It is summer, and if you have a vacation planned, you have probably been on a healthy regimen to get ready for that bathing suit, or to look cute in summer dresses. It can be so easy to just throw it all away once a buttered lobster and creme brulee is put in front of your face.
Here are some snacks that are easy for packing, and will help you to stay on track throughout the vacation. Don’t miss the tips towards the bottom on how to avoid swollen feet and ankles that can come from long traveling.
Hydration is very important when it comes to your weight loss (new science-backed research) goals. The hydration in your body helps to flush the weight off of your body.
Fluids –
If you are traveling by car, it is important to have a water bottle full of water for the trip, or another alternative is coconut water. If you are traveling by plane, coconut water has just recently been added to many of the newsstands in most airports. Coconut water is an electrolyte beverage without adding the sugar or calories. A natural version of gatorade that will keep you hydrated for your entire trip.
Fruits and Veggies –
These are high in water content, and you can get easily dehydrated while traveling without even realizing it. Use fruits and veggies that are easy to cut up and store like celery or carrot sticks for easy noshing. Another great take-along option are baby peppers. Fruits are great and easy to snack on a tupperware bowl of berries or even some fresh cut up pineapple. You want to take items that you can easily carry on your carry-on bag for a flight, or keep in a cooler for your car trip.
Nuts –
High in protein and easy to carry with you on the plane or for a long trip. Nuts are also low in carbs and high in monounsaturated fat that will work with the protein to keep your cravings to a minimum.
Hard-boiled eggs –
Easy to carry around, and even easier to snack on for some great protein. With zero carbs and 6 grams of protein for one egg, that can really keep you feeling full for the long trip. It also has 60 mg of potassium which is helpful to your muscles when you’re sitting for a long time in a car or on a plane.
Avoiding the dreaded swollen feet and ankles –
Since I have been in my 30s, I have noticed that if I travel on a plane for an extended period of time, that my feet and ankles will be swollen for two days afterwards. Some swelling is caused by fluid retention, but most of it is caused by blood pooling in your lower extremities. Being dehydrated can exacerbate swelling. To avoid that, make sure you try to
- Get up and walk (even if it is just to the bathroom) at least once and hour.
- Exercises at your seat – point and flex your toes, rotate each ankle both clockwise and counterclockwise. Perform small leg lifts and hold each lift for a few seconds.
- Drink lots of water. The climate control of airplanes, buses and trains can dehydrate you. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as well as overly salty foods
Great tips! Eating well and drinking enough is always hard for me for when I’m travelling. I’m the type that simply can’t skip meals (I have to eat every 3 hours), but that’s hard to do when you’re travelling and sometimes working with others’ schedules, so I always have a protein bar or 3 in my purse.
I remember dashing into the bathroom and eating a bar if it wasn’t the best time to eat… had to stay creative :)