Healthy Tips While Travelling
A fellow blogger, world-traveller and food enthusiast Cole Millen, emailed me this article of his with some very simple steps to be prepared and stay healthy while enjoying your holidays, so I thought I would share them with you all:)
Healthy Traveling Tips
If you have been working hard to eat healthier, exercise more and maybe shed a few pounds, do not despair over that upcoming trip. Going on vacation does not have to mean your hard-earned progress and new habits must take a break too. In fact, with a little planning, your vacation can be a way to test-drive your coping skills.
Plan ahead
One of the best ways to get off to a great start on your vacation is to eat a healthy meal before heading to the airport. Doing so can help you avoid the temptations of airport and airplane food, which is often high in calories. Those who have connecting flights can also take advantage of healthy meals in airports, which are more common in airports than ever before. In addition, vacationers may wish to use the opportunity to explore the airport instead of sitting and waiting for the next flight.
Still, food choices at the airport are notoriously limited, so consider packing a small snack in your carry-on bag. Nuts and good quality bars provide concentrated energy in a small package. This will help you stay true to your healthy goals in the face of pastries, junk food and questionable fast food choices.
If you have avoided eating out lately, familiarize yourself with the restaurants you will be visiting on your vacation. If possible, review menus online so you have an idea of what is available. Also, reading reviews of the area as well as the restaurants can assist greatly in finding healthy alternatives. Just recently, I took a trip to Boston for a Red Sox game and did my due diligence before departure. I found a great site that listed a great list of reviews for the hotels in Boston as well as the restaurants in the area. As you can imagine this made it easier than ever to remain healthy for my trip.
Of course, if you are traveling with a group you will need to be flexible and creative when it comes to your meals. Do not be afraid to make special requests when you are at a restaurant. Prepared food depends heavily on salt and butter to maximize flavor. While the food may taste delicious, the added calories can quickly torpedo your hard work.
Do not forget to exercise
Although it can be an effort to squeeze in time for exercise while away from home, the benefits are worth it. Whether you are attending a conference or vacationing with family, your exercise time can be a welcome break from daily tasks.
Most hotels now have complimentary exercise facilities for guests. While the quality and equipment available will vary by hotel, you should be able to find something that works for you. This can also be a chance to explore new equipment if your home gym is limited.
If your hotel does not have an in-house gym, be sure to ask what exercise options are available. Some hotels now partner with nearby health clubs or have a jogging map of the area for guests to use.
Healthy food choices and daily exercise should not take a vacation when you do. Planning ahead and looking for solutions will help you stay on track.
For more articles and tips form Cole be sure to check out his blog: