5 Tips For Eating Healthy While Traveling

I just returned home from a bunch of speaking events and conferences, and I had an AMAZING time. Though I’m not a veteran of traveling by any means, I have been able to figure out some simple hacks that make eating healthy (and saving money) a lot easier than most people realize.

And why should you eat healthy while traveling? Well, an abnormally high percentage of people actually get sick while traveling, especially right after they return home. It’s the hustle and bustle, the low quality food, the flights, the lack of sleep, and the lowered immune system that can put you down for the count.

And who wants to be sick while traveling, or even worse, when you get home and want to tell everyone what an awesome time you had?

I’ll have none of that thank you. In the immortal words of the scholar, Sweet Brown, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”

So, today I’m going to share with you 5 tips to help you eat healthy while traveling, feel great, and even save a few dollars. 

5 Tips For Eating Healthy While Traveling 

Tip #1: Plan ahead. Oh so simple, but so overlooked. By planning ahead I was able to see what restaurants, grocery stores, and health food stores were near my hotel. All it took was a quick consultation with Dr. Google and I was able to figure out where I’d be getting my food.

I usually get a rental car so that I can head right to the local Whole Foods as soon as I land. This time the hotel I stayed at actually had a shuttle that dropped me off right in front of Whole Foods. Big time score, and that rental car cash stayed right in my pocket.

Seriously, just taking 10 to 20 minutes to figure out what and where you’re going to eat in advance can save you a serious headache (and keep some unwanted fat off your body).

Tip #2: Bring some superfoods. If anyone ever says that they don’t eat superfoods, simply reply by saying, “Interesting, I didn’t know that they still make old models like you…”

Superfoods are the traveler’s best friends. Easy to pack in your suitcase, and easy to add to any meal to radically upgrade the nutritional value. Several nights I made a simple salad in my hotel room, and because I packed some spirulina in my suitcase, I was able to add incredible amounts of micronutrients, enzymes, amino acids and more by just mixing in a teaspoon or two of the protein governator, spirulina.

You can throw some goji berries into your morning granola at the hotel, mix some hemp seeds in with your veggies or salad, and so many other simple additions as well.

Most importantly, packing superfoods like Reishi Mushroom can help fortify your immune system and keep you protected from the travel ills that try to bring you down. Pack your superfoods for super protection!

Tip #3: Pack a mini-blender (or at LEAST a shaker bottle). This one tip alone has saved me more time, money, and wasted energy than anything else. If you know how to make a good superfood smoothie, then you know that it can keep you nourished and satisfied for HOURS, and have your energy levels much higher than the people around you.

At one of the speaker’s conferences I was sitting in on, I could see several people fast asleep after they’ve spent thousands of dollars to be there. Not cool! I bet they wish they felt more energized, and I bet they’re blaming it on something other than what they’re putting in their mouth. Pastries and donuts for breakfast = sleepy time. Fill your body with great stuff to start the day, and an easy way to do that is with a breakfast smoothie.

I brought along my NutriBullet blender. It tucked nicely right in to my suitcase with plenty of room for my clothes and superfoods. There’s also the Magic Bullet as a good option. I’ve used both, but I’m really happy with my NutriBullet.

At a minimum, you absolutely must bring along a real shaker bottle. I like the classic BPA-free BlenderBottle. This way you can at least get in some high quality protein powder, ground flax or ground chia seeds, plus any other powdered superfoods you want to bring along. Add them to the bottle with water or almond milk, shake, and drink for a nutritional insurance policy. It can replace a meal, or at least add some dense nutrition to help keep you balanced.

Tip #4: Get a room with a mini-fridge. Again, just planning ahead and calling the hotel may surprise you in what you can get. Some hotels I’ve stayed at have had mini-refrigerators, tea/coffee makers, and even blenders if you simply ask for them.

In my most recent trip I was able to stock my mini-fridge with all the fixings for my salads, almond milk, and even frozen berries to make smoothies. Two of my 3 meals were covered each day just by asking for a room with a fridge (and stocking up on a few essentials). I spent $80 at Whole Foods for 8 meals. I had to eat at a restaurant 4 times and it cost me $100. If you do the math on that, planning ahead saved me over $100 easy on food. And guess what I get to do with that extra $100…

Whatever I want! 🙂

Tip #5: Cut yourself some slack. One of the great things about traveling is trying different foods and really enjoying yourself. Yet, some people see enjoying themselves as a full permission slip to entertain their mouths with fried snickers bars and all-manner of things that can potentially give them a heart attack.

Obviously, I’m not talking about being irresponsible with your health and unconscious of what you’re doing. But you don’t want to go to the other extreme and have your militant attitude about health become a greater stress than the “risque” food you may be eating.

Seriously, cut yourself some slack. Try some new things, have a good time. Just make sure that you follow the 4 other tips here to ensure that you’re taking good care of yourself overall.

Now I want to hear from you! Did you like these travel tips? Is there any thing here you’ve already tried, or is there something else you’d add to the list? Let me know in the comments below.