I live to travel and eat clean. Can the two coexist? Absolutely. After years of backpacking and teaching around the globe I’ve compiled a few of my top tips for eating healthy, raw and vegan on the road (or in the air!).
1.) Plan Ahead: If you know where your adventure will take you do as much research up front as possible. Search online platforms like Happycow.net, Tripadvisor.com, or tried and true google for restaurants, health food stores, farmers markets, and even farms.
When I toured Europe last May through London, Barcelona, Berlin and Amsterdam it was a breeze to find raw, vegan, and vegetarian restaurants. Or health food stores, where I could buy produce and create my own meal. In my Fit and Raw Travel Series I outlined how Barcelona had fabulous world renowned farmers markets packed to the rafters with fruit from all over the EU, while London and Amsterdam offered several gourmet raw restaurants and cafes.
I also made a point to connect with the raw food communities in each city through meetup.com. I emailed members a few days out to ask questions and plan a meeting. The locals have the best advice, plus it never hurts to have more like minded friends who will support you on your health journey!
2.) Pack Your Own and Don’t Forget Superfoods: Head to the bulk section of your grocery store and create your own trail mix, toss in some nori sheets, pack a cooler full of fruits and veggies, saurkraut, hummus, avocados and nut butters. Greens are probably the most challenging item to keep fresh and find in far off places, so carrying a green powder like Health Force Nutritionals Vitamineral Green fills the void. If only we could all travel with a GE fridge, and celebrity chef like the guys of Freshpedition.com!
I always have a few pieces of fruit (apple, orange, banana), chia seeds and Vitamineral green in my carry on. When all else fails you can make chia seed pudding with water in an airline cup.
3.) Strap On Your Tool Belt: Whether you are backpacking through Australia or road tripping across Central America there are a few key tools that make healthy eating on the go easy.
– Swiss Army knife or kitchen knife with blade cover
– Magic bullet/Nutri Bullet- mini blender for green smoothies.
– Foldable cutting board
– Vegetable Peeler- to cut off skins of conventional produce.
– Water Filters- buy the drop in charcoal filters for your reusable bottle.
– Swiss Army knife or kitchen knife with blade cover
– Magic bullet/Nutri Bullet- mini blender for green smoothies.
– Foldable cutting board
– Vegetable Peeler- to cut off skins of conventional produce.
– Water Filters- buy the drop in charcoal filters for your reusable bottle.
4.) Avoid Junk Food Hot Spots: Remember that you decide where to stop. Set out with the intention to only take pit stops at grocery stores or healthy restaurants along your path. Chat with your travel companions and make a game plan. It’s much easier to travel with like minds and people who respect your choices.
5.) Hydrate: Drinking enough water is vital when flying and traveling across time zones. When we sit for long periods of time our energy, blood and fluids stagnate. Water helps flush and cleanse from head toe. Pop in a water filter and you’re good to go.
6.) Avoid Mindless Snacking: There’s something about the open road and snacking. You are so busy chatting, sightseeing or perhaps bored out of your mind, and end up with your hand in the trail mix all day. Pack your snacks in the trunk so you are forced to stop and pull over to reach them. If hunger isn’t the problem, eating is not the answer. Going for a few hours without food isn’t going to kill you. Take it as an opportunity to meditate and clear your mind.
7.) Don’t Worry Be Happy: Traveling is a blast and healthy eating doesn’t need to put a damper on your fun. Take your well deserved down time to explore, sleep, and get your mind off food. Our lives and travels do not need to revolve around food and tasting everything on a foreign menu.
How do you eat healthy while traveling? What are your top tips?
