5 ways to stay healthy while travelling abroad
Travel is such a wonderful part of life. Experiencing new cultures, taking in new sites, meeting new people, and of course trying new foods.
However, traveling for business or pleasure can easily derail your health and fitness routine. It’s easy to fall into the trap of many indulgent meals and little exercise because “I’m on vacay”. But it really is possible to have a fantastic time, enjoy local cuisine and get in some exercise without depriving yourself of a true holiday.
I’ve put together my top five tips for combining pleasure with wellbeing when you’re on the go – because isn’t living your best life the point of a vacation in the first place?
BRING YOUR SNACK GAME
Snacking can be a game changer when you’re on the road. However, it can be hard to find healthy options when you’re driving down the motorway or stuck in the wilderness! My advice is to always pack some healthy snacks with you whenever you travel. You don’t have to bring your whole food cupboard, but packing some nut mixes, picking up some local fresh fruit (or an avocado!) or having a healthy energy bar on hand can make all the difference. These types of snacks will help tide you over and prevent you from that fast food restaurant pit stop or reaching for that giant bag of gummies.
Or, if you’d rather not carry around a bunch of snacks, swing by the local supermarket right when you arrive.
LOCO FOR LOCAL
Experiencing the local culture is a huge part of travelling, and trying traditional foods is largely connected with that cultural experience. Often local delicacies will be made with ingredients that are natural to the habitat. So, think home grown fruits and vegetables, locally reared meat or fish and grains and oils from the native region. Plus, if your food hasn’t travelled halfway across the world, you’re doing your bit for the environment too.
WALK TO EXPLORE
Exploring your destination on foot is an amazing way to sneak in some exercise while traveling. Grab a map, get lost, get found, and take in the sights, smells, and sounds of where you are. You don’t have to head out on the trail to get a good day’s walking in. Skip the tube/metro/subway/underground and see the sights by foot! There are also plenty of walking sightseeing tours that can give you a great insight into the best attractions of many of the world’s major cities.
THINK WATER FIRST
Staying hydrated is also incredibly important for healthy travel, especially when flying. Whether you keep a handy reusable water bottle with you or pick up a water bottle as you travel, staying hydrated will not only help you feel better as you get on with your activities and keep your skin looking healthy too. Plus, dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and loads of other issues. It can also cause hunger, so bottoms up!
GO WITH YOUR GUT
A healthy gut can not only help travellers tolerate what they eat and drink, but it is also key for a robust and optimal immune system. No one wants to catch or come home with travellers flu!
If you aren’t a regular probiotic taker, consider taking a probiotic for a few weeks before departure, because it takes time to build up gut health and get you in the habit of remembering to take them.
Overall, eat fresh, local, whole foods whilst travelling and take full advantage of the local produce and foods native to the area, don’t be afraid of trying new things. Be sure to not let strict diets and thoughts get in the way of experiencing a trip of a lifetime!
