As the last few weeks of summer roll around, many of us take the time to relax and get a vacation in – whether it is a day on the beach or a week away from home. While on the go, it is usually easier to consume food that is convenient rather than nutritious, mostly due to the options readily available. Here is a guide to mindful eating while traveling, so you can relax and eat healthy on vacation.

1. Plan ahead

Before you embark on vacation, do some research on your destination to see what your options are for restaurants, quick food, or food shopping. This can save a lot of stress when you want to make the most of your time!

2. Pack snacks

It is impossible to know everything about your trip in advance, so packing some healthy snacks for yourself can be helpful when you don’t have food options you enjoy right in front of you. This can be especially helpful on long car rides or day trips. Examples of healthy snacks that will fit in your bag include cut up cucumbers or carrots, a small bag of popcorn, 1/2 cup of trail mix or nuts, and granola bars.

3. Gas Station Wisdom

We often spend time stopping at gas stations during travel. Unfortunately, the convenience stores do not always have the healthiest options. The good news is that there are some good food choices! At a gas station, fruit is a good choice because it has many vitamins and is also high in fiber, which keeps you fuller longer.

Other good options include a small pack of nuts or nut butter, hummus, and whole-grain crackers. If you prefer chips, try the baked variety and go for a small bag or share one that contains more than one serving. Try these foods instead of the processed desserts!

4. Airport Tips

If you find yourself in an airport, look around before you decide on an option. There are usually sit-down restaurants with healthy options, which you can also get “to go”. However, if you do not have time for a sit down meal, healthy convenience foods that will help to satisfy yor hunger include yogurt, fruit, hard-boiled eggs, and nuts.

Remember that you can bring solid foods such as sandwiches through the airport security if you like to plan in advance or you are a picky eater.

You can look online to see what is offered in your terminal if you are concerned about any food allergies.

Traveling should never mean you cannot eat healthy – there are often nourishing options around if you take the time to consider your choices first!

– Nutrition Student Elsey