Fat Free Travel

How to avoid the calories, sugar, salt, and expense of travel.

As I prepare to travel to the happiest place on earth with my little girl I want to avoid some of the issues we had just last week while traveling with the entire family.  The following is a how to list for those on the go who do not want to return home with extra baggage (on their butt that is). 

Step 1.  Eat before you go and eat at a normal time

Often we are in such a rush to get out the door we plan on catching a bite to eat while in route to either our destination or to the airport.  We always have our favorite places in mind.  Here is the problem, a little bite is always a full meal and because we stop at our favorite places we always eat too much and then after we eat too much we go sit in the car or on a plane for hours doing nothing!  Eat at home and eat before you go.  You will save many calories and money.

Step 2.  Pack a lunch

Pack a lunch, pack a snack, pack it, pack it, pack it.  For our trip to the Big D we are taking a cooler full of fresh snacks ready to eat, including crunchy carrots and sweet grapes.  Both foods will be able to satisfy my snacking needs while on the road.  This way I will avoid the dreaded craving to stop and buy chips or my favorite unhealthy treat (Milk Duds). 

Also pack plenty of drinks.  We rarely buy soda, but when traveling we often need to stop for water; this always leads us into temptation because the water coolers in the convenience stores are often located next to the candy and chip aisles.  My husband also loves energy drinks which are not healthy drinks, they are sugar and caffeine. Again there is the expense of buying water from a convenience store, it is better to bring your drink from home and save the money.

Step 3. Take your Shakeology to go

Did you know Shakeology can be purchased in handy dandy one serving packages?  Well it can.  Take it with you and if you want the same great blended shake you make at home, take a blender with you. 

I purchased this great little one serving blender at Target for $16 plus tax.  It is very small and light and can be taken in your carry-on luggage.  Lucky for all of us, all hotels have ice machines.

Step 4.  Take some healthy meals with you

Eating three meals a day out can get expensive quickly, especially for our family.  And then again there are the extra calories!!!  Along with your Shakeology, plan to pack and eat a few meals in your room, like breakfast. 

I pack organic instant oatmeal and cereal.  Most hotel rooms have a coffee pot in the room to heat water and you can bring milk with you for cereal or worst case order some from room service. 

I do pack bowls and spoons with me for these meals as well as some dish soap.



Step 5.  Extra snacks

Keep extra snacks handy for midnight cravings or snacks between meals.  I prefer Annie’s Organics snacks or Organic Kids Cliff Bars (for something sweet).For longer trips we have also invested in an electric cooler with car adapter. 

Step 6.  Meals Out

Try and avoid meals out if you can, especially if you are at the beginning of your weightloss journey.  But if eating out cannot be avoided make healthy choices while out. 

Do not eat appetizers unless it is a salad.  Salads should always have dressings on the side and avoid things like cheese and croutons on the salad.  Pay extra attention to your portion size.  Eat only half of any meal and do not take the rest home with you (left overs can be a horrible temptation in your hotel room just an hour later).  Avoid all fried and salted foods.  Also avoid foods with sauces or that come with a sauce.  Almost all sauces are high in fat and sugar (even ketchup).  And no desert!  If everyone else is having it, ask for a bite but do not get one for yourself.

If you need to, use your smart phone to look up the calories in each selection you are considering on livestrong.com  This may help you decide. 

You will find that to live a healthy life style you may have to plan ahead and be a bit more organized but your waistline will thank you.  Visit me at www.beachbodycoach.com/amycobine  For personal coaching text me at 360.609.4983  I am here to help you down a new path.