What are the Best Foods to Stay Healthy During Travelling?

Selecting the best foods to stay fit while travelling can be quite challenging. It can even get harder if you are a foodie. You’ll need a lot of willpower to stick to a healthy diet, as the local cuisines are pretty inviting. Moreover, the hunger pangs during travel are motivating enough to make you fall for tempting local foods despite your aim to stick to a healthy diet.

We know there is no fun in not fulfilling your belly’s wishes, yet here we are explaining the best foods to stay healthy while travelling. But trust us, with these food options, your metabolism will work alright and you’ll not suffer from any food-related illnesses.

This guide also includes a bonus section to take care of your health while on religious trips.

The 6 Best Foods to Stay Healthy While Travelling

1. Steamed Vegetables

You need a feeling of fullness and quick digestion to avoid bloating while travelling. Hence, steamed vegetables can be a great option, as steaming veggies ensure that they retain their freshness, vitamins, minerals, and proteins compared to other cooking methods. The best part is that you don’t need to add extra oil or ingredients for steaming vegetables. To get the taste right, you can add a pinch of salt, black pepper, and paprika. The only issue with steamed vegetables is that you’ll have to prepare them beforehand and pack them in travel-safe boxes.

2. Brown Rice

Looking to boost up your energy while travelling with a small portion meal? Brown rice is what you need. They are full grains that contain complex carbohydrates, required for consistent energy levels. They are also loaded with fibre, vitamins, and magnesium. All of these things are essential to promoting digestive health. Compared to their white counterpart, brown rice has a lower glycemic index and helps keep blood sugar levels stable. 

3. Egg Salad or Sandwich

Eggs are a vital protein source, and a homemade salad or sandwich made from them can give you the much needed energy boost during long road trips. Eggs are free from fats or sugar, and they are loved by everyone. They are also great for the little ones accompanying you. One good thing about eggs is that they are available literally everywhere in the world, whether you are eating at a 5-star hotel, a Michelin-starred restaurant, or a roadside eatery. 

4. Tofu

What to do if you are a vegan or a vegetarian? Don’t worry, there are plenty of options that are light on stomach but still deliver a powerful punch of energy you need to keep going while travelling. One such option is tofu. It is commonly available in big grocery stores and is an excellent source of complete protein with ample amounts of iron, copper, manganese, and fiber. Apart from Tofu, vegans and vegetarians can have dry and fresh fruits, veggies, protein bars, and yoghurt (made from almond or cashew milk).

5. Fresh Fruits

What’s better than having a bowl full of fresh fruit on the go? Fruits are easily available, convenient to eat, provide a lot of energy and hydration, and, above all, are extremely tasty and fulfilling. A bowl full of fresh fruit is much better than a burger. Fruits are low in calories and high in dietary fibre, which helps keep the metabolism working and ensure you don’t have a bad stomach during your trip. Plus, going for fruits allows you to try different types of fruits that are locally grown in different parts of the country you are visiting. 

6. Tuna Fish Meal

You need good immunity while travelling, and the foods you eat play a vital role in it. One food that you can consume to beef up your immunity levels is tuna. It is rich in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamin C, zinc, and lean protein. However, it is better to opt for baked or grilled tuna rather than the fried one to avoid extra fats and calories. 

Bonus Section: Religious Tourism and Importance of Proper Diet

There are some specific types of trips where people can’t eat for a certain time of the day.

For example, Muslims do Umrah in Ramadan while fasting. Fasting is the practice of abstaining from eating or drinking from dusk till dawn. Since all Umrah rituals are performed outdoors and can drain a pilgrims’ energy, it is essential to consume high-energy foods during Suhoor (dusk-time meal).

Some people do Umrah after Iftar, which is a meal to break the fast at sunset. It must consist of a healthy diet consisting of dates, water, fruits, and milk. These things are light on the stomach but loaded with energy and keep you going for a long time without letting you get tired. 

Similarly, Christians visit Vatican, a city-state enclaved within Rome, Italy. Although there is no restriction to fast while visiting the holy sites there, you still need to eat only healthy foods to stay healthy during your excursion.

Two Important Tips on Healthy Eating While Travelling

1. Drinking enough water is vital during travelling to stay healthy. Either you are travelling by car, train, plane, or ship, staying hydrated is essential.
2. Never skip your breakfast. A fulfilling and healthy breakfast will set you up for the day. So looking for hotels and lodges that offer complimentary breakfast is a good idea while travelling. However, it is up to you to select healthy items for your morning meal. Fresh fruits, oats, eggs, yoghurt, peanut butter, protein shakes, smoothies, and coffee are the best options.

Healthy Food Options During Road Trips

It is easy to fall for snacks from gas stations and local food points during a road trip. After all, they are tasty and convenient, but they are costly and loaded with sugars and many unhealthy ingredients. Instead of relying on looking for food options while travelling, packing your supplies before leaving is a great idea. Here is a list of some snacking options to keep you going during a road trip.

• Veggie chips
• Applesauce
• Unstated nuts
• Popcorn
• Protein bars
• Peanut butter sandwiches
• Fresh veggies, fruits, and Greek yoghurt (purchase them fresh from a grocery store or store some in a cooler)

Healthy Snacking Options for Train Stations and Airports

There are tens of fast food joints at almost all the famous airports and train stations in the world. It is easy to get swayed and fall for these tasty and juicy snacks, but these things can give you heartburn and bloating during your journey. So, we recommend to stay away from them, and if you can’t, wait at least till you reach your destination. Here are some of the best options to treat yourself while waiting for your train or plane.

• Fruit cups made with fresh fruits and garnished with nuts
• Low-fat Greek yoghurt
• Fresh veggies
• Oatmeal
• Peanut butter sandwich

The Wrap-up

Eating healthy while travelling can be quite challenging, as the local cuisines are very inviting. They are the highlight of most trips, as people want to experience different tastes and indulge in local gastronomy. We don’t stop you from trying these foods and enjoying your trip to the fullest but recommend you eat wisely and ensure that your health always comes first while picking meals.