It’s tough enough to navigate around sugary treats at home (especially during the holidays!). But when you’re on the road – whether visiting relatives just a car ride away or traveling far abroad for work – the uphill battle to stay balanced becomes even more challenging. You have to factor in the availability of nutrient-dense food options at your final destination, as well as fight the urge to completely derail because “you’re on vacation.” Taking a break from your everyday reality doesn’t mean you can’t take your Paleo eating habits to go. Before you shrug your shoulders and decide there’s no chance, consider a few key planning tricks to land you in the right mindset when you, well…land.
Here are five eating and exercise tips to help you stay on your healthy Paleo path:
- Eat more fat, fewer carbs and fast.
Consuming more water, avoiding carbohydrates from sugar (even from too much fruit) and implementing some intermittent fasting will help you avoid blood sugar spikes and dips. Focusing on getting more of the healthy fats (omega-3s and monounsaturated fats) in your diet will help keep you feeling satiated between meals, while cutting carbs is a wise way to avoid energy crashes. By maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, you are more likely to make healthier eating choices throughout the day, which may lead to you eating less overall. Also, if you can, try fasting on one of your slower days. Scientists are uncovering evidence that short periods of fasting, if properly controlled, could achieve a number of health benefits, as well as potentially helping with weight loss, according to the BBC (1). - Keep moving.
Did work take you to Chicago in the dead of winter? Maybe you can’t hit the trails like you do at home in Colorado, but you don’t need to hibernate. Yes, your workout may be different. A little variety may be just what your muscles want! Choose any form of exercise you think will be doable and enjoyable. Maintaining a level of activity will help keep your metabolism from going on vacation. Plus, continuing your exercise routine while you’re gone will help you stay motivated and mentally strong to make smart food choices – even when those new-city temptations feel like they’re swallowing you up. - Eat strategically.
Speaking of new cities…If you’re visiting a new place and want to partake in the regional cuisine, go for it! There’s one caveat: research first to find the most authentic places so you can plan accordingly. Make that dining experience the one you indulge a little. Have the wine or flourless chocolate torte, rather than absentmindedly chomping on bites here and there. Being present and really enjoying that something special makes it that much more decadent. And by planning for it, you can skip the guilt. - Travel with your go-tos.
Got a picky eater on the road with you? Having some portable basics in your arsenal can be lifesavers. Your travel snack stash should be full of handy foods that are high in protein and fat, but low in sugar. Single-serve packets of coconut oil or a handful of raw walnuts may do the trick. If you need something with more flavor, Epic Nutrition Protein Bars are made with grass-fed meats and come in a variety of flavors. In a pinch, these types of snacks will help stabilize your blood sugar until it’s time for your next meal. - Rest easy.
Take this one to heart. If it’s past midnight when you check into your hotel and you have a meeting early the next morning, skip the treadmill workout for more sleep. That goes for any travel schedule you may have. When sleep is compromised by late bedtimes, find a way to work in a workout later in the day. In the meantime, walk as much as you can. Once you’re feeling all caught up on your Zzzzz’s, hit the gym for some high-intensity speed work.
By being strategic and remaining flexible, traveling with your healthy morals will feel effortless.
(1) The Power of Intermittent Fasting.” BBC News. BBC, 05 Aug. 2012. Web. 18 Jan. 2017.