When you travel, it can be hard to eat healthy. Part of the fun of visiting new places is trying different foods that are popular in the area, especially when it comes to desserts. Balancing healthy foods with new favorites is a good way to stay on track while you are away from home. As you start planning your trip, take a few moments to look for restaurants that offer foods you usually eat. This will give you a good place to start when it comes to maintaining your regular diet.
Always Try New Things
Whether you are traveling a few hundred miles or across the country, there will always be local recipes that are unique to the area. Try a few of them! That is half the fun of traveling! You may be looking for a place to relax, but you should always plan on having a little fun in the process. Food is a comfort to many. Take advantage of it and enjoy every bite. Savor the different flavors and share your experience with others.
Carry Healthy Snacks
While you are actually on the road, carry healthy snacks. Carrots, sticks, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, cheese sticks, apples, pears, and whole grain crackers make great travel snacks. They will fit easily into a small cooler and can even be taken with you on flights. Pack each snack in individual servings and share them while you are on the road. This will eliminate the need to stop for fast food while you are trying to reach your final destination.
Eat Smaller Portions
One of the worst things you can do while you are traveling is to overeat. When you are going out to eat, cut your portions in half and take the rest with you. Eat slowly and enjoy each bite. This will give you an opportunity to start to feel full before you finish your food. You should have enough food leftover for a small snack before bedtime. If the portions are big enough, you may have enough for an additional meal. Smaller portions spread out over time will also help you maintain a healthy weight.
Drink Bottled Water
One problem many people experience when they travel is drinking water. The water in each area can contain different levels of chemicals, bacteria, and other substances that can cause diarrhea or severe stomach upset. The best way to prevent this is to drink bottled water. You can carry bottled water with you or purchase it as you go. Most areas carry different types of bottled water. While there may be several brands to choose from, most will be safe for you to drink and won’t cause adverse side effects.
Avoid Deviating from Your Usual Diet
One of the worst things you can do while traveling is to deviate from your usual diet. Changing your diet will upset your system twice. At first, it may make you uncomfortable while you are traveling. The second time will be when you get home and start to readjust to your regular diet. Make sure that at least one meal a day reflects your normal routine. This will allow you to enjoy a few new foods while still maintaining your regular diet.
Traveling is fun and exciting. Eating new foods is part of the excitement. It gives you a chance to taste new flavors and textures. Sharing a meal with family and friends will also make for good conversation. Claudette Rickett Schwartz and others know how important it is to eat healthy while you are out exploring and traveling across the country. You never know how much fun you will have trying new things!
