6 tips for eating well while you travel

WORDS: PHOTOGRAPHY

A big part of travelling for most people is the adventure and exploration. But as exciting as the unknown is, when it comes to food it usually means not knowing when or where your next meal is coming from…

 

 

For the majority of people this usually means satisfying those familiar hunger pangs with whatever’s in close proximity – and, let’s face it, that’s almost never high quality, fresh food. I think it’s safe to say that we all want to avoid becoming unwell and making an unexpected trip to the hospital, incurring huge medical expenses in the process. The average cost of a weekly stay in a US intensive care unit, for example, is $140,000!

 

 

 

So, we want to debunk the myth that eating well while you travel is impossible – and offer up six tips for you to keep your holiday eating on track.

 

1. Get savvy: Prepare your own food for the journey

 

Because plane food is typically heavily processed with a high salt and sugar content, it’s always a good idea to pack homemade fresh food with you as a substitute. You’ll be able to digest your own food better, and will be more likely to feel better for it post-flight. Just beware of giving your fellow flyers a case of the green-eyed monster!

 

2. Pack healthy snacks

 

Instead of spoiling your meal times by snacking on tourist foods, pack some healthy snacks with you from home. Nuts, dried fruit and energy bars are all sufficiently high in protein to give you a boost of energy and are easy to pack. If you’re not keen on travelling with food, find a supermarket on arrival to pick up some healthy snacking options instead.

 

3. Breakfast, breakfast, breakfast!

 

There’s a reason we hear it time and time again – breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Whatever time your flight or early start is, make sure you have a nutritious, filling breakfast to kick-start your day and get your metabolism going. The healthier and more nutritious the meal, the better start to the day you’ll have and the longer your energy will last.

 

4. Stay hydrated – take a reusable water bottle

 

Flights, long journeys, crossing time zones and switching climates are all a recipe for dehydration. Having a bottle of water with you at all times to prevent dehydration can make a world of difference to how you feel while travelling and post-flight. What’s more, if you have an eco-friendly bottle you can refill it in almost any location to keep you hydrated, and you’ll be helping to save the planet at the same time. Bonus!

 

5. Find places to eat ahead of time

 

Being hungry isn’t fun at the best of times, but when you’re in an unknown place with no food in sight it can all get a bit much. Researching what restaurants the area has to offer before you travel can provide you with an idea of what to expect, and save you time that would otherwise be spent aimlessly wandering the streets when you get there.

 

6. Go self-catering

 

A fail-safe way to ensure your diet doesn’t slip up while you’re abroad is to opt for self-catering accommodation. Having your own kitchen and utensils to make a meal allows you more control over what you’re able to eat. You might not want to eat in every night, but it can allow you to start the day with a healthy homemade breakfast and also snack on fresh fruit and veg throughout the day.