Healthy Holiday Travel Tips

Can you believe we’re actually talking about the holidays right now? Personally, I love the holiday season. I love the family time;  I love the gift-buying; I love all the feelings associated with the holiday season:. Who can argue with a solid dose of nostalgia, love, joy, charity, and a sense of “home?” At the risk of sounding really cheesy, I 100% get warm fuzzies. However, I’m also not ignorant to the stressors that surround the holidays. From diet insecurities to travel stress to financial pressure, the holidays can really weigh us down. In my current health coaching practice, and in my past experience in weight-loss counseling, I’ve witnessed how challenging the holiday season can be for my clients.  Here’s the thing…it should NOT be this stressful. What happened to “the most wonderful time of the year?” Enter, my Healthy Holiday Series. Over the next couple of months, I’ll be sharing some tips for having both a happy and healthy holiday season. What better place to start than, in my humble opinion, the worst part of the holidays: the travel. Unfortunately, long car rides, airport lines, and crowded terminals don’t necessarily align with #healthgoals. So how do we deal with a mentally and physically taxing travel situation?  Here are my top five healthy holiday travel tips. 

TOP 5 HEALTHY HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS

Pack some practical, healthy travel snacks:

Stop telling yourself that you just won’t eat anything while traveling. You know that the minute you’re in standstill traffic on I-95 or passing by the fast food pitstops in the airport, you’re going to wish you had something to eat. Eventually, panic mode will set in and that 5-year-old Honey Buns snack sitting on the shelf at the gas station will look mighty tempting. Just say no friend. Here are some of my favorite snacks to have on-hand:

• Veggies and portioned out hummus or single serve guacamole.
• Apples and/or bananas with a tablespoon of nut butter (I’d recommend having some sort of protein/healthy fat with the fruit to balance out the simple sugars).
• Portioned out nuts.
• RX bars, Quest Bars, Kind Bars, or Orgain Protein Bars A quick note on bars: aim for snack bars that are low in sugar. Most of the bars listed here are relatively low, with the exception of RX bars, mainly due to the fruit utilized in making them. RX bars are a great option for someone that prefers to limit the amount of ingredients and artificial sweeteners in their food options. 
• Portioned out popcorn (No..not the movie theatre butter kind). 
• Any of the snacks listed on this Healthy Snacks on the Go blog post.
• If you have a cooler:  single serve greek yogurt is a great option, as well. Again, just watch the sugars. I recommend buying a plain, unsweetened greek yogurt and adding some oats, stevia, or berries to it. 

No need to be a hero. Take advantage of rest stops and stay active:

• If you’re driving, schedule in a few rest stop breaks and get some walking in. 
• If you’re flying, consider arriving to the airport early and getting some extra laps in. PRO TIP: If your luggage is preventing you from walking through the airport, just suck it up and check the bag.
• Layover? Don’t just sit by your terminal waiting to board. Take a stroll through the airport.
• Remember, exercise is an effective form of stress management, keeps the blood flowing, and, of course, burns a few calories. The stress from traveling puts us all on edge. Move it so you don’t lose it, friends.

Download a podcast, book, or killer playlist:

Let’s face it; traveling, whether by train, plane, or automobile, is mentally taxing. Bring something that distracts you from the never-ending traffic, stuffy seats, or ignorant person that won’t stop kicking your chair. Personally, I like to bring something that’s mentally stimulating. Here are a few book recommendations for all my motivational-bookies out there: 

• Girl Boss: Great read for all those boss babes out there looking to start their own business 
• You are a Bad Ass: This is one of my all-time faves. Honestly, I’ve loved everything by Jen Sincero.
• Expecting Better: For all my moms-to-be out there, this is a MUST READ. There are a lot of “rules” and “assumed facts” associated with pregnancy, and Emily Oster really hones in on the statistical evidence that will help you make informed choices.
• Girl Wash Your Face: Admittedly, I have yet to read this but it’s in line for our next road trip in a couple weeks. The reviews speak for themselves on Amazon though.

Healthy “fast food” options DO exist:

It’s not always simple or easy to pack meals. I get it. However, you can plan ahead to figure out healthier options at either the airport or on the road. Something to keep in mind: fast food does tend to be high in sodium. When you combine that with a lack of exercise, number six becomes super important. Consider this a warning that you may experience some post-travel bloat and discomfort. Here are a few healthy “fast food” options. PRO TIP: Most fast food companies list ingredients and nutrition facts on their websites. Your choices will obviously depend on your own dietary needs and preferences. Check the website and make an informed decision. And always skip the extra sauces. 

1. Starbucks Egg white and turkey bacon breakfast sandwich (no cheese)
2. McDonalds Eggwhite Delight (no cheese)
3. Chick Fil A  grilled chicken nuggets and a side salad
4. Chick Fil A grilled chicken sandwich on a whole wheat bun
5. Chick-Fil-A: Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap
6. Chipotle Salad (Skip calorie-heavy rice, cheese, and guac).
7. Subway Turkey with Veggies sub on 9 grain bread

Question to my readers: Would it help for me to do a series of restaurant-based nutrition posts that detail healthier? From Starbs to Mickey D’s, there are modifications and choices you can make when you’re in a pinch. Trust me, I’m a pro.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate:

SO IMPORTANT. Consider this your permission to drink as much water as you want regardless of the number of potty breaks. You can direct your significant other my way if there are any complaints. First of all, dehydration symptoms can often mimic hunger symptoms. Before diving into your snack bag or begging your travel partner to pull into the nearest drive-through, take a minute to think about the last time you had some water. Second, travel conditions like long flights in dry cabins, can lead to dehydration; this can lead to a lot of less-than-pleasant physical symptoms. PRO TIP: Keeping your hydration levels high and your booze/coffee level low during flights will help avoid post travel bloating and constipation. I personally love to bring my Yeti with me when traveling. I’ve gone through a lot of water bottles friends, and I have yet to come across one that maintains temperature like this gem. 

There you have it. My top five tips on healthy holiday travel. What are some ways you try to stay mentally and physically healthy when traveling? I love hearing other coping mechanisms. Remember, we are all individual and it’s important to tailor your plan to your own preferences. Shameless plug alert: If you’re looking for a more personalized approach to managing the holidays and prefer NOT to wait until the over-rated “new years health rush,” I’m currently accepting new clients. For more information on my health coaching program, head here. If you’re just here for the baby hint, you’re in luck! Below is our latest hint for you (and a sneak peek into our maternity session). 

Baby Name Hint Number 4

Just because this blog isn’t pregnancy related doesn’t mean I’m going back on my word! For all my faithful readers out there, here’s your week 4 hint! As a reminder, comment or send me a message on any of my social media channels with your name guesses. If you guess his full name prior to his birthday, you’ll win a mystery prize (which I’ll be announcing in a few weeks). Without further adieu…

Baby Name Hint #4: His FIRST initial can be found within the first 8 letters of the alphabet (inclusive).  

Until next time,

Xtina