Eating Healthy When Traveling
About Me
Samantha McConnell
Date
Sep 21, 2019
Content
About Me
Eating Healthy When Traveling
The Douro River Porto Portugual
Eating healthy and delicious food when you are traveling doesn't have to be challenging. My husband and I recently visited Porto Portugual and we learned ways to embrace the local food cuisine and customs that aligned well with our health goals.
Before we left I made sure to pack some 'grab and go' snacks that could keep us sustained during our flights and also in our hotel room. What we wanted to avoid was getting so hungry that we would be easily tempted to make unhealthy choices and eat food that wouldn't keep us energized or feeling our best. So pack as many as you have room for. If you don't have much room don't stress, you can get local snacks once you arrive that may be new for you and fun to try.
Traveling Health Bite #1 ~ Hydration
It's very important to stay well hydrated when you travel. Be sure to drink water throughout the day especially when flying. Jet lag can be reduced or even aleviated by staying well hydrated. Avoid sugary drinks and consuming too much caffiene. You might want to invest in a collapsable water bottle that you can refill on the go and once you clear security at the airport. Carrying a container with you is an easy way to remember to drink your water💧
Traveling Health Bite #2 ~ Restaurants
Check out the local restaurants and their menus for healthier choices in the area(s) that you are visiting before you arrive. You can map out and make reservations ahead of time. Reservations may be required especially on the weekends when it's busier so you will want to check that out.
TIP ~ Schedule reservations before you leave on your trip. This can help reduce stress once you arrive and encourages healthier eating especially when you are hungry.
Traveling Health Bite #3 ~ Snacks
Pack as many snacks as you can fit in your carry on and suitcase that you are checking in. You never know when these may come in handy when there are not any other food options available. In Porto it is not uncommon for locals to eat dinner after 7 p.m. We were starving around 5 p.m. and couldn't find any restaurants serving food. Keep some snacks on hand like dehydrated and fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, nitrate free jerky and portable packets of nut butter to keep you nourished until your next meal.
Snacks to Pack and Buy Locally
*The organic oatmeal in a cup on the right was a winner for a quick and easy meal on the go. All you need is some hot water and we added some trail mix and fruit to complement. Organic soups in a cup are another healthy option but be sure to read the label on the sodium content as they can tend to be quite high. These are also great on the plane for a healthier meal option.
*Carrying portable tea bags are so easy and lightweight and most coffee shops are friendly and accomodating with their hot water.
*Nuts and seeds are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. They can sustain your energy and keep your hunger in check and satisfied thoughout your day. Dividing larger bags into smaller quantities makes it easy to take along with you when you are out and about.
*Visit the local markets and stock up on some local fruit and veggies. This was a life saver for us when we needed something nourishing and quick that we could easily take with us.
Visiting Local Markets For Healthy Snacks
Traveling Health Bite #4 ~ Eating Out
*When dining out, aim for protein and veggies without rich creamy sauces. In Porto omeletes are popular along with a salad so that was a favorite meal for us that was tasty, filling and healthy. Look for healthy local cuisine to sample which for us in Porto was their amazing seafood🦐
*Try to include veggies or fresh fruit with every meal. Make it a goal if you can to fill half your plate with veggies. This is a healthy strategy to implement so that you can eat and enjoy the local cuisine in smaller quantities. This can help you avoid overeating rich entrees and too much bread in the bread baskets🥖
*Share your dishes together. This is a fun way to get a chance to try more local cuisine and keep your portions within reason and avoid eating too much.
Local Seafood
Sharing Dishes Provides a Variety of Local Cuisine!
Make it a Goal to Fill Half Your Plate With Veggies🥗
Healthy and Delicious Local Seafood🍤
Portuguese Paella
Delicious Flash Frozen 100% Fruit Treat😋
Americano with a nata tart☕️
Hot Chocolate ~ Chocolate Quente (thick like pudding)❤️
Enjoying the Douro River🧜♀️
DO YOU ENJOY SIMPLE, NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS TREATS? DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START? CHECK OUT MY RECENTLY PUBLISHED SNACK COOKBOOK ON AMAZON!
SIMPLE & DELICIOUS SNACKS THAT LOVE YOU BACK!
*HOW TO SOLVE WHAT TO CHOOSE TO EAT WHEN IN A RUSH AND ON THE GO WITH NO TIME TO PREPARE.
*EASY, TASTY, AND HEALTHY SNACKS THAT ARE NOT ONLY GOOD FOR YOU, THEY WILL LOVE YOU BACK AND HELP YOU FEEL AMAZING!
*DIVIDED INTO 3 SECTIONS DEPENDING ON TIME FACTORS BEGINNING WITH NO TIME TO A LITTLE BIT OF PREPREP SO YOU CAN HAVE HEALTHY AND FLAVORFUL SNACKS ON HAND DURING YOUR BUSIEST DAYS😊
EVERY DAY IS A GIFT TO TREASURE, ENJOY AND TO THRIVE WITH HEALTH!
The First Wealth Is Health...
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Samantha McConnell
About Me
My passion about health started in my teens when I first hand saw the effects of how illness can wreck havoc in a family growing up with parents who had serious health issues. I too struggled with losing weight & developed an eating disorder that I was able to heal by educating myself on healthier habits. It’s amazing what our bodies can do when we learn to take care of them like God intended. These experiences & challenges fueled my passion to be a life long student in pursuit of learning how to create healthier lifestyles where one can thrive at their optimal best. As a mother of 3 children & a wife of a traveling husband, I quickly learned how to implement healthy habits on the go so that I could be my healthy best for my family. This has evolved into my health coaching business Thriving With Health where I coach people to integrate simple & fun healthy 'bites’ throughout their day even on their most busiest & challenging ones. You are never too busy to take care of your health & I can show you how. Everyone has busy lifestyles and living at their optimum best is not only doable but can be fun as well!
