My family traveled for several years with my husband’s job. I have to admit, in the beginning it was fun to eat at restaurants and fast food joints that were unfamiliar to us, disregarding the amount of fat, carbohydrates and calories we were consuming. It wasn’t fun to realize that I’d outgrown some of my clothes in the process.
Since then, I’ve learned that eating healthy and maintaining my weight while traveling doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does require that I’m intentional about what, where, and when I eat.
Today I’ll be sharing 5 tips to eating healthy on the road so you can still fit in your clothes when your vacation is over.
1. Pack snacks from home.
Every time we hit the road, I pack a small cooler with a variety of fruit and vegetables stored inside. Apples, oranges, bananas and grapes are perfect when we’re craving something sweet and they pack less calories than the gas station candy bars that we often picked up in the past.
I also slice up colored peppers, carrots and cucumbers and store in serving size baggies and containers for in-between meals. To add protein, I’ll pack some peanut butter to eat with celery sticks.
2. Skip fast food restaurants and convenience stores and shop in a grocery store instead.
With the new “super stores” cropping up near many interstates, we can easily run in and out of the grocery store almost as quickly as we could drive through some fast food lines. Not only does it allow us to stretch our legs, it also provides healthier meal and snack options.
Low sodium, lean lunch meat for sandwiches on whole grain bread, pre-packaged salads full of vegetables with low-fat salad dressing, and carefully selected deli items pack less calories than many fast food and convenience food selections.
3. It’s all about portion sizes.
Do you know what a true portion looks like? It’s not the over-sized plate full of food you get when you order at most restaurants. Ask for a to-go box when your meal arrives and divide your meal by half. Not only will you consume less calories, you’ll also save money by having something to eat next time you’re hungry.
4. Forget about getting your “moneys” worth.
Buffets are great for variety, but they are also notorious for overeating. Snap out of the mindset that you need to eat until you bust to get your moneys worth, and if you choose to stop at a buffet, eat moderately.
5. Water is your friend.
Not only will drinking water at a restaurant save you money, it will also give you a feeling of fullness, help you digest your food, and keep you hydrated while traveling.
What tips can you offer for eating healthy on the road?
Thanks for sharing your tips. I also Pack food and drinks in a cooler. We take reusable bottles and a gallon of water. I do occasionally allow the girls to buy those flavoring powders for a little variety. We’ve also had our fair share of fast food, but the results are well with it when I take the time and plan instead.
I was just looking at the drink powders at the store this weekend. I love to drink water- and often, that’s all I drink- but on ocassion I need a bit of variety too.
I’ve also been making some cold tea before traveling which I pour into reusable bottles and that helps me with variety. My kids won’t drink it, but I love it.
Nice suggestions, Tonya! I really like the idea of packing my own snacks while traveling, but somehow I end up feeling bored of the food I take, especially if it’s fruit
So before we go, my husband and I will pick up some (healthy) snacks that are completely different from what we usually eat at home, which helps with the boredom factor.