How to eat healthy while travelling

Health is often the last thing on your mind when you travelling. Maybe you’re on a business trip and will only be gone a few days. Maybe it’s your first family holiday in years. Maybe it’s a weekend getaway to celebrate an anniversary. Regardless of the reason, when you are on the road, health issues are often neglected, and it’s understandable. No one wants to think about restrictions when they are finally in a place where they can let go of everything else. But, to stay on track with your goals and for general nutrition and health, it’s important to take some time before you leave to review tips and tricks to stay healthy.

Bring snacks with you

The easiest way be positive that there will be healthy snacking options available to you during your travels is to bring them with you. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re consuming, where it came from and perhaps most importantly, you’ll stay within your budget to stay healthy. Airports and convenience stores aren’t well-known for their healthy options or low prices, so bringing your own healthy snacks lowers the chances that you’ll have to shell out a lot of money for the snack that will do your body the most good.

If you need ideas about what to bring, look online for travelling experts takes and check out their favorite brands for a small-scale experiment. You may find your new favorite snack among their lists. Granola bars are always a solid snack choice because they pack a lot of energy and stomach-filling power into small, relatively clean packages. Another go-to choice is fruit. Try to avoid fragile fruits like strawberries, grapes and instead aim for those with thicker skins, like oranges that will protect themselves through all the jostling and movement of travelling.

What to avoid

There are a few things to avoid when packing your own snacks for travelling. The first is an expiration date. Even if you love Greek yogurt and it’s what powers your through the day, be aware of the time it won’t be in the fridge—will you still want to (or be able to) chow down on it when you get hungry in transit? Chances aren’t high.

Also, try to avoid foods that require utensils to eat. The last thing you want to do while confined in a tight space like an airplane or train seat is to cut, spread and put together a meal with plastic utensils, or nothing, if you can’t get your hands on any. No utensil food, like a bagel or protein bar, takes the hassle out of snacking, keeps your space cleaner, and keeps your neighbors happier.

Have water on hand

One thing many people forget when they travel is staying hydrated. As you crane your neck to see every feature, every building, every new thing in sight, stopping to sip some good old H20 isn’t always at the top of your list. To stay energized, stay alert and keep going, be sure to have water with you at all times. If possible, bring a reusable water bottle so you don’t have to pay exorbitant fees for the plastic water bottles. Many airlines will now refill a reusable water bottle on the plane so you can stay hydrated en route to your destination.

Food is an important part of your travel experience, and if you want to return home without added holiday weight, think ahead and plan your snacks. Be smart, be proactive and be sure to buy an Options travel insurance plan from Cover-More New Zealand. With the options plan in your back pocket, you’ll have every part of your trip covered so you can focus on staying healthy and active.