Return to site

Healthy Eating on the Go

· nutrition,health,wellness

One of the biggest struggles that people face today is a hectic schedule. We’re so busy that it makes eating healthy a real challenge. Quick and convenient foods end up taking the place of healthy, nourishing food when we’re on the go, go, go all the time. These less-than-ideal food choices put us on a hamster wheel experiencing low energy, weight gain, and potential health problems.

Good news, folks! It’s possible to eat healthy foods, even with a jam-packed schedule. It just requires a little bit of planning to ensure success. You’ll feel better, have more energy, and your waistline will thank you too. When you start fueling your body with healthier choices, you’ll probably also find that you don’t have that 3 PM slump or need that afternoon caffeine boost.

Hitting the road? Make a plan.

Whether you're looking at your day-to-day commute, a several-hour road trip, or a day of air travel, planning some healthy food options will make your trip even better—and better for you. Don’t wait until the point that you’re starving to make food choices, as this will almost always lead to bad decisions. Instead, plan ahead, so you don’t have to rely on your willpower alone to keep you on track. Pack easy-to-carry healthy snacks, and keep them in your bag or your vehicle. This way you always have healthy choices right at your fingertips.

Foods that are easy to pack.

The following items are all easy to prepare, and convenient to take on the go. Feel free to experiment, and find out which snacks best fit your preference and lifestyle. Mix and match options to see what works for you. Be sure to keep any perishable foods in a cooler or use an ice pack.

  • Baby carrots and cucumber slices with hummus
  • Sliced or whole apples with nut butter or sun butter
  • Clementine or mandarin oranges
  • Grapes
  • Sliced or whole pears
  • Smoothie (if you plan to drink it within 30 mins or so)
  • Nuts and raisins (you can make your own trail mix)
  • Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) and/or sunflower seeds
  • Whole Food Snack Bars (such as Larabar)
  • Sandwiches or wraps
  • String cheese or cheese cubes
  • High quality beef jerky
  • Cut-up rotisserie chicken (keep cool with an ice pack)
  • Hard boiled eggs
Make the most of technology.

There are a couple of apps that I find useful for tracking down healthy food on-the-go:

  • Find me Gluten Free helps you find gluten free restaurants near you.
  • Some standard  search and review sites (like Yelp and Zomato) allow you to use "healthy food" as a search term. Give it a try!
  • Food Tripping locates the closest eateries, juice joints, farmers’ markets, microbreweries, and more. 

Happy travels and healthy snacking!

by Cheryl Devine, "Health is Wealth"