Eating Well On The Go

Nutrition is just one component of a healthy lifestyle, but many would argue it’s one of the most difficult to manage. Trying to find the time, energy and creativity to make healthy meals at home can be quite a challenge. This prompts many individuals to look for cheap, convenient meals out on the town…hello fast food. Unfortunately, resorting to this type of pattern too often will likely have adverse effects on both your waistline and your health. That said, there are ways to eat healthfully when you’re on the road. Let’s review some basic tips that will help you make some better choices when you’re traveling.

It’s all about your mindset.
When eating out, too many people think of this as a time to splurge. For those that eat out once a week, this philosophy is pretty reasonable. However, when you eat out once a day, or even just a couple times per week, this attitude can be very problematic. In this situation, it’s important to have a healthy mindset regarding your food intake. In other words, you should make a conscious effort to minimize nutrients that may be unhealthy, especially things like sugar, fat and sodium. The levels of these nutrients are notoriously high in restaurant and convenience foods, so adjust and adapt as you go.

The first, and most important, decision.
When you’re trying to find a healthy meal on the go, where you eat is of utmost importance. Most people are savvy enough to know what constitutes a healthy meal and what doesn’t. It would be very easy to think that sit-down restaurants offer much healthier options compared to fast food restaurants, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Bottom line…you can find a healthy meal almost anywhere. The question you should be asking yourself is, “Do I need to change this meal to meet my standards for health?”

It’s gotta be the food.
What you eat (and how much) has a dramatic impact on your overall health and wellness. Restaurants, especially the sit-down variety, have a knack for serving copious amounts of rich, energy-dense foods. Thus, if health is your focus, the onus is on you to find good alternatives to the traditional restaurant meals. Focusing on whole grains, lean meat proteins and getting vegetables seasoned with herbs and spices would be a great start. Sticking with sandwiches and salads are also good options, though you need to be careful about the condiments, dressings and add-ons. Again, just be flexible and know that some changes are probably warranted.

Don’t forget the snacks.
If you’re looking to eat on the go, it is wise to focus on snacks as well as meals. String cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit, baby carrots, popcorn, trail mix and even edamame (soybeans in the pod) are all great ideas. Sports bars and meal replacement shakes work well too…it just depends on how hungry you are and what you have a taste for. Just remember, snacks are designed to hold you over until your next meal, not replace it.

We live in a very fast-paced, hectic world, so eating on the go is a reality for most people. The key is to be prepared, whether you’re bringing something from home or stopping somewhere on your way. A little nutrition knowledge goes a long way in helping to maintain your health as well. This isn’t rocket science…just use common sense and practice balance, variety and moderation on a daily basis.