Tips For Staying Healthy While Travelling
I think when we head away we automatically go into holiday mode ,not only in our mind but also in our attitude towards what we eat. I know I was guilty of wanting to try every single pastry when I was in Paris and wanting to have pizza every day when I was in New York but what I quickly realised a few years ago was how much better I felt if I tried to eat as healthy as possible most of the time.
My food philosophy is all about eating as healthy as possible 80% of the time and allowing myself to indulge the other 20%. I believe that if you are too strict on yourself, in the end you will end up binging and eating everything that you have been denying yourself. This has happened to me on multiple occasions and the aftermath is not fun!!!!
Holidays are a chance for you to relax, explore, have fun and indulge however here are my tips to help you stay on track so you don’t come home having had a complete BLOWOUT…
1. Pack your own plane food
To put it simply, plane food is disgusting!!! For starters the meals are cooked, frozen and then reheated on the plane. They are super high in calories and sodium to make them tasty and filling. They are full of preservatives, additives and other nasties which you really don’t want to be putting into your bodies.
Depending on how long the flight is I generally like to pack the following.
- A salad such as my Roast Vegetable Salad
- Veggie sticks with hummus
- A few pieces of fruit such as a banana and some berries
- Cut up cheddar cheese
- A can of Tuna
- A few bliss ball such as my Cacao Goji Balls
- Hard-boiled eggs
- A mixture of raw nuts and goji berries
You may be wondering how to plan for the return trip home or any flights while you are away. If in the USA I always find a Wholefoods and make up a nice big salad from their salad bar or I go to a supermarket, buy a bag of green leaves such as spinach, a can of tuna, an avocado and some cherry tomatoes. These ingredients make a nice quick and easy salad while on the plane.
2. Research your destination before you arrive and find out if there are any farmers markets nearby or where the closest supermarket is.
Once I have settled into my hotel l like to stock up on things like fresh fruit, water, carrots and nuts. If possible if always try and book a hotel that has a fridge in the room.
This way you will have lots of snacks to keep you going throughout the day when you are exploring.
I also recommend trying to find juice bars, health food shops and other restaurants close by which serve healthy meals.
3. Start every day with a healthy breakfast
Although the thought of a buttery croissant in Paris is hard to resist I always follow my rule of starting each day with a healthy breakfast. If you’re staying in a hotel that provides a buffet breakfast then get yourself an omelette made with lots of fillings such as tomato, spinach, mushrooms etc. Eating a protein rich breakfast will give you the energy to get through the day without any sugar slumps and will keep you feeling nice and full.
4. Get your daily dose of exercise
Not only is a morning walk or run a great way to get to know your way around a new city it will also help your body adjust if you are suffering from the effects of jet lag.
Avoid taxi’s and public transport as much as possible and walk everywhere.
Check out if your destination has a bike share program. Many large cities have them and riding is such a fantastic and quick way to get around.
If you’re feeling like a good solid workout then do some research and see if there are any gym’s or pilates studios close by. I find that most places will offer a casual pass price or even an introductory offer which lets you go as much as you like for a week or two.
5. Try and get 7-8 hours of sleep per night
This isn’t always possible as exploring a new city is fun and if you’re in a place like New York you can easily get caught up in the exciting night life. If you’re having a late night then make sure you allow for a nice sleep in the next morning. Ensure that your holiday schedule has lots of downtime planned to help you come home feeling relaxed and rested.
6. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere
Make sure that you are drinking 2 litres of water a day (or more if you’re in a hot city). The plane trip will dehydrate you so it is important that you replenish your body and keep it hydrated.
7. Choose healthier options when out for dinner
- Japanese is always a great option when dining out while on holidays. Choose options like sushi, sashimi, ramen or miso soup which as light and healthy.
- Simple and something we all know deep down but try and avoid the bread rolls at restaurants.
- I find that when you dine out, so often you meal will come with such a small portion of (if any) vegetables so try and order a side salad or some steamed vegetables.
- Always ask for sauces and dressing to be served on the side. This way you can add as little or as much as you need too.
- If you’ve indulged during the day then skip dessert that night.
8. Fill your handbag with snacks
When you find yourself somewhere without any healthy food options such as a train station it can be very hard not to take yourself to the nearest food fast outlet and fill up on a burger and chips… Make sure that you always have some snacks packed for these times. Always carry a bag of nuts and seeds and a piece of fruit to keep you going until you can find something more suitable.
Sometimes you have no choice and just have to eat what’s available so don’t beat yourself up, eat it and move on. Tomorrow is a new day and there is no use in worrying about what you shouldn’t have eaten. Remember that you are on holidays and you are allowed to indulge!!
Enjoy your holiday
xx