Healthy Eating On The Go

Eating on-the-go seems to be synonymous with poor eating habits. I believe this is due to:

1) Lack of preparation

2) Lack of understanding how to make healthy choices at restaurants.

I will address both challenges in this post.

The best option for eating healthy on-the-go is to prepare ahead of time. Believe it or not, it takes just as much time to stand in line and wait for the burger boy to get your meal together as it would for you to make your own sandwich or pack left-overs from the day before. The only difference with making your own is that it takes a little foresight and planning. You will need to plan the time to make your meals before leaving for the day and have something to carry it it.

For travelling, you can even get a small, inexpensive soft-sided cooler, flatten it, and pack it in your suitcase to use for this purpose. When you get to your destination, stop by a grocery store on the way to your hotel and buy a few things you can fit in your hotel fridge. I’ve been doing this for years and it is by far the easiest, least expensive method for traveling. Be sure to also pack whole food bars, trailmix, and perhaps some raw veggies and/or fruit, as well. These are easy to carry around for a quick snack and a better option than fast food.

Some basic necessities to have on hand are fruit (both fresh and dried), nuts and seeds, raw

veggies, oatmeal, boxed milk (almond, cashew, coconut, hemp, or rice ), whole-grain bread and/or

tortillas, peanut butter (non-hydrogenate), jam, tuna, mayo, salt, pepper, honey, and aluminum foil or

baggies for packing.

Spices, baggies and honey are easy to pack in a suitcase if checking baggage. These basic foods should last at least a week, will cost less than one meal out, and are easy to pack and take with you when out and about. The classic PB&J sandwich is great because it doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Throw some baby carrots or snap peas in your bag and you’ll have a great lunch that will help provide nourishment and mental energy for the rest of your day.

Let’s face it, though, sometimes a fast food restaurant is the only option. For example, if flying on an

airplane, you may be better off getting lunch or dinner from the airport terminal before boarding the

plane versus polluting your body with nasty airplane food. Additionally, many amusement parks won’t

allow you to carry in food because they want you to spend money on their park food. In these cases, it is best to choose a place where you can order vegetables and rice or a potato (with butter and salt only). Skip bread and “fried” foods. If you order meat, it is best to order grilled or rotisserie versus fried, baked or cured. Stick with water to drink (which keeps you hydrated) versus soda, especially when flying. If skipping meat, nuts will offer ample protein.

Please keep in mind that healthier options are not always the ones you think. For example, a salad with meat, cheese, bacon bits and dressing will pack more calories than a cheeseburger. However, take off the meat, cheese and bacon bits, add lots of vegetables and a small amount of dressing and you have a healthy, low-calorie, low-sodium, low-sugar meal that still tastes great! Want protein? Add your favorite nuts or seeds for healthy protein and flavor. Restaurants don’t typically have seeds and nuts; therefore it is best to pack your own. They keep well and are light-weight for carrying in a purse,

briefcase, or pocket.

Eating healthy on-the-go is easy when you have foresight and plan for your day. Just like any new habit, it may take time to form. Try putting a reminder on your phone the day prior to any travel or put out a Post-It note to remind you. Applying these small strategies can help you create more health and

happiness in your life.