Healthy Holiday Travel

By Shauna Johnson

The holiday season is upon us, which means lots travel, unhealthy food, memorable moments, and our famous excuses such as, ”I’m traveling, there are no healthy options!” and “I’ll work it all off when I get home.” A typical American may gain upwards of 15 pounds during the winter months, including holidays. Why put you and your body through this when there are simple tips and ways around the holiday bulge?

Whether you travel by plane, train, or automobile, the only things moving are the means of transportation.

When traveling by car, I suggest the following tips:

–       Stop to eat instead of sitting in the car and going through the drive-thru.  For the budget conscious, this doesn’t have to be at a restaurant, there are some great sandwich shops that offer healthy and affordable meals!

–       Take a break from the long drive and walk around for 10-15 minutes, this short amount of time can be a great benefit to your health.

–       For close destinations, pack a picnic.  This is a great way to get the family involved and find a great place to pull over and eat on the way.

When traveling by train:

–       Get up, walk around and stretch as much as you can.

–       Bring snacks to avoid over eating the full, typically, unhealthy foods trains provide. Trail mix and nuts are some of the best options to bring!

–       Bring a book! The train is the perfect place to relax and stimulate your mind.

While traveling by plane:

–       Power walk in the airport! Don’t worry, you won’t look weird, usually others who are late to their flights are doing the same so you’ll fit right in!

–       Make sure you plan ahead.  If you are traveling internationally check to see if they offer a vegan menu or bring your own food to eat that you know you’ll enjoy.

–       Snack frequently, never allowing yourself to over eat or binge at one sitting.

–       Keep alcohol to a minimum while traveling, as well as caffeine, and sodium. All tend to dehydrate the body, and while flying it is important to stay hydrated, plus it helps prevent the dreaded jet lag!

 

With these simple tips, you can help keep the pounds off while traveling this holiday season! Remember, being prepared is the key to traveling success!

 

 

 

 

Shauna Johnson is a Culinary Instructor at Wellspring Weight Loss Camps. (www.wellspringweightloss.com)  Shauna has a passion for healthy living, including living and cooking a healthy diet.  She has been the head instructor for flagship Wellspring Academy of California for four years, and has designed the curriculum for Wellspring Camps around the globe.