eat at more restaurants than usual. And staying on track with a healthy diet can be difficult when there are many variables in the food you consume.
Here are some tips on how you can stick to your healthy-eating plan while traveling:
Pack snacks like nuts, low-calorie snacks, rice cakes, and berries.
- Nuts provide protein and fiber along with healthy fats. Low-calorie snacks such as fruit cups or 100-calorie packs are great for a snack on the go.
- Rice cakes are an excellent alternative to chips when you need a crunchy treat between meals.
- Berries can be eaten alone or used in smoothies for an incredible burst of flavor!
To pack these foods:
Please keep them in resealable bags, so they don't get crushed by other items in your bag. You can also put them into reusable containers that you're sure won't leak. That way, if something does leak out of one of those plastic bags (and trust us when we say it does), it won't ruin everything else inside your bag! Store them at room temperature since there's no need to freeze or refrigerate these foods.
To eat these foods:
They are easy enough to eat on their own but if there's room left after finishing your meal at lunchtime, feel free to bring out some nuts and crackers instead! They're also great additions to sandwiches or salads because they add texture without adding too many calories."
Use the hotel gym or take a 30-minute walk around town every morning.
- If you're fortunate enough to stay in a hotel with a fitness center, take advantage of it. Even if you can't spare the time for a full workout, just taking some laps around the treadmill or weights area is better than nothing.
- If you're staying in an Airbnb or other property that doesn't have a fitness center but has space for exercise equipment such as treadmills and weights. Consider bringing your workout mat. That way, if you want to do yoga or Pilates outside your room (and not at an additional cost).
- Another option is to walk around town every morning. This is a great way to get some movement in your day and look around some landmarks in the city you are staying in.
Book a hotel with continental breakfast, or if in Airbnb, go grocery shopping for breakfast food.
- Book a hotel with a continental breakfast. This way, when it's time for your meal, you can walk down the hall and get what you need—no scheduling necessary.
- If you're staying in an Airbnb, consider grocery shopping for healthy foods that will keep well and won't spoil. Some examples include nuts, dried fruit, trail mix, whole grain cereal, and granola bars. These are great options because they can last longer than fresh produce and don't require refrigeration until opened!
Ask restaurants for low-calorie sauce options.
- One of the easiest ways to cut calories is to choose a healthier sauce. For example, balsamic vinaigrette instead of ranch dressing can help you save about 100 calories per serving. You can also ask restaurants for low-calorie sauce options or dressings on the side.
Order salad for appetizer. Dressing on the side
As you're probably aware, salad dressing is often packed with calories, fat, and sugar. But did you know that it can also be high in sodium? And preservatives? Artificial ingredients?
If you order a salad as an appetizer at a restaurant, ask for the dressing on the side. That way, if your salad contains more than half an ounce of oil, you don't have to worry about consuming two full servings of fat before starting your entrée.
It's also a great way to control how much dressing goes on your greens: If your goal is to get in more servings of veggies without having them drowned by extra dressing, this tip will help ensure that happens!
There is no perfect way to eat on the road, but if you're serious about keeping your healthy eating habits in check, these tips can help. Remember that it's not about being perfect — it's about making progress!
