As a busy travel professional, I find myself on the road quite a bit. I average approximately one trip a month now, and being gone and away from the kitchen and home can really test your eating habits. Over the past couple of years, as my travels have increased, I have learned smart ways to tackle the array of bad choices presented to me at every airport, on every flight, and even in a lot of restaurants. While I still like to dive into the local cuisines, I do take measures where I can to make sure I stay on track and don’t sabotage my hard work.
One trick has been learning to never leave home without healthy options in either my purse or carry-on. Many things are small enough and easy enough to pack in these small bags. Surprisingly, a lot of them can be found even in nice “to-go” individual servings at your local grocery store.
Some of my best grab and go snacks….
Nuts ( almonds, pistachios, walnuts, soy, etc.)
Seeds (pumpkin and sunflower are my two favorites)
Fruit ( small cuties, bananas, apples, grapes, or even a small Tupperware full of berries)
Eggs (Boil them and take them to go. One warning they can give off a sulfur odor)
Avocado or guacamole ( I have recently found great little to go servings of the guacamole. Note it is a refrigerator item, so you don’t want it in your bag all day)
Vegetable sticks (baby carrots, celery, red peppers)
Olives (green, black, or kalamata can now be found in convenient to-go cups)
In addition to my healthy snacks, I always carry water with me. Staying hydrated during travel is vitally important. I also need it for my Shakeology that I bring with me. Shakeology is a great protein high-density nutrition drink and can be ordered in great individual packets. (chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry)
I use similar rules when I travel to my friend’s homes. If I am bringing a dish, I make sure it is one of my healthy options, so I always know I will have a good choice. When I put out the game spread at home, you will find similar snacks to the list above, along with your chips and dips. The keys to any healthy eating plan, whether on-the-go or at home, is first to make good choices 80% of the time and second to remember moderation. It won’t do you any good to eat nuts if you decide to eat the whole 16-ounce bag when a serving size is more like a 1/4 cup. Next time you are taking a trip, think of the list above and make a plan.
Happy Snacking!
Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.
She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.
