Taking a vacation away from home can be a great way to relax and
recharge, but it can also be a challenging experience for those looking
to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise routines are interrupted,
restaurant eating increases, and sleeping patterns are altered. This
often leads to weight gain, digestive upset, and a tendency to pick up
colds or viruses while away.
A great way to prevent the health pitfalls of travel is to be prepared with healthy snacks.
These snacks will help you avoid weight gain from overeating and will ensure that your body is getting the nutrients it needs to maintain healthy function.
A great way to prevent the health pitfalls of travel is to be prepared with healthy snacks.
These snacks will help you avoid weight gain from overeating and will ensure that your body is getting the nutrients it needs to maintain healthy function.
- Nuts -- Unless you are allergic or sensitive to nuts, they are a great choice to have available when travelling. They are high in protein to help maintain steady blood sugar levels between meals, and they can be eaten easily even while walking around sightseeing. Choose unsalted nuts to avoid promoting water retention during travel.
- Dried Fruit -- Dried fruits are another easy option on the road since they are so much more compact than carrying an equal volume of fresh fruit. To avoid overdoing it with the sugar, a good rule of thumb is to only eat as much fruit dried as you would fresh. For example, picture how many grapes you might eat at once and use that as a guideline for raisins.
- Banana -- A banana is a great choice to have with you on the plane or in the car for a day. They are high in fiber, which can be difficult to get if you're on the road eating a lot of fast food, and they are a good source of magnesium which is important for good digestive function.
- Seaweed Snacks -- Seaweed is one of the most nutrient-dense foods available, bursting with vitamins and trace minerals. In its dried form it is extremely light and easy to carry. Since nutritious food can be in short supply when travelling, this is a wonderful option for making sure your body is getting what it needs.
- Bottled water -- It is very common to become dehydrated while travelling, and dehydration leads to sluggish bowels, sugar cravings (which can lead to overeating), headaches, fatigue, and other undesirable effects. Drinking as much water as possible will help you avoid these issues so you can fully enjoy your time away.
- Kale chips -- Vegetables are usually not in the travel snack category because they are so perishable. Kale chips however require no refrigeration and are a great way to make sure you're still getting some good vegetable nutrition. They are also light to carry, and they come in a wide variety of tasty flavors.
- Whole grain cereal -- A high-quality whole-grain cereal will provide fiber for good digestive function during travel. For anyone who feels stressed while travelling it can be comforting to have something crunchy to snack on too.
Dawn Oulton is a Certified Health Coach who understands that there is no one perfect diet for everyone.
She specializes in helping people learn how to eat and manage stress for optimal gut function and better overall health. Visit http://www.healthfulhorizons.com to learn how she can help you reach your biggest health goals and feel great every day!
