ICYMI – this weekend is Labor Day weekend and many of you probably have plans for a weekend away or maybe even a day trip. If you prepare ahead of time and have the right strategies in your back pocket, you can manage to eat healthy while you’re on the go.
TIP #1: PACK FOOD TO GO
I’ve taken many road trips – whether it’s for a day or a weekend or even longer – and I’ve found that having healthy food readily available is crucial if you want to eat well on the go. One of the best gifts I ever got was a small cooler that was perfect for packing snacks and taking with me wherever I went.
If you’re traveling via plane, you can absolutely pack food (this was something I honestly didn’t know for the longest time) as long as it’s within the TSA guidelines.
So what kind of foods should be on your packing list? Think sandwiches, veggies and fruits, grilled chicken breast, jerky, protein powder or bars, and nuts and seeds.
TIP #2: AIM FOR BETTER, NOT PERFECT
Don’t let an all-or-nothing mindset fool you into thinking you can’t make healthy decisions on the road. It’s not about nailing it perfectly with always whole real foods home cooked and perfectly portioned. Sometimes it’s about getting creative at the nearest gas station convenience store by searching for items such as hard boiled eggs, dried fruit, string cheese, hummus, and so on.
Whatever your circumstances, simply focus on making the best possible decision you can. If we focus on what we can’t attain with our food choices, then we’ll get that f*ck it mentality and settle for less.
TIP #3: PLAN AHEAD
While it can be fun to be spontaneous, it can be helpful to do a little planning before you hit the road. Will you have a fridge or kitchen accessible where you are going? Is there a store with fresh foods nearby? Will you have time to eat whole meals or do you need to focus on smaller snacks? By assessing your upcoming trip, you can plan for strategies ahead of time which makes it easier to make decisions in the moment.
I like to have my clients set minimums – they’re the minimum goals they want to achieve that they feel is really doable given their plans. This helps them keep their health goals at the forefront and hold them accountable to following through.
A FINAL NOTE…
When all else fails, you can rely on the basic habits of eat when you’re hungry and only to 80% full. Whenever possible, see if you can get a balanced meal of protein, carb, fat, and vegetable.
Do you have a topic you want covered in next week’s Wellness Wednesday? Ask me here.
Coach Diana Leigh is a Precision Nutrition certified coach who uses habit-based coaching to help her clients get stronger and feel amazing in their bodies without the restriction and overwhelm of dieting. For more helpful tips, follow her on Instagram @coachdianaleigh.
How you can work with Coach Diana:
1:1 Nutrition Coaching: I take you from being dependent on diets to independently intuitive through building foundational nutrition habits and with personalized guidance on portion intake based on your goals for a stronger, leaner, or in general overall healthier body.
Nourish With Confidence Group Coaching: An 8-week group coaching program that helps active individuals create a healthy relationship with food + ditch dieting for good through foundational nutrition habits, balanced strategies, and high-level support.