Sometimes it’s for work. Sometimes it’s for play. Either way, traveling can take a real toll on our bodies. It is hectic, stressful and often unpredictable. Don’t let yourself be at the mercy of the airport or the rest stop when it comes to your food and drink. Here are my top ten tips to keep you healthy- and sane- while you are traveling.
1. Stay Hydrated
Bring a refillable water bottle with you. This way, if you’re going to the airport, you can fill up after you go through security. Yes, it’s not the purest water, but if you’re in a bind, it’s certainly better than getting dehydrated while traveling.
2. Get Your Greens In
Whenever I have a long road trip, I always bring at least one green juice with me. I like Evolution Fresh Essential Greens. They are low sugar and taste pretty good (not great, but pretty good for all the greens you’re getting). Chances are you aren’t going to pass a fresh juice bar on your road trip and I always have a hard time finding salads that are actually nutritious and remotely healthy. So this gives me my greens fix on the go!
3. Pack a Protein Shake
Protein powder is so convenient when traveling You can easily store it in a shaker bottle and just add water to it whenever you get hungry.
TIP: Keep your protein powder in a ziplock bag in the shaker bottle. If you put the powder in first and then add water, it will not mix nearly as well.
4. Have Snacks on Hand
Two of my favorite snacks to take when traveling are instant oatmeal packets (I get the gluten-free ones) and nuts. Both are easy to store and aren’t temperature sensitive.
All you need to make the oatmeal is a cup of hot water and you’ve got a filling, comforting snack on the go.
5. Protein Bars
This can be tricky. You do NOT want to plan on grabbing a protein bar at the nearest gas station or in the airport. The only ones you will find there are basically glorified candy bars- if not worse! Plan ahead and get a few high quality bars to bring on your trip. I am not the biggest fan of protein bars, but in a pinch, they are a great alternative to what you’ll find when traveling any distance.
My usual choice is Quest Protein Bars. They are whey protein, low sugar, and quite tasty in my opinion. I wouldn’t typically eat them at home, but they get the job done while I’m out and about.
6. Have a Back-Up Plan
Especially if you are traveling via several modes of transportation. You are bound to hit traffic or miss a train or something. It’s just the nature of travel. Knowing your alternatives ahead of time will save you the scrambling and panicking that really wares down our bodies.
7. Don’t Forget To Breathe
Every now and then, you just need to stop and breathe. For me, I’ll just stop my car in the middle of a long trip, roll the windows down so the air flows around me, close my eyes and take in some slow, deep breaths. It’s amazing how grounding and rejuvenating such a simple thing can be.
8. Support Your Immune System
Whether you are driving, flying or taking a train, travel is hard on the body. Your sleep schedule is messed up, you’re likely not eating as well as you typically do, and you are exposed to so many people (and all their germs). This is a recipe for disaster if you do not support your immune system before and during travel. I always take Immunitone Plus the day before and during travel.
9. Go With The Flow
This is the hardest thing for me. I like routine and structure and thrive in that environment. Travel is inevitably the exact opposite. But, I do my best to just roll with the punches. I prepare the best I can and know to expect the unexpected.
10. Stop And Smell The Roses
It’s not all about getting from Point A to Point B. There is a lot of beautiful, worthwhile stuff in between there. Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that you miss everything around you. Try googling at least one pit stop you can take on your journey from A to B. You’d be surprised at some of the random places you’ll find.
Traveling can be hard on our bodies. It throws us off our routines, messes up our sleep schedules and just runs us down. By knowing what you need to do and bring to keep you healthy and sane while traveling, you will be able to get through the chaos that is travel unscathed.
5 Comments
I never travel without my snacks- protein bars, oatmeal and some kind of trail mix.
Same goes for me. I usually bring a piece of fruit for the plane or a shaker bottle with protein that I can just add water to. Can’t leave yourself at the mercy of the airport snack stands!
Traveling is my biggest weakness! I eat healthy at home, but as soon as I’m on the road I find myself eating fastfood and candy bars. Next trip I’m using this advice!
That’s great, Emily! It’s so much easier to stay on track when you plan ahead. Let me know how your next trip goes!
Great tips, thanks!