5 Ways to Stay Healthy When Traveling
My calendar is packed with flights, road trips and impromptu vacations so what better timing to talk about healthy travels than now! And I am not the only one! So many of you have been either struggling about finding ways to stay consistent and on track while vacationing or embarking uncharted territory when it comes to staying healthy while traveling.
The thing is, healthy traveling doesn’t have to become this huge, all encompassing event. It’s about doing the things that make you feel your best and balanced eating and movement is part of enjoying yourself. All you have to do is find organic ways where these actions will be displayed into your travel schedule.
To make this simple and doable, I’m sharing my favorite tricks and tips for staying healthy when traveling or on vacation. Also, remember that having a few days “off” or even the entire vacation doesn’t break the healthy habits that you have already established in your life. This is just to show you that you can still have fun while making healthy choices on vacation.
1 | Moving that bod!
Some of my most favorite travel experiences are when I stumbled upon a beautiful view, hole in the wall restaurant, or photogenic spot - and that is simply by traveling by foot. Whether you are vacationing in a remote location or you will have a dedicated day in one location, find ways where you can walk to these locations instead of taking an uber, train, or cab.
2 | Plan an outdoor excursion
Plan out outdoor excursions! For the most part, if you are on vacation, your destination will encompass some sort of outdoor excursion. And this can range from an overnight hike to renting bicycles for half a day.This is also a great bonding opportunity with your family and friends on the trip. Depending on your comfort level, you can usually find things that will appeal to you and your party.
3 | Snack Stock
It’s so easy to go for that greasy slice of pizza in New York or a scoop or 3 of ice cream at the tourist Ben & Jerry locations. Trust me. Been there, done that, and got the ice cream melt on my t-shirt. So what I have found is that if I have at least 1-3 snack options in my bag or pack prepped meals ahead of time so that I know something healthy is close by when I get back to my hotel, I am less prone to these fast food traps. Snacks can be as easy as picking up fruits, raw nuts, and jerky at a local grocery store or gas station close by. You can check out my favorite healthy travel snacks and meals in this post.
4 | Hydrate
Whether you are vacationing during the summer or winter months, staying hydrated is key to feeling our best! Ways that I make sure to stay hydrated is by bringing an empty water bottle with me. You can fill your water bottle after TSA checkpoints before you board your flight and refill it when you arrive at your hotel or Airbnb. It’s also great to carry it with you when you're traveling on foot or walking for most of your day.
5 | Make Food an experience
A lesson learned when traveling to Italy is that food is an immersive experience! It deserves time, appreciation and enjoyment shared with family and friends. So even if you are enjoying wine, pasta, and desserts, you’re bonding over traditional foods and exploring other cultures of food with friends and family. But more-so, you are taking the time to do it. In our fast paced culture, we are constantly eating on the go, which creates digestion disruption. But if you are eating in a parasympathetic state (rest and digest), relaxing and enjoying the food and company around you, you're more apt to digest food properly. Bonus, if you are sharing several dishes with your table, then you are more likely to apply moderation and balance tools to your meals!
If you would like to know more about mindful eating, how to eat in a rest and digest state or would like to learn how to enjoy food again, check out the Nourishment Program for more info!
