Eating nutritiously and staying active can be hard anytime, but when you're on a road trip it seems even harder. Not only are you stuck sedentary in a car for hours but most of the food options around aren't the best. Fast food is abundant but leafy greens are not. I just traveled 1,700 miles in four days and let me tell you, I was happy to get home and back to my normal eating. But I also had a lot of fun on the trip and you should too! So i'm sharing my top five tips for feeling your best on the road.
- Stay hydrated!! In the car this can be a toughy because more water means more rest stops. But hydration is so important for your body so choose hydration and embrace the opportunity to stretch your legs at those truck stops.
- Pack some smart snacks. You're bound to get hungry in the car and you're also going to get bored and if you're like me, you like to eat when you're bored. Having some healthy snacks on hand is a great idea. My favs: fruit (apples, sliced melon, berries), popcorn, luna bars.
- Don't bring the bad stuff in. What I mean by this is, if you're going to eat something a bit more indulgent, don't bring it back to the car or at least choose portion controlled amounts. Stop at a candy store? Buy a few pieces and eat it there, don't fill a whole bag and bring it in the car. Unless you have incredible will power, you'll most likely end up with your hand at the bottom of the bag. Want chips? Get a small snack size bag.
- Squeeze exercise in. For me, this meant waking up half an hour early and going for a run or going to the hotel gym. I also challenged myself to do 10 squats at every rest stop. Just get your body moving, you won't regret it.
- Have fun! Traveling across the country can be a lot of fun and you should enjoy the company you have, the sites and new food opportunities and not stress too much. It's all about balance!