It’s not always easy to make health conscious decisions when it comes to food living a life on the road. If you’re like me, then you have the “yolo mentality” and think, “but I may only be here once in my life! I have to try everything!”
Some people are lucky and have a digestive system made of steel and can throw down anything that comes there way without knowing what the term “weight gain” means. Then there are people like me. If I even look at processed carbohydrates and dairy I’ve already gained 8 pounds.
During my time in Brazil, my meals were filled with fried foods breaded in flakey goodness, little balls of puff pastry filled with melty cheese, exotic fruit and beautiful sugary drinks and deserts. There was so much yummy food that I constantly indulged in and my body paid the price. I was a sold TEN pounds heavier than I am now. I’M NOT KIDDING.
There’s a sweet balance between enjoying the local cuisine and making smart, careful decisions about what you put in your body. Whether I’m on the road for work or for pleasure I always have a few staples in my suitcase for some go-to snacks and meals!
WHY PACK THE SNACK?!
*Save the lbs*
Lets be real… It feels AWESOME to treat yourself to delicious meals, especially on your vaycay, but what exactly is in that mouthwatering breakfast, lunch or dinner? A lot of the time it’s damaged oils, cheap dairy, excessive amounts of sugar, poor quality ingredients and who knows what else. It’s sooo yummy for sure but it can be really hard on your body and consequently your mood. Save your body the pounds, save your mind the brain fog and try to limit the crazy.
*Save your mood*
My mood is ridiculously sensitive to food. If I’m constantly eating heavy, difficult things for my body to digest then that’s how my brain feels; tired and lethargic. You want to be full of life and energy on your trip! So enjoy yourself but make wise choices for some of those purchased meals and stick to your healthy goodie bag in between.
*Save dat money*
I carefully watch over my finances and if you do the same then you’ve probably noticed where most of your money goes once you’ve paid your bills… FOOD. Food is definitely one of the biggest expenses constantly living on the road. Eating out adds up real fast! If you don’t eat out for one meal of the three each day that’s saving you at least $15-$20 and if you’re on vacation for 7 days that’s $105-$140. I’m ALL about experiencing the local yummy goodies but I also want to be able to splurge on other areas of a trip as well.
*Save your friends*
Ever been hangry? Haha caught ya! We all have it’s okay. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a car for 4 hours in the middle of Costa Rica, hot, lost and starving with nothing to eat; AKA hangry. This is where your trusty, healthy snack bag comes in! No one likes to get to the point of being testy because they’re so hungry. Save yourself and save your friends. Always carry snacks!
What are the goods?
Instant oatmeal – Filled with fiber, protein and is naturally gluten free, oatmeal is a morning staple. It’s super easy to make with hot water from the coffee maker or in the microwave. If these aren’t accessible to you then you can also stop by a Starbucks and ask for a cup of hot water 😉 Just be sure to look for instant oatmeal that doesn’t have a ton of added sugar!
Protein bars – These are LIFESAVERS and, for me, often a meal replacement. I’m a huge fan of “gomacro” bars because they have a decent amount of plant-based protein, have only 9 grams of sugar, they’re non gmo, certified clean, certified raw and a bunch of other awesomeness. A few other brands I really like are Trader Joes “trail nuggets,” Bulletproof collagen protein bars and Vega bars. Protein bars are so small you can fit a bunch of them in your suitcase and take some with you in your purse for your daily adventures!
Trail mix and nuts – I’ll switch it up but I always have a bag of trail mix or nuts in my suitcase. They’re great to snack on and have lots of protein and good fat so they keep you satisfied for a good chunk of time. Once again, watch out for added sugar. Trail mix often comes with chocolate goodies, candy coated nuts and dried fruit. Some of that is okay but make sure the main ingredient is the good stuff!
Dried fruit – For me, this isn’t always the best option for long overseas trips because it’s not nutrient dense for how much space it takes BUT for weekend excursions dried fruit is great. It’s an easy snack or something I like to throw in my oatmeal for breakfast. If possible, always go for the unsweetened and unsulfured dried fruit. Sulfur dioxide is a preservative that extends shelf life and keeps the color of the fruit but isn’t necessary, so why put that in your body, ya know? And isn’t dried fruit sweet enough already? No need for that pesky added sugar 😉
Nut butter – Also a lifesaver! These little packets are such a solid choice for a travel staple. They’re small, nutrient dense, easy to add to fruit (banana, apple, pear, yum!), throw in your oatmeal or even enjoy on its own. Plus they come in lots of yummy flavors.
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Travel feeds your soul with eye opening and heart humbling experiences. Just makes sure you’re also feeding your body all the right things in the process my friends!
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