Some people claim that it is extremely difficult to eat healthy while traveling. Earth Fare completely disagrees.
Regardless of the number of fast food restaurants on the road, or in the airport, healthy eating while traveling IS possible! Here’s how:
- Eat Healthy BEFORE travels. Filling up on a good, hearty meal filled with whole grains, fruits, vegetables and proteins before traveling will help stabilize your appetite. If you are not ravenous when you hit the road or get to the airport, that sticky bun’s sweet woos won’t have much success.
- Hydrate! Make sure you drink enough water while traveling. A lot of times, people mistake thirst for hunger. Carrying water has become difficult especially at airports, but as soon as you get through security, make sure to get some water and drink up!
- Pack your own food! This isn’t always possible (depending on your reason for travel), but with a little planning, bringing your own food ensures you won’t eat fast food or airplane food. Pack some fruits, unsalted nuts, or a sandwich with lean meats/vegetables in your carry-on or in a cooler for the car. If you’re traveling for business, stop by a local grocery store and pack some healthier options before you hit the airport.
- Healthy Snacks. Pack some baby carrots, other cut vegetables, and fruits in your carry-on or car.
- Find a Grocery Store on the Road. Finding healthier options may be worth a slight detour. When stopping for gas, do so off the highway and stop into a grocery store to find some fresher, healthier options.
- Think fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Whenever making food choices, fill up on these food items before anything else. The protein and fiber will keep you fuller longer.
Watch out for those pastries at a hotel continental breakfast bar
If all the above is not possible, follow the tips below to avoid pitfalls.
At the Continental Breakfast Bar:
- DO EAT: fresh fruit, whole grain cereal with low-fat milk, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs.
- AVOID: the sugary muffins, breakfast pastries, sugary cereals
At the Rest Stop:
- Single-serving cereal cups. Who said cereal was just for breakfast? When you’re in a bind, choosing a whole-grain single-serving cereal cup with low-fat milk is a good choice.
- Protein Bars. Watch the sugar levels, but this is much better than a chocolate bar!
- Nuts. Try to find packages of unsalted nuts. The good fats, protein and fiber will keep you fuller longer.
Take it from someone who knows…this is no simple task!
Plan ahead…especially if you have children.
When traveling by car there are no options at rest areas or interstate exits…if you have time…research LOCAL restaurants and grocery purveyors ahead of time so you can plan a stop for food.
tricia baehr
April 12th, 2010 at 9:08 ampermalink
there are sometimes some great downtown fruit and vegetable stands. There’s one in Chicago just a block from Millennium Park – great place to get quality food for a picnic.
Janice
April 12th, 2010 at 9:16 ampermalink
I pack a small cooler for the drive, filled with yogurt, fruit, low-fat cottage cheese, and other such things. When I arrive at my destination, I almost immediately go to the grocery store to stock up on my standard items. My host(ess) is generally happy to accommodate a few added groceries in the fridge, and I try to choose hotels with refrigerators in the room. Because I travel the same routes frequently, I also keep a list of good restaurants (those with healthy options) on my phone, along with the exit number and the town. Most large-scale chains have good salad options topped with grilled meat or fish. As much as I hate to patronize them, it’s not always possible to find a locally owned option.
Katie Burrus
April 13th, 2010 at 7:39 ampermalink
Before we left for out 1400 mile road trip, I was concerned about eating out and finding gluten free food. I packed fruit and vegtables and Gf cookies and snacks for the road but we did eat out. I also packed GF cereal for breakfast just in case.
Chili’s has a gluten free menu, you have to ask for it but it is worth it. Reasonably priced and very good.
Wendy’s offers a good baked potatoe and cesear salad, leave off the croutons!
Hotel continental breakfast offers fruits, yogurt and eggs.
It was not as hard as I thought it was going to be.
L. Davis
April 15th, 2010 at 11:42 ampermalink
there are sometimes some great downtown fruit and vegetable stands. There’s one in Chicago just a block from Millennium Park – great place to get quality food for a picnic.
Alan
April 25th, 2010 at 1:29 pmpermalink
Take it from someone who knows…this is no simple task!
Plan ahead…especially if you have children.
When traveling by car there are no options at rest areas or interstate exits…if you have time…research LOCAL restaurants and grocery purveyors ahead of time so you can plan a stop for food.
Christopher
April 27th, 2010 at 10:22 ampermalink
Take it from someone who knows…this is no simple task!
Plan ahead…especially if you have children.
When traveling by car there are no options at rest areas or interstate exits…if you have time…research LOCAL restaurants and grocery purveyors ahead of time so you can plan a stop for food.
Joseph
April 27th, 2010 at 11:50 ampermalink
I pack a small cooler for the drive, filled with yogurt, fruit, low-fat cottage cheese, and other such things. When I arrive at my destination, I almost immediately go to the grocery store to stock up on my standard items. My host(ess) is generally happy to accommodate a few added groceries in the fridge, and I try to choose hotels with refrigerators in the room. Because I travel the same routes frequently, I also keep a list of good restaurants (those with healthy options) on my phone, along with the exit number and the town. Most large-scale chains have good salad options topped with grilled meat or fish. As much as I hate to patronize them, it’s not always possible to find a locally owned option.
Simon
April 28th, 2010 at 2:20 ampermalink
What a great resource!
pharmacy tech
May 13th, 2010 at 12:57 ampermalink
those tips are really helpful. i am thinking that the tendency if you don’t pack your own food, you might end up buying foods that are unhealthy for you. at least if you are the one who will prepare the food to eat, you may manage to choose those that are nutritious.
bariatric surgery
Nicole
May 16th, 2010 at 2:54 pmpermalink