8 great tips to avoid eating problems when you travel

One of the best parts of traveling is trying and savoring all kinds of new and delicious foods, whether you’re driving across the state or flying across the globe. And it sure is fun to let loose a bit and eat things you wouldn’t normally eat for a week at home, that’s part of the freedom and excitement of being on vacation!

But we all know the feeling when we’ve had too much for too many days in a row: the complete lack of energy, bloating, dehydration, headaches or hangovers, severe jet lag, increased susceptibility to getting sick. All of these things can really get in the way of maximizing your trip enjoyment. And if you’re someone with food restrictions, you know the added frustration of trying to find good foods that are also good for you!

The good news is that it’s easier than ever to choose the kinds of foods that will keep you healthy and energized while you’re away from your usual routine. Here are some simple ways to eat well while enjoying the highlights of your trip:

1. Plan ahead. Often when we travel, we get out of our routine and don’t eat at regular intervals. Sometimes we can go several hours without eating anything.

   Contrary to the popular myth that you should abstain from eating to “save room” for a big meal, going long periods without eating actually slows your metabolism and makes your body sluggish and tired and hang on to calories. Our bodies experience these periods as “mini-famines” and send our brains into panic mode. To keep your blood sugar stable and avoid energy lapses (which can then lead to overcompensation with high-sugar or fried foods), try to eat a little every two hours while you’re in transit and while you’re out of town. home, in the form of nutrient-dense foods rich in lean protein. Pack easily accessible snacks: nuts, seeds, hard-boiled eggs, firm fruits (like apples), vegetables and hummus, or natural fruit and nut bars.

   If you know where you are staying, search for restaurants in the area of ​​your hotel. Check with your hotel or resort to review the menus and see what is available. Once you arrive, you can use an app like AroundMe to locate healthier restaurants in your area. And check out these smartphone apps that can help you find options free of gluten and other allergens on the go.

2. Don’t forget the grocery store! A supermarket, and especially a local cooperative, can be your best ally while traveling. You’ll have easy, affordable access to fresh produce and healthy snacks in bulk. You’ll find a wider variety of great foods free of gluten, dairy, and other common allergens at a reasonable cost. Plus, many co-ops also have a deli where you can get delicious sandwiches, salads, or burritos to take out throughout the day.
3. Your mother was right: get your vegetables and take your vitamins. While traveling, her immune system is exposed to tons of new pathogens, especially on airplanes and other public transportation. She wants to make sure her body has what it needs to stay healthy and fight germs and process toxins. Don’t forget to pack your multivitamin and other supplements! If you can’t get access to fresh greens, consider buying some powdered greens that you can take with you and mix easily into a glass of water or morning smoothie.
4. Speaking of morning smoothies… if you’re really dedicated to getting your daily intake of fruits and vegetables, you might even consider taking a travel blender. This may seem extreme to some, but consider this: Most of them are under $20, fit easily in a suitcase or the back of the car, and may be just what you need to quickly whip up a power breakfast of fruits, nuts, and more. and vegetables that will keep you going all morning.
5. Drink a lot more water than you normally do. Airplanes and hotel rooms are notoriously dry. Walking all day wastes energy and dehydrates. Often people drink alcohol or soft drinks with meals, which also dehydrates. Drinking more than the usual 8 glasses of water a day will keep you energized, hydrate your cells, keep your skin glowing, and help flush out toxins.
6. Drink less alcohol than everyone around you does. This can be challenging, especially on business trips where drinking is a family pastime. But in addition to worsening dehydration and jet lag, drinking more than two drinks leads to unhealthy eating. (A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that men take in an average of 433 extra calories from alcohol and food when they consume more than two drinks!)
7. Try to rest your eight hours of beauty. Easier said than done, I know! But getting decent rest helps stabilize your metabolism, resets your adrenal system, and boosts your immunity. Being sufficiently rested will make any other choice you face on your vacation much easier.
8. Try the “one and done” rule. Allow yourself to have treats and enjoy them, just keep it to once a day. Get that beautiful piece of chocolate cake. Ask for an extra helping of fried steak. Order what is happily drizzled with butter and enjoy every bite. And then, finish with the less-than-healthy meal for that day. There is always more.

However you decide to plan your meals on your trip, we’d love to help you get there! As your travel agency, we can offer advice on transportation, accommodation, entertainment and much more.