Healthy Travel Tips
As the travel season cranks up, I'm hearing from my program participants that they cannot stick to healthy eating away from home. And no doubt, embarking on a trip for business or fun can have temptation written all over it. However, whether you're trying to avoid fast food, eat a nutritious breakfast, or stick to a healthy diet, eating on the go is entirely possible.
The first and most critical step is to believe you will eat healthy while traveling. If you identify as a healthy eater, then there is a greater likelihood you will make decisions to eat healthy regardless of the circumstance. Also, think about how far you've come on your healthy eating journey; that can provide the motivation and pride to continue moving forward.
I had an international flight attendant in a past program who always packed her meals on long trips. She told the class there was nothing healthy about airplane food, so she'd fill a small cooler with an ice pack and take it along when traveling. Some healthy ideas for your cooler might be:
Breakfast: Dry oatmeal with flax seed, dried fruit and nuts, hard-boiled eggs, and individual servings of plain or vanilla yogurt.
Lunch: 100% whole grain bread or tortillas with any of the following: 2% cheese and nitrate-free turkey slices, peanut butter, tuna or salmon pouches, and pre-portioned servings of beans/legumes.
Snacks: Whole fruit, homemade trail mix (nuts, seeds, and dried fruit), pre-cut vegetables with single-serving hummus.
Once you arrive, go to the grocery, purchase, and store groceries that will create simple, quick healthy meals. Use the fridge to store yogurt, low-fat milk, string cheese, salad greens, dressing, pre-cut vegetables and fruits, hard-boiled eggs, edamame, lunch meat, and take-out leftovers. Use the microwave to make oatmeal, heat pre-cooked brown rice pouches, or prepare a sweet or white baked potato.
Traveling doesn't have to undo all your hard work; you can still eat at your business meeting or conference. Or maybe you are traveling to socialize with family and friends or to a vacation destination where you'll have a change of scenery and get some much-needed relaxation.
Enjoy the time away from your routine, and if you consume too much food and drink, don't stress or start the negative self-talk. Instead, get back on track at the very next meal or opportunity.
P.S. Are you ready to help your employees feel more connected and happier? My current programs teach more than healthy eating; more importantly, they provide the mental tools, tips, and strategies to make it all happen.😊 D.M. here on LinkedIn to find out more...