Sticking to your diet when you’re traveling can be a real pain. The unfamiliar environment combined with quick unhealthy options on every corner often results in a lot of “cheat meals”. This however does not have to be the case, so long as you are willing to plan a little ahead of time. The nutrition travel tips in this article are meant to be general, whether you are an athlete playing in a tournament or a business professional attending a conference, these tips can be used to guide your nutrition choices when you’re away from home.
Accommodation
Where you stay can really make all the difference. Look for places that have a kitchen or at least a fridge and microwave. The reality is that if you don’t have the basics readily accessible it is unlikely you will be able to follow sound nutritional practices while traveling. The ability to store and heat meals, or better yet cook them is crucial.
We have a tendency to go with whatever is easiest. Unfortunately, nothing reflects this better than the fast food industry, where you can gain access to food in less than 10 minutes while never even leaving your car. This can be a hard proposition to ignore when you are comfortable back home, let alone in an unfamiliar city with a packed daily itinerary.
Set yourself up for success by ensuring where you stay has everything you need to stay on track. If your hotel options are limited consider going with an AirBnB or similar service.
Preparation
Don’t be unprepared! If making sound nutritional choices while you’re traveling is your goal then you must have a plan. Bring snacks and research restaurant options before going on your trip. The specific foods you bring are going to be individual but I’d recommend things like protein bars, beef jerky, and nuts. Look for snacks that provide a good amount of protein that are also relatively unprocessed.
Depending on your level of commitment you must also consider that these snacks may need to act as a meal alternative. For example, If fast food is the only option, I’d go with a protein bar and some fruit instead. Exactly how you prepare is going to be specific to you. However, if you can make some meal decisions ahead of time you will be more likely to stay on track during your trip.
Have Fun!
Nutrition doesn’t have to be all that serious, it’s meant to be a lifestyle after all. Long term success is not found in the black and white, but rather in consistently improving and making sound nutritional choices. At the end of the day if you pig out on pizza and cake your entire trip it’s not that big of a deal. Most trips are meant to be fun, so make sure they are. Don’t stress over your diet or make things hard on yourself. A few days of junk food won’t set you back much, so long as you get back to eating healthy when you arrive home.
Nutrition is kind of like school, you need to get enough things right to pass the class. You definitely don’t need a perfect score or daily attendance to graduate. With nutrition you just need to do enough things right to get results. Focus on what is sustainable and build on that over time. In either case your effort determines your success.
Summary: Nutrition Travel Tips
I hope that you found the nutrition travel tips in this article useful. Their application will ultimately depend on your desired outcome. If you’re training for a competition then you might need to stay dialed in when you’re away. However, if you’re going to Cabo for 5 days then maybe consider loosening up the belt and having some fun. Like anything in life, a little preparation goes a long way.
If you’re interested in EPOK Nutrition Coaching Click here. As always feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Talk soon,
John Evans