You are what you eat, so don’t be fast, cheap, easy, or fake.  -Unknown

Do you find yourself eating fast food when traveling?

Eating healthy is a challenge when away from home. Stress, lack of healthy choices, and an irrational fear of starvation make burritos and cheeseburgers look divine.

Fast-food restaurants line airport terminals. Airlines offer snacks and meals loaded with fat, carbs, and salt. Restaurant entrees are loaded with butter, sauces, and mega-calories. What’s a traveler to do?

It’s easy to ignore the well-known advice that tells us to eat healthy when rushing to catch a plane. But, it’s difficult to ignore the discomfort caused by eating unhealthy foods. Make poor choices and chances are you will experience one or more of the following signs of an unhappy body:

• Indigestion: Break out the antacids to calm the searing pain in your gut from eating a heavy, fatty, or spicy meal.
• Water Retention: Pile on the salt and sugar and you may swell up like the Pillsbury Doughboy. Don’t remove your shoes; they may not fit on your swollen feet by the end of your flight.
• Bloating and Gas: Wear stretchy pants or unbuckle your belt to make room for belly bloat brought on by carbonated beverages or foods that don’t agree with you. Lactose intolerant? Please don’t drink a milkshake before boarding a plane.
• Mild Dehydration: If you find yourself with a headache, fatigue, muscle cramps, or a dry foul-tasting mouth you can blame either alcoholic beverages or not drinking enough water.
• Insomnia: Be ready for sleepless nights if you drink too much caffeine or suffer from indigestion.

Hey, it’s vacation time! We’re supposed to feel great and have lots of fun. Instead, many of us reach for antacids, gas relievers, sleep aids, and other medicinal cures to ease the miserable symptoms caused by over-eating and fast food indulgence.

Tired of suffering? The secret to feeling your best when traveling is simple – eat less, eat light, and drink plenty of water.

Eat Less

• Eat small portions, split a meal, or order half-portions.
• Curb your appetite by drinking a glass of water just before a meal.
• Eat slowly to give your brain a chance to tell you when you’ve eaten enough.

Eat Light

• Choose natural foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
• Avoid processed foods such as cookies, chips, and sugary cereals.
• Watch out for fat, salt, and sugar in processed and restaurant foods. Sorry folks, it’s a bad idea to eat donuts, cheeseburgers, pizza, burritos, ice cream, and other delicious unhealthy foods.
• Choose entrees that are steamed, grilled, broiled, roasted or baked. Pass up foods that are fried or sautéed.
• Stay away from thick, rich sauces and gravies and avoid overly spicy foods.
• Make room in your carry-on bag for your favorite healthy snacks and sandwiches.
• Stop at a local grocery store to buy fresh foods. You will eat healthier and save time and money eating some meals in your hotel room or at a picnic area.

Drink Plenty of Water

• Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated.
• Don’t drink your calories. Steer clear of juices, sodas, milkshakes, or specialty coffees loaded with sugar.
• Pass on the carbonated water to prevent bloat when traveling by plane.
• Go easy on alcoholic beverages which can dehydrate you.

Make a few simple changes to the foods you eat when traveling, and your body will reward you with comfort and good health.

Happy travels!

Featured image: pixabay.com (Radoan Tanvir)