Keeping Your Nutrition On Track While Traveling
If you travel often for work (or play), you’re probably familiar with the challenges that come along with trying to maintain a sense of routine and compliance with your nutrition. Whether you follow a specific plan or not, traveling can make it difficult to eat how you normally would, on your usual schedule, and if you travel for work, you might even notice you drink more frequently due to work functions.
Here’s a few easy tips to help you stay on track while traveling, without stressing out or being able to enjoy your trip:
Location matters. Nowadays, many cities have healthy options for food, whether it’s a restaurant or grocery store. But if you find yourself miles from the best option, you’re far less likely to make the trek for those foods. When possible, set yourself up for success by choosing a hotel that is near good options based on your needs. Being near a grocery store, healthy dining options, and a gym will give you the best potential for staying on track throughout your trip, rather than going for less ideal options that are way more convenient. Convenience is everything, so do yourself a favor before you even arrive.
Splurge on a room with a fridge and/or kitchenette. This isn’t always available, but having a fridge alone in your room can be a game changer. It means you can bring back fresh produce to your room for storage, and that you’ll likely only need to make one run to the grocery store for your trip. Having a kitchenette is even better, though harder to come by. Having a kitchen on-site means that you can cook some of your own meals, which will not only save you time in the long run but make it easier to grab and go so you can enjoy the other parts of your trip.
Get ahold on menus in advance. If you know you’re planning on having a company dinner with co-workers or if you’re going to a restaurant you’ve been dying to try out, take a peek at the menu beforehand. Looking at the menu and choosing a few good options will help you make a positive choice along your nutrition guidelines that choosing one spur on the moment when you’re hungry (and when everything looks absolutely delectable). Don’t limit yourself to just one option though. Give yourself a few options so that you have some variety to choose from on the day-of in case you’re really not feeling something. You can also plan out your substitutions if you have any - it’s really easy to substitute fresh veggies for potatoes/bread in most restaurants and they don’t mind at all.
Don’t forget about your protein. For many people, getting enough protein can be one of the toughest thins to keep consistent. It gets even harder while traveling when you’re enjoying yourself, and typically more carbohydrates. Focus on getting some protein at every meal. If you don’t think this will be possible - let’s say you know your mornings will be rushed - bring some dry protein powder with you. It’s absolutely okay to travel with dry protein powder, then you’ll just need to add water when you’re ready to have it.
Bring powdered vegetables. Veggies can be the second hardest thing to get while traveling, especially if you’re on to go often. While fresh vegetables are always going to be your best option, powdered veggies can provide the same flexibility with a hectic schedule to provide plenty of vitamins and nutrients.
Take snacks with you. We’ve all been there - you’re starving and you’ll eat the first thing you come across, which isn’t always the best option available. Bring snacks to keep you from reaching that hungry point so that you can make a logical decision with your goals in mind.
Consider a cooler if needed. This is more of a hardcore option, but having a cooler with you can be a great option if it makes sense. Just like having a fridge in your hotel, a cooler can make it easier to keep fresh food and produce refrigerated and always on hand. This makes more sense for camping, road trips, and for anyone on a strict plan to meet their goals, such as athletic competitors.
What are some of your favorite foods and hacks for traveling and keeping your nutrition at the forefront of your mind?
Deidre founded Always Growing Nutrition in 2015 with an enthusiasm for health, fitness, and understanding how to optimize the human body. She approaches nutrition from the perspective that each body is unique and this is key to creating nutrition programs that are sustainable for each person to maintain long-term, but also programs that work.
Her passions lie in digestive and hormone health, and she loves working with clients who struggle with balancing these complex systems. She believes that everyone deserves personalized nutrition, to understand how their body works, and to have the support to get answers about their health. She has worked with hundreds of clients to create a body they love with food they love.
When she's not working with clients, you'll find her enjoying everything Colorado has to offer from hiking to camping to craft beers.