Vacation season is just around the corner, but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon your healthy eating habits while traveling. With a little planning and prep work, you can keep your nutrition on track and still have fun.
Traveling is enjoyable for most people, but finding healthy food options can be tricky, especially on road trips. Fast food is everywhere, making it easy to end up with a car full of paper bags and wrappers. Consider these healthier alternatives to avoid the fast food trap on your next trip.
One of the best ways to eat healthy on a road trip is by packing a cooler. This allows you to bring a variety of healthy snacks. You can prep vegetables and pair them with homemade dips or hummus, or pack fruits like apples, pears, oranges, or clementines. These snacks will stay fresh in a cooler, offering a much better choice than drive-thru fries.
Dried fruit is another excellent snack for traveling since it doesn’t need refrigeration and can satisfy a sweet tooth without the extra sugar found in candy. Just be sure to check the ingredients to avoid added sugars.
Avoid making fast food stops a habit on your travels. Do some research beforehand and plan a route that includes restaurants offering fresh, locally sourced meals. These places tend to provide healthier and more balanced options and support the local community by sourcing from local farmers. When dining out, consider getting a side of veggies with your meal instead of fries or bread.
If your trip involves staying at hotels, choose ones with a mini-fridge to keep your snacks fresh. Also, check out the hotel breakfast options as they may offer healthy choices, sometimes free of charge.
Ditch the single-use cups and stick to water by bringing a reusable water bottle, which you can refill at rest stops or restaurants. Having your own eating utensils like knives, forks, and spoons will also make it easier to enjoy your packed snacks.
Airport food can be both pricey and unhealthy, so bringing your own food can help you save money and maintain your diet. While some items are restricted, many foods like sandwiches, sliced fruits, veggies, and hard-boiled eggs can pass through security without issues, giving you healthier options on your flight.
Before you travel, pre-measure your snacks to keep portions in check. It’s easy to mindlessly eat an entire bag of chips, but having single-serving bags of homemade trail mix, pretzels, crackers, nuts, or even chips can help you manage your intake.
Eating healthy on the road takes a bit of effort and planning, but it’s entirely doable. Commit to preparing ahead of time, and your body will thank you later. No more greasy fast food stops—just nutritious snacks keeping you energized along the way.
