7 tips for healthy eating while travelling
Travelling is synonymous with indulgence, which means it’s easy to come home with a few kilos of extra baggage – and we don’t mean in your suitcase. Here are our top tips for healthy eating on the road.
1. Pack your own snacks
Travelling by plane, bus or car means long hours and limited food options. So plan ahead and take your own snacks so you don’t have to eat junk food. Great options are fruit, veggie sticks, nuts or health food bars (just keep an eye on the sugar content). Also make sure you drink plenty of water, especially when flying, which is notoriously dehydrating. You’d be surprised how often you mistake thirst for hunger.
2. Make smart menu choices
Travelling automatically means lots of restaurant meals, so make the best choice you can for your health. Studies show that starting your meal with a soup or salad will fill you up and drastically cut down on the total number of calories consumed. Look for grilled fish or chicken with plenty of vegetables on the side. And stay away from the bread basket.
3. Be careful at the buffet
It’s easy to lose your head when presented with that huge mound of food at the hotel or cruise ship buffet. Before you put anything on your plate, take a good look at what’s on offer. It’s too easy to jump into the bad stuff if you’re hungry. Go for the fresh salads, lean meat, stir fries, soups or sushi. Avoid anything in heavy, creamy sauces or the deep fried section.
4. Eat regularly
Don’t allow yourself to become starving. This is when you’re more likely to make poor food choices or over eat. Plan your day so that you have three sensible meals and some healthy snacks. That way, you won’t gulp down that service station hot dog when you’re desperate.
5. Cut back on the booze
Alcohol is essentially empty (though delicious) calories. One glass of wine contains almost 200 calories and a beer is around 100. That can add up very quickly. Try to limit your intake to one drink per day or choose low calorie options like vodka and soda.
7. Indulge sensibly
You’re on holiday, so there’s no point eating nothing but celery sticks – especially when food is one of the most enjoyable parts of a new destination. Just be sensible. Instead of indulging at every meal, choose one thing a day to splash out on. That can be delicious French toast at breakfast, an irresistible slice of pizza for lunch or creamy chocolate mousse at dessert.
Do you have problems staying healthy when you’re on holidays? If not, what tips and advice would you give for someone who does?
Please let us know in the comments below.
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