Planners know well how difficult adhering to a healthy diet can be on the road. Business trips often involve a demanding schedule in an unfamiliar environment, bringing people out of their normal routines. But instead of completely abandoning healthy eating habits, new practices can be formed. Here are some innovative tricks for eating healthy on the road.
Make Your Hotel Room a Kitchen
A hotel room might not be the best kitchen environment, but a little creativity goes a long way. Check out the amenities in your room. Is there a mini-fridge? Does the room have a microwave? What about a coffee machine that could be used to make hard-boiled eggs and oatmeal?
If you check a bag, you can even bring along a useful appliance. A miniature food processor can make smoothies, while a small crockpot will make fresh meals for one. Check out the amenities in your room. Is there a mini-fridge? Will it be big enough to hold your groceries? Does the room have a microwave? These questions will help determine what you’ll buy.
TSA-approved bottles allow you to bring ingredients for great meal pairings. Spice food up by filling these bottles with condiments, lemon juice, olive oil and other add-ons.
Seek Out Grocery Stores
The amenities available, as well as the size of your mini-fridge, will determine what kinds of groceries you can buy. If the fridge is minuscule or nonexistent, you might even consider buying a portable styrofoam cooler for a few dollars. If you have access to a microwave, it’s possible to cook frozen shrimp and frozen vegetables or make popcorn, scrambled eggs, microwavable turkey bacon and soup (low-sodium).
Grocery stores often have salad and hot food bars that are very convenient, but remember to be selective and choose items such as plain lean meats, fresh and grilled veggies, fruits and brown rice. Also get some high-protein, low-calorie snacks such as kettle corn, mixed vegetables, Greek yogurt, turkey cold cuts, nuts and fruits.
Always Have Packaged, Ready-to-Eat Snacks on Hand
Your days will be busy with work-related activities, and healthy foods are not always the most portable.
Here are some truly delicious yet healthy packaged snacks:
- Mini Babybel Light Cheese Wheels
- Skinny Pop Popcorn
- Clif Bars
- Quest Protein Chips
- Calbee Snapea Crisps
- Justin’s Classic Almond Butter Squeeze Pack
- The Chia Co. Chia Pod
- gimMe Organic Roasted Seaweed
- Dole’s Wildly Nutritious Mixed Berries
- Epic Chicken Sriracha Bar
Above all, Try New Things and Enjoy
If you’re traveling to an area known for having the world’s best ribs, don’t stay holed up with carrots in your room. It’s important to explore the world and treat yourself when it’s worth it. The one-and-done rule works well—splurge on one special food per day. Regardless of what happens, cut yourself some slack every once in a while and enjoy the trip!
