Personal health and fitness is important for many people. They may incorporate health and fitness into their daily routine; going to the gym before or after work, bringing healthy snacks to work to avoid the vending machine, or doing active weekend things such as hiking or biking with friends. But, when traveling, routines tend to go by the wayside as you set aside hours to simply explore and enjoy local cuisines. So, how do you manage to eat healthily and stay fit while traveling?
For me, keeping a gym regimen while traveling is not a huge priority. I occasionally go for a run or seek out the hotel gym, but only if I am traveling for more than a week. Don’t stress about not keeping your routine, the stress alone is much more detrimental to your health than skipping a few days of weight lifting.
However, that does not mean one should not exercise while traveling. The best way to explore while traveling is by foot. Remember to pack good walking shoes! If you are traveling in a part of the world that has good hiking trails, consider incorporating a day hike into your itinerary.
Image source: popsugar.com. As stylish as they are, the wedge heels shown here are probably not the best walking shoe for traveling.
Eating healthy while traveling is a bit more of a challenge than exercising. When you are traveling, no matter how close or how far from your home, there is nothing more tempting than that location’s best ice cream, best barbecue, best pizza, you get the idea. Because the nature of healthy food is that it is minimally processed, a location’s best salad bar or best grocery store isn’t really going to be high up on your travel destination list. Don’t feel guilty while eating these foods. After all, enjoying the region’s best cuisine is one of the best parts about traveling. However, here are some tips on moderation:
Image source: nytimes.com. Bagels are a New York staple that are worth every fluffy, empty calorie.
Go to a grocery store to load up on fruits and vegetables. Often, restaurants serve minimal portions of these foods, or they are not very fresh. If you are on a road trip, gas station food is even worse. Apples and carrots are good options because they last. These make great snacks to keep in your hotel so you aren’t buying chips or chocolate bars as snacks in addition to your large restaurant meals.
Image source: anorganicconversation.com
Try to eat at least one meal a day prepared in your hotel or hostel with some fruits and vegetables included. These meals generally are healthier than rich restaurant foods, and can help keep you on a budget.
Go for quality over quantity. Have one or two good meals a day rather than snacking on treats all day (such as doughnuts and ice cream, the latest artisan trends). These can be yummy, but don’t fill you up or give you the energy you need to keep going all day. That being said, a treat once in a while never hurt anyone!
We hope your travels are happy, healthy, and most of all, fun!
