Whether a plant based diet has been a part of your lifestyle for years or you’re just dipping your toes in this new diet, it’s important to maintain healthy, practical habits while traveling. If your plant based diet prevents you from traveling on a whim or you find yourself getting lax with your diet when you’re away, we’ve got a few tips to reel you back in and keep you on track while you’re abroad!
Take Advantage of Local Produce
One of the biggest perks of traveling is that no matter where you go, you’ll have plenty of local produce to indulge in! You may even discover some new fruits and veggies that you can add to your plant based repertoire! Call your hotel (or other accommodations) prior to your trip to ask if there’s a mini fridge in your room. Having a fridge at your disposal will make it easy for you to pick up fruits, veggies, herbs and spreads that fit into your diet.
Pack Smart
Make the most of your packing and prepare yourself with nutritious snacks that will keep you nourished and satisfied! When you’re traveling, you don’t always have the convenient luxury of having plant based snacks right around the corner. Arm yourself with healthy meals and mini snacks that you can easily put together. Ayurveda expert and celebrity nutritionist, Kimberly Snyder, recommends packing all of the essentials to whip up a healthy smoothie when you’re on the go. She says, “I always travel with pretty much everything I need for a simplified power protein smoothie: my smoothie shaker bottle, individual packets of sprouted vegan protein powder, chia seeds, bee pollen, and maca. It will be thinner without the blended banana or açai, but that’s okay! You’ll still get over 20 grams of plant-based protein, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals, and more.”
Pack Supplements
At the root of your health and wellness is your digestion and gut health. When you’re traveling these areas tend to become sensitive and out of balance. It’s important to keep probiotics on hand that will keep your gut healthy Look for a probiotic that you don’t have to refrigerate such as SBO Probiotics.
To keep your digestive system in check, don’t leave home without digestive enzymes! When you’re eating abroad, chances are your digestive tract will take a hit. You’ll be eating on a different schedule, possibly eating more, and trying out all sorts of new and exciting foods. Digestive enzymes will make it easier for you to digest these foods, and it will help you knock out what you don’t need in your system- making it less lively for you to get backed up and bloated.
Do Your Research
Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean that you’re restricted to dining at vegan restaurants. When you’re visiting restaurants feel free to ask about veggie options! You may be surprised to find that many eateries are happy to accomodate you. Some places may even make vegan-friendly swaps that fit your diet. It’s also a good idea to ask questions about animal-based broth, fish and shrimp sauce.
When you’re traveling, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to eat! These tips will help you stay on track, stay healthy and fueled, and make the most out of your travels!
