Eating Healthy While Traveling

What’s up guys! Memorial Day weekend is the best, especially in Chicago. The city is just SO lively and full of fun people and vibes. And it doesn’t hurt that the weather was perfection this year.

So Memorial Day weekend was tough when it came to staying on track with eating healthy while traveling, right? Cookouts and beer and hanging out at the pool create so much temptation. I managed to kind of stay on track with my healthy eating plan, but we did have dinner at RPM Italian and I allowed myself to have some treats and probably too many cocktails. But instead of beating myself up too much, I acknowledged that I indulged, and got back on track the next day.

I received a ton of questions about my healthy eating plan that I started 3 weeks ago. I had one really great question from a reader and friend about how I stayed on track when I went to my friend’s bachelorette party in Cape Cod. It wasn’t easy, but here’s basically what I did to keep eating healthy while traveling.

I packed some fail-safe snacks

First – I packed a lunch box of food with a little ice pack. I picked the most mobile foods I could think of: baby carrots, turkey slices, apples, almonds, tortillas, and portioned out some protein powder in ziplock bags. I ate my food and snacks while I was traveling and in between meals when I got hungry. My little snacks were such a godsend! One of the girls stopped by the grocery store on her way to Provincetown and picked up a bunch of food for our group (wine and chips and such) so she got some healthy options like sparkling water, apples, guacamole, and carrots for all of us!

Day 1 – Friday

I started traveling at 4:30 in the morning, so I munched on an apple, almonds, and turkey slices on the plane.

Lunch at the seafood diner – I got a veggie omelette and coffee and put some hot sauce on for extra flavor. I drank my coffee with a teensy bit of cream.

Dinner – We had dinner at a seafood restaurant. I got Cod in parchment paper with asparagus and potatoes. I celebrated with a glass of champagne.

Day 2 – Saturday

Breakfast – I woke up early to get a work out in, and drank my protein shake as a preworkout. After I work out I get super hungry, so I had an apple with some turkey slices and almonds.

Brunch – We all went out to the Post Office Cafe and I ordered a veggie omelette. I ate about half of the potatoes and one slice of toast.

We went back to our airbnb to relax for a little and I ate an apple, some carrots with guacamole, and almonds.

Dinner – I forget what kind of fish it was, but it was a blackened with an arugula salad. I had an aperol spritz cocktail, too! We went out on the town and I had another glass of champagne.

Day 3 – Sunday

We had to wake up early to check out of our airbnb. I had a protein shake and some baby carrots for breakfast.

Lunch – You can’t go to cape cod and not get a lobster roll! I Ordered mine “hot and buttered” with the butter on the side, and subbed the potato salad for veggies (which I didn’t photograph). I only ate half the bread and dipped a couple pieces of lobster into the butter.

Dinner – I was at the airport by the time dinner rolled around, so I made myself a wrap with my tortillas and turkey, and munched on some more carrots.

Was it hard when everyone was eating late night pizza? Yes. When everyone else was getting ice cream and rich foods that I wanted, I had to remember that I am really trying to do this for myself. I will never know what I could have achieved if I don’t stick to my plan. Plus, too much dairy and stuff that is bad for me makes me feel icky and affects my sleep as well as my ability to bounce back after traveling. I probably could have been even more strict, like not had as many sips of wine, but sometimes you have to indulge a little bit!

My Tips For Eating Healthy While Traveling At Restaurants

• You can find something to eat anywhere you go, but you can’t be too shy to ask about lighter options or preparation methods.
• Choose lean proteins like fish, chicken, or eggs.
• Sub sides for veggies or fruit or have a side salad.
• Ask to have something cooked in oil rather than butter.
• Get the dressing or the sauce on the side. Instead of creamy sauces and dressings, opt for oil & vinegar or mustard.
• When in doubt – most restaurants will have a burger. Get one on a bed of lettuce!
• If you want to have a drink, stick to sparkling wine, red wine, white wine, or vodka-based drinks.

I know some of you guys are probably going to roll your eyes and tell me to live a little, but that’s okay! This is just what I am doing and what I know works for me. I’m not an expert, but after trial and error I’ve found that eating healthy while traveling this way makes me feel my best!

–Roxanne