Traveling can cause even the most dedicated, disciplined eater to stray off course.
Here’s a pretty natural unfolding of events. You arrive in a foreign city, and your body’s clock is off. You’ve been stuck on an airplane and taken the strong, bold step of avoiding snacks at the airport, assuming you’ll grab a meal first thing upon arrival. But you ate breakfast at 6:00 am and the flight was delayed ninety minutes. By the time your bags arrive and you’ve groggily thrown your gear into the rental car, it’s been seven hours since you received an injection of nutrition. You’re officially starving. You drive out of the airport and begin to pass the fast food. You’re strong enough to press on the gas pedal as you near the golden arches, keep going past Burger King, and then…fuck it. In a moment of weak crankiness, you’re in the Taco Bell drive through ordering 3 Cheesy Gorditas, a bean burrito and a Diet Pepsi. At least you were economical.
Here’s how I avoid this situation.
- The night before travel, grab a paper shopping bag and fill it with a piece of fruit, a bottle of water, organic beef jerky (I get mine at Trader Joe’s) or another easy protein source like a pre made chicken breast or hard boiled eggs, and some leafy greens like kale or spinach.
- The day you travel, wake up and drink tons of water. Make an effort throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Arrive at the airport 30 minutes earlier than you would normally. Spend the extra time “Yelping” natural food store choices in your destination cities. Find the most convenient option, and commit to making it your first stop from the airport. Buy food for your whole trip. I suggest convenient foods like bottled water, berries, prepared proteins like salmon, chicken, tuna etc., organic almond or peanut butter and avocado for healthy fats. With a variety of those foods, you can piece snacks and meals together. It is also more cost effective than eating out. Call your hotel ahead of time and have them put a small fridge in your room. Most budget hotels have them in the rooms already; more expensive hotels will likely accommodate your request.
- If you’re traveling by bus or taxi, you’ll need to be more efficient and pack that paper shopping bag with larger portions.
This takes a little dedication on the front end, but will make your life easier and healthier on the back end. Like anything else, these lifestyle choices take practice. I believe in you like you believe in me.
Kap
Kap, love the blog! I have lost 40 lbs since July and maintained through the holidays! Your blog has been a great rejuvenation in the new year! Great job!!
That’s great, Chris. Congrats on the 40!
I’m loving these posts, Gabe. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom and insights! I’m a middle-aged guy with no hope of ever being nearly as fit as you, but the lessons you’re providing will undoubtedly help me improve my general health and wellbeing. Your posts also help me validate the things I do well (real, whole foods, water and coffee only, no added sugars, healthy fats and proteins, etc.). I look forward to reading your posts each day.
Such a great compliment, Ron. Thanks very much.
gabe, have you seen the cook books put out by allen lim? he made his name for himself in the cycling world and now runs skratch labs. they’ve got 2 books out; one of them focused on portables (in fact, it’s called that). the recipes are designed for endurance athletes to eat as an alternative to products like clif bars. most of the recipes are high in carbs but there’s a lot of them that are more balanced. after reading this it dawned on me that some of those foods would be great in situations like what you’ve described here.