Is this really that big a deal? I will just eat what I want to, what I can get on the road, won’t I? Why should I worry about eating, when I want to just have fun?
These are some common reactions running through your mind, when you read the ‘title’ and these reactions are well-warranted. However, there have been plenty of cases wherein traveling has wreaked havoc on many a tourist’s tummy and overall health, so it pays to be careful.
After all, you don’t want health to play spoilsport while you are traveling, do you? And the truth is, you really don’t have to take tough decisions when you eat. You must only be pragmatic in your eating choices.
Here are 5 things you must do, if you want to eat right when you travel:
1. Treat Breakfast Seriously
Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day? Well, the opinion varies. However, you need to get a good breakfast inside of you, when you travel. Typically, many hotels provide a complimentary breakfast to guests and you must make the most of it.
There are times when you are traveling on a budget, and it might not have place for a satisfying lunch or dinner. There might also be case wherein you might not have access to quality food options, come lunch time. In such cases, a hearty breakfast is your best bet. So, don’t avoid it.
2. Snack Often
The idea here is to not go hungry at any given point of time. This might lead to symptoms like light-headedness, dizziness, irritability and more; symptoms that you would like to stay away from while traveling.
So why not pack some ready-to-eat snacks in your knapsack when you travel? This tip comes handy, especially when you are traveling with kids. Snack bars, nuts, dried fruit, homemade trail mix, or just a collection of off-the-shelf snacks are just some of items you can much on, when you travel.
Remember, you need to keep your energy levels up when you travel. Snacks, and that too the right snacks, will help keep you energized (in a worst-case scenario – at least your stomach will feel full all the time).
3. Drink Lots of Water – Keep Hydrated
Dehydration is something you can do without when you are traveling and here’s the thing, water isn’t just a hydrant but can also be a great energy booster. It also flushes toxins and waste from your body. But be very careful of the water you drink. If clean drinking water isn’t easily accessible, buy bottled water. Fresh juices, whenever available are a great substitute for water, if you are ‘bored’ of drinking water.
4. Avoid Foods that Will Leave You Feeling Sick
There are some foods that look good from the outside, but their ingredients mean you aren’t going to feel too good about yourself, when you consume them. These are the kind of foods your body will crave on the road, but you should fight against such cravings.
So, what are these foods?
Sugary snacks, deep-fried food, aerated sugary drinks, a range of packaged baked goods are just some of the foods you must stay away from while traveling. Many of them are packed with chemicals that your body cannot metabolize, which leads to problems. There might be occasions when you have no choice, but to eat these foods, but don’t make it a habit.
Always search for better options.
5. Don’t Eat Raw Food Unless Absolutely Sure of Quality
I understand, you might have your dietary preferences and as such raw food in your diet isn’t a bad idea. But, you might get sick if you are not careful.
Here’s a situation for you – Say you are walking along a street and come across a vendor selling watermelon. It’s hot, and your eyes light up seeing the watermelon. You go straight ahead, buy a piece and eat it.
But, hang on a second.
Did you check the hygiene quotient of the vendor’s stall and the knife used for cutting a piece of the melon? What about flies? Did you see any flies around the fruit? What about the stall’s hygiene? These are just some of the things you must consider while consuming raw food while traveling.
This isn’t to say don’t eat raw food; exercise caution when you do so.
Conclusion
These are just some of the eating decisions that will ensure you stay healthy throughout the trip. These decisions are not difficult to make, and you must just exercise a great deal of care while consuming food, while traveling.
