I’ve been traveling the planet since I was 19 years old. The cultures, foods, and experiences I’ve been blessed to be exposed to have changed me for the better. I love experiencing new things, and food is one of those that allows you to immerse yourself in a culture firsthand. However, indulgence comes with a price. Of course, food poisoning is always a danger when traveling, but for those of us who travel for a living, eating healthy while away from home can present real challenges. Here are my 3 essential tips for healthy eating on the road that have served me well.
Tip 1: Utilize the Local Shopping Markets
When I’m home, if I get hungry before mealtime, I usually snack on something I’ve purchased at the grocery store. For me, garbage in is garbage out—you are what you eat. I’ve spent a lifetime training in the martial arts and helping others with their food choices, making them better athletes, martial artists, and just overall healthier. So, the snacks I eat at home are typically fruits, nuts, or something low-calorie and organic. When traveling, I’m often in a hotel surrounded by snack bars, which usually consist of candy bars, chips, and soda. Therefore, when you arrive at your hotel, make it a priority to find the nearest grocery store and buy yourself healthy snacks to keep on hand, just as you would at home. If you’re traveling overseas, this can be an adventure and a lot of fun.
Tip 2: Choose Restaurants Wisely
Bad restaurant choices can have catastrophic results, especially when traveling abroad. Part of my 3 essential tips for healthy eating on the road involves choosing local restaurants with a high number of good reviews. You can use Google Maps or TripAdvisor for this. I’m a bit of a statistician and use the law of averages to help me find the best restaurants. Yes, some restaurants may skew their ratings with fake reviews, which is why I look for places with a large number of reviews and read through them. Local restaurants that aren’t part of a chain can’t afford to make mistakes and serve bad food—there’s more at risk for these businesses. Therefore, choose your restaurants wisely and avoid settling for places of convenience. Good things are worth waiting for.
Tip 3: Maintain Hydration and Make Smart Drink Choices
Traveling outside your normal routine, whether for business or pleasure, will almost always disrupt your habits. When I travel, I often see other vacationers and travelers drinking high-sugar beverages while walking the city and taking in the sights. This can be dangerous, as sugar can negatively impact your energy, heart health, and blood flow. Dehydration is a real issue for many travelers, so staying hydrated with water during the day needs to be a priority. Doing so will not only help with your endurance but also assist in regulating body temperature, removing waste and toxins, supporting skin health, and more. Save those sugary or alcoholic drinks for later in the day when the sun is down, if you must have them.
Conclusion
These 3 tips for healthy eating on the road form a simple formula you can use during your travels. Shop locally for snacks to avoid the candy and chips found in hotel rooms. Stay away from chain restaurants and eat local—use Google Maps or TripAdvisor to find places with a high number of good reviews. Lastly, stay hydrated with water throughout the day, and your body will thank you. Stay healthy and safe out there, my friends.
Safe Travels – The Nomad Pilot
