Adapting a healthy lifestyle and sticking to it can be tricky when a traveling event pops up. Whether it’s a vacation, family reunion or business trip, it doesn’t take much to get thrown off track. The comfort of having a selection of clean foods within reach disappears for the most part while on the road. It can be frustrating and also tempting to go off track, even for a few days. For some, those few days can turn into weeks and even months. Fortunately, getting derailed off of your clean eating schedule can be avoided. With proper planning, temptation and frustration will take the back seat to your healthy travels. Here is a list of fail proof planning that will help you stay clean during any type of traveling. I’m adding some tips on how to not miss a workout on the road as well!
Use a cooler/lunch bag– Invest in a bag/cooler that will hold all of your food, drinks and supplements. Make sure it is insulated and has ice packs that stay cool for 8 hour or longer. This will keep any lean meat protein such as tuna, chicken and eggs from going bad. Also, having your food all in one place is less stressful then having to go and search for it. This will help you stay on track and keep your energy levels high as well as keeping you eating on your normal schedule. If you are unable to keep protein cold, opt for vacuumed tuna in pouch and smoked lean proteins instead.
Food Prep– Plan all your meals before traveling by labeling the bags or containers you will use with “Meal 1, Meal 2” and so on… Prepare clean foods that can be stored in plastic baggies so you always have a clean meal/snack available whether you have your lunch bag or not. Foods that don’t have to be reheated are best. Example of these foods is nuts, veggies, protein powder and fruit. These foods can go in your purse, gym bag or brief case.
Call the Hotel– If you are staying at a hotel, call and ask for a room with a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. This way you can store the food you packed in the fridge with no fear of it going bad, and you can also cook foods in the microwave like oats or sweet potato.
Local Food– when staying at a location for more than a day or two, research local farmers markets and health food stores where you can have the availability to eat clean.
Online Menus– If a work meeting calls for going out to eat and it isn’t your time to indulge, look online at the restaurants “nutritional menu” and choose beforehand what you will get. You will be surprised how many salads and so called “healthy” foods are loaded with calories.
Gym Clothes– Pack your workout gear and use your body weight to work out if there isn’t a gym at the hotel or nearby. Moves like, pushups, sit ups, planks, crunches, plyometric squats, walking lunges and more can be done right in your hotel room. You can also call the hotel and ask if they have any rooms that host treadmills. Depending on the hotel, there are fit rooms that have treadmills, bands, small free weights and a health food bar.
With a few small changes and prep work, all of your travels will be successful and on track. Preparation is key.
Fail to prepare or prepare to fail.
***Best clean foods to pack while traveling***
Vacuumed packed tuna pouches
Smoked lean protein like chicken
Nuts & Seeds
Veggies & Fruits
Oats
Protein powder
Rice Cakes with butters like almond or coconut
