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It seems like you’ve been waiting an eternity for this vacation, and you’ve planned everything down to the letter: your budget, your time. Your health regime is on point and you’re looking great and feeling even better. You’re primed for the trip of a lifetime, but you don’t want your holiday to erase all the gains you’ve made in your health and your finances. So, when you’re traveling, how do you continue to eat healthy without busting the bank?
Separating the Myth from the Reality
The common assumption today is that junk foods are not only more convenient, but they’re also less expensive. If you’re looking at upfront costs, that may be true. After all, higher quality, direct-from-the-farm products are more expensive to produce than highly processed packaged goods made with inferior ingredients. In fact, current estimates suggest that substituting healthy foods in place of lower-quality foods could account for a rough increase of 35-40% in the total food budget for most lower-income families.
However, upfront costs only tell part of the story. According to current estimates, obesity and obesity-related illnesses account for nearly $200 billion annually in treatment costs and reduced productivity. Because a single serving of processed or fast food can contain as much fat, salt, and sugar as the average adult should consume in an entire day, transitioning to healthier options can significantly reduce a person’s medical costs while minimizing missed workdays.
A Gut Feeling
Nutritious eating not only improves your physical health and overall productivity, but it also provides a host of emotional and psychological benefits — and it all starts with your gut! A diet rich in fiber, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats will help you to cultivate your digestive system’s microbiome. These are beneficial bacteria that can reduce inflammation and promote the release of mood-boosting hormones and neurochemicals, such as dopamine. This not only supports mental clarity, but it also helps you manage stress and reduce anxiety.
Eating Healthy and Cheap on the Road
Traveling on a budget doesn’t give you license to dive head-first into barrels of salty chips and vats of processed cheeses, although that might be what traditional American-road tripping culture has taught you from a young age. You can still eat heartily on the road without making the fast-food drive-thru your new best friend — and the easy first step is to simply plan ahead. Stock up on spices and savory produce such as garlic, onions, lemons, and limes that are inexpensive, easy to store, and pack loads of flavor.
The next step is to do your research. You can find tons of quick, healthy, and inexpensive recipes that travel well. So whether you’re working with a hotel kitchenette or a humble camp stove, with a little pre-planning and commitment, you can still enjoy inexpensive and nutritious meals without skimping on taste or cutting into your vacation fun time.
Hit the Road (Literally)
We know, we know. It’s your vacation. You’re traveling to ideally escape from life’s responsibilities for a while, not to take on more of them, right? Well, we’ve got you covered there, too. Protecting your wallet and your nutrition while you’re vacationing doesn’t mean you can’t let loose and have fun at all— just the opposite! It’s totally fair to plan ahead for a couple of indulgent breakfasts, a sumptuous dinner or two, and have your favorite cocktails and spirits. Live a little and have no regrets.
But after you do, take extra care to be kind to your body. Taking a long jog, for instance, will not only help you burn off those excess calories, but you’ll also feel physically and mentally better. Best of all, you’ll have a chance to discover the beautiful sights of your favorite vacation spot!
The Takeaway
Many people think that eating healthy and eating “cheap” is an either/or proposition and that traveling on a budget means going whole hog on the junk food. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can still eat high quality, nutritious foods without breaking your budget or missing out on your travel fun. All it takes is a bit of strategy and a solid commitment.
By stocking up on your most flavorful seasonings, you can have all the quick and delicious meals you want. Plus, adhering to your healthy eating plan means you’re going to feel physically and mentally better throughout your trip. More so, adding a bit of exercising, such as jogging, will not only increase those good feelings but will also give you another opportunity to explore and enjoy all the sights around you. Best of all, eating well for most of your meals means that when you do decide to indulge, you can do it without the guilt!
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