The holidays are coming up, and that means travel for many people. If you’re trying to stick to a diet, traveling can be tough says, Brian C Jensen.
Here are 20 tips for staying on track when you’re on the road.
1. Plan Ahead:
The best way to stay on track with your diet when you’re traveling is to plan ahead. Pack healthy snacks and meals so you won’t be tempted to eat unhealthy food.
2. Stay Hydrated:
It’s easy to forget to drink enough water when you’re traveling, but it’s important to stay hydrated. Carry a water bottle with you and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
3. Avoid Fast Food:
Fast food is notoriously unhealthy, so it’s best to avoid eating it when you travel. If you do go to a fast-food restaurant, try to pick the healthiest items on the menu.
4. Stay Active:
You don’t need to exercise while you’re traveling, but try to stay active in other ways. Walk around the airport before your flight and walk through tourist attractions rather than taking transportation if possible explains Brian C Jensen.
5. Eat Your Meals at Appropriate Times:
When you’re traveling, there may be many temptations that can interfere with your meal schedule. Try not to skip meals since doing so will only make it harder for you to stick to your diet during travel time.
6. Be Open Minded:
While being open-minded is usually a good thing, it can be bad when it comes to dieting. Don’t try to eat food that you’re not used to eating just because it’s available while you’re traveling.
7. Bring Your Own Food:
If you’re worried about the food options available at your destination, bring your own food with you. There are many healthy and portable snacks that you can take with you on the go.
8. Make Time for Breakfast:
One of the best things you can do for your diet when traveling is make time for breakfast. Skipping breakfast can make it harder for you to make healthy choices later in the day.
9. Be Prepared for Emergencies:
No one ever wants to have a dietary emergency while they’re traveling, but it’s always best to be prepared. Carry snacks with you that will tide you over until you can find a healthier option.
10. Relax and Have Fun:
The most important thing when traveling is to relax and have fun. If you’re stressing out about your diet, you’ll only make things harder for yourself. Brian C Jensen says enjoy your time away from home and don’t worry too much about your diet.
11. Watch Your Alcohol Intake:
Alcoholic drinks tend to be full of empty calories, so try to limit your intake while you’re traveling. If you do choose to drink alcohol, try sticking with one or two drinks instead of having a whole night out on the town.
12. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Changes:
If you’re eating at a sit-down restaurant while traveling and aren’t happy with your meal, don’t be afraid to ask for changes. Most restaurants will be willing to accommodate special requests if they can.
13. Don’t Skip Meals:
It’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement when you travel and forget about mealtimes entirely, but don’t skip meals. If you’re famished when you finally do sit down to eat, you’ll be more likely to order unhealthy food.
14. Bring a Kitchen Scale:
While not everyone has a kitchen scale, if you do have one it can be very helpful for dieting while traveling. When you’re unsure about the portion size of a meal, use your kitchen scale to measure it out.
15. Choose Smaller Portions:
If the restaurant you’re eating at doesn’t have healthy options, try ordering smaller portions of unhealthy food instead of a large plate of junk. This will help you avoid overeating and save room for healthier meals later on in your trip.
16. Scout Out Healthier Options Beforehand:
If you’re eating at a restaurant that doesn’t have many healthy options, scout out other places before traveling where you can buy healthier food. Many grocery stores carry fresh produce and canned goods that are perfect for taking with you on the go.
17. Be Careful With Condiments:
It may be tempting to douse your meal in ketchup or mayonnaise before you eat it, but try not to do so since both condiments are full of fat and calories. If you really like the taste of something like ketchup, try putting some on after your meal instead of before. This will help save hundreds of unnecessary calories each week.
18. Don’t Worry About Calories When Sightseeing:
It may be hard to resist the temptation of a delicious meal while you’re traveling, but don’t worry too much about calories when sightseeing. It’s important to relax and enjoy yourself when you’re on vacation instead of obsessing over your diet. If you stay active while you travel, any excess calories will be burned off without a problem.
19. Don’t Indulge Too Often:
If you happen to find some junk food while traveling, don’t eat it unless it’s an occasional treat rather than a daily indulgence. You can save most of these treats for special occasions or events where they’ll have more of an impact anyway explains Brian C Jensen.
20. Pace Yourself during Meals:
When eating at a buffet, don’t immediately fill up your plate and eat everything at once. Pace yourself by taking a few bites of each item before going back for more so you won’t have to take a doggy bag home with you when you’re done.
Conclusion:
By following these tips, you can stay on track with your diet while traveling and avoid any holiday weight gain.