Traveling can be a lot of fun, but it can also be challenging to maintain a healthy diet on the go. Fast food and vending machines are often the most convenient options, but they’re not always the healthiest. We all find ourselves in need of a quick snack or meal while traveling and we end up reaching for some unhealthy snacks. This results in the risk of starting a cycle of unhealthy binge eating that will completely ruin the diet and undo all of the efforts prior to curbing junk food intake. Check out some tips for packing healthy snacks and foods to take with you on your travels to help you avoid the temptation of junk food. (Also read: Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar shares 5 tips to travel healthy this holiday season )
Vasundhara Agrawal, Diet and lifestyle consultant and Co-Founder of Instahealth.in, shared with HT Lifestyle, some healthy snack alternatives you can take with you while traveling.
1. Grab some handy fruits and vegetables
Fruits like apples, bananas, grapes or oranges, as well as easy-to-eat veggies like baby carrots, sliced bell peppers and celery sticks, provide a satisfying crunch in addition to vitamins and minerals. These foods are high in fiber, which keeps you fuller for longer, reducing the need to binge on unhealthy foods.
2. Make your own energy bites to take with you
Energy bites, also known as energy balls, are small balls made of nutritious ingredients such as oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruits. Despite their small size, they are high in nutrition. You can easily prepare them at home and pack them for your trip.
3. Get yourself a cup of yogurt
When your snack options are limited, unsweetened yogurt is a great option, but it has to be kept cool to avoid spoilage. Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt. To make it more flavorful, add your own toppings like berries, chia seeds and dried coconut.
4. Save your nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are delicious on their own, but they also go well with dried or fresh fruit. Protein, healthy fats and fiber are all widely present in nuts and seeds. Walnuts, almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are just a few of the healthy options that give you an energy boost.
5. Keep a water bottle on hand
Thirst is frequently misinterpreted as hunger. It is essential to stay hydrated because adequate water consumption plays an important role in improving overall metabolism within the body. It will also help you avoid travel lag, heat exhaustion and binge eating.