The first thing that comes to mind when you’re on a road trip and you need to eat is fast food. After all, it’s way too easy to just go on a drive-thru and order your favorite burgers and fries. In fact, when people have to travel long distances on the road, they don’t even think about packing healthy snacks at all. For most, they’ll just get whatever’s available on the way to their destination.
But making better food choices will have a positive impact on your mood and leisure time. People feel lethargic after eating sweets and salty food. That’s not something you want to feel when driving along the highway or when you need to travel at midnight. Healthy food and plenty of water sustain your energy levels. Not to mention, it will fuel the muscles that you need for all the hauling of luggage you have to do when you get to your destination.
Pack Healthy Snacks
People tend to get snacky when they’re on the road. Instead of reaching for that junk food, why don’t you pack healthy road-trip snacks such as nuts, yogurt (if you have a cooler), granola bars, vegetable sticks, and fruits? You will learn to eat what’s there in the car with you, so bring healthy snacks as much as possible. If you want sweets, you can pack some dark chocolate chips or peanut butter packets to rein in those cravings.
Be Conscious About Your Purchases
On the road, you’ll be forced to have stopovers in gas stations and convenience stores. Most of the food that you will see there is chips, salty biscuits, and candies. Stop yourself from buying these and go to the healthy section instead. Most convenience stores have at least an aisle of healthy choices where you can get nuts, dried fruits, and dried vegetable chips. Make a conscious effort to go to that aisle.
Plan Early
Where are you going? What route are you taking? You should know what restaurants and diners you’re going to find along the way. This is how you’re going to make healthy food choices even when you’re on the road. Instead of driving through the first fast food joint that you see, knowing that there’s a healthier restaurant choice a few miles ahead is a game-changer. Use an app to get the best recommendations depending on the area.
Eat Every Two to Three Hours
People tend to get hungry on the road because there’s nothing else to do. Don’t wait until you are famished to eat. Eat a snack every two to three hours because that will satisfy your hunger and cravings. Also, don’t skip meals just because you do not feel hungry. Your body needs to get its much-needed fuel for long trips. The longer you try to hold off your hunger, the more likely that you’re going to binge on unhealthy food.
Bring Your Greens
It’s sometimes hard to look for a diner or a restaurant that has large servings of fruits and vegetables. This means that when you’re on the road for an extended period (days or weeks), you are not getting the right amounts of fruits and vegetables you need. It’s a no-no for people who want to stay healthy and fit. The best thing to do is to carry your greens with you. Either buy powdered greens that you can mix in your smoothies or go for freeze-dried fruits and vegetables that you can put in your oatmeal.
Get Enough Sleep
Good sleep is key to losing weight. A study once found out that lack of sleep will drive up hunger hormones and thus, will make people buy and eat high-calorie food. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep even when you’re on the road. Don’t rely on a bunk bed in your car, too. Save enough money so you can stay in a motel for the night. A good night’s sleep will not only make you healthy but will also keep you awake behind the wheel. It’s both for your health and safety.
There is no excuse to eating unhealthily. Healthy food is now more accessible than ever. Even if you go to an old gas station, you will find a packet of nuts that you can munch on while driving. A healthy lifestyle is a commitment—one that you have to be disciplined enough to follow while at home or on the road. This is non-negotiable because you have to train yourself to follow a lifestyle that will make you fit and healthy.
