How to lose weight on a road trip
You would plan your route (before GPS anyway) so why wouldn’t you plan your food? I think we’ve all been there - you think “ I eat a fairly healthy diet at home, so I’m sure I’ll be able to locate at least a few nutritious options on the road!”
Sure enough though - that only lasts for a short 5 hour trip at most.
So instead - bring your own foods as much as you can, and learn how to get the best options when you are already underway.
Prepare Meals or Snacks the Day Before
Mornings can be hectic when you’re rushing to leave on a trip, so save time by preparing your meals and snacks the day before. Once you’re done, consolidate perishables into one bag in the refrigerator (that will go into a cooler) and everything else into a separate bag already in the car or by the door.
TIP: Put a reminder note near your luggage or car keys so your food isn't left behind.
I personally love a tuna or chicken salad when I’m traveling. Even better - pack it in disposable Tupperware like an old cottage cheese container.
Check out my Bento Meal ideas blogpost for more road trip meal ideas!
To-Go Breakfast Ideas
Greek Yogurt with Berries
Hard Boiled Eggs
Cottage Cheese with Fruit
Overnight Oatmeal
Grab n Go Breakfast Boxes (see below)
Overnight Oats
Overnight oatmeal can be prepared in several ways. One example is oats, protein powder, chia, flax and almond milk. Simple, yet tasty. You can add toppings to these as you use them. Berries, pbfit, bananas are all delicious with this recipe. These can be prepared and saved for up to 3 days in a cooler.
Make a Grocery Trip
Visit the grocery or health food store to buy food for meals and snacks on your trip. To save time on preparation, look for items in snack-size or individual packages that can be tossed into your snack bag or a cooler.
Healthy Snack and Light Meal Ideas for Road Trips:
P3 Portable Protein Packs
Apple Slices with Nut Butter
Tuna Snack Packs
Hummus and Baby Carrots or Celery
Greek Yogurt with Berries
Pre Mixed Protein Shake
Sandwiches or Wraps
Rotisserie Chicken
Protein Bars
Cottage Cheese
String Cheese
Jerky
Hard Boiled Eggs
Babybel Cheeses
Fruits and Veggies! So many already come “prepackaged” and ready to eat after a quick rinse
Bring a Cooler
If you’re bringing perishables or want your beverages chilled, a cooler or insulated bag is a must. Keep in mind that coolers only keep things cold for so long in warm or hot weather, so if you’re bringing foods with meat, dairy products or anything else that could spoil, plan to eat those foods early on in the day.
Some hotels along the way may have options to provide you with a refrigerator, and all have ice makers. Make sure you load those coolers up with ice to keep your food fresh longer.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking enough water is vital for staying healthy and feeling good. Water helps with digestion, fights fatigue and can prevent headaches caused by dehydration. I recommend getting a charcoal water bottle that filters for you so you don’t need to use disposable bottles but also don't need to rely on water bottle refill stations.
To help with hydration on those travel days you can enhance the flavor with things like Crystal Light, Mio or True Lime, Lemon, Orange or Grapefruit.
Alcohol
Rules of thumb: remember every other.
1: Water or other virgin beverage between every alcoholic drink. This will help you drink less, spend less, and feel better the next day.
2: Keep drinking to alternating days if on a longer trip. You will feel so much better by giving your body a chance to recover!
Keep Walking!
When you stop for a potty break, try to go to a rest stop and get in a 10 minute walk. This will help keep you from getting cramped legs, and also keep your digestive system moving.
Get a walk before you leave in the morning each day. This could be just loading up the car, or an actual walk, or both. Several 5-10 minute walks throughout the day really can add up. If you have a step tracker, aim for a minimum of 4,000 steps as a benchmark.
Rest
Vactations are fun and exciting! Sometimes vacations can be stressful. It can be hard to keep on a schedule and squeeze in every activity that your group wants to do in a day. Remember rest is extremely important for optimal health and wellness.. Try not to overbooked your days with too many activities. Pencil in time for meditation, relaxation and time for yourself. Read a book, take a walk, or do something that does not require too many time restraints. Vacations are meant to be fun and relaxing. Remember to make those memories that will stay with you forever.
And most importantly - have a fun and safe drive!
