During the summer months especially, it seems like we find ourselves in the car more. Whether we are on vacation, camping, or visiting a neighboring town. Getting out of our routine and away from home can make it hard to stay on track with eating healthy.

It’s essential, though, not to stray too far from your healthy eating habits so that you don’t completely undo everything you’ve worked so hard for the previous months. That’s why you’ll almost always find me traveling with a bottle of water and a traveling smoothie.

Even floating down a river, I’ve got my smoothie packed with my cooler with apples, strawberries, and carrots with peanut butter.

So here’s what I do to stay on track even during the summer: some simple planning before we leave, carefully packing and prepping what we need so I’m ready when anyone is hungry or thirsty. Plus some simple tips and tricks to keep you calm and relaxed, so it’s more likely you’ll stick to your plan.

Simple things to plan and do before you leave

• Take the time to research the area you’ll be traveling to and what options they may have available to you to help keep you on track. Then, list the places you’d like to visit and schedule when you plan to eat at that restaurant.
• Plan to take extra water & snacks inside the vehicle, so they are within reach. I can’t tell you just how important this one step is. 
• Decide what food you’d like to pack in a cooler or what food doesn’t need refrigeration that you can pack and eat on the road instead of eating out. Hint: this can also help save a ton of money!
• If possible, stay somewhere with a kitchenette, whether it’s a condo, airbnb, or hotel. 
• Take your kitchen with you and do what we love doing…go camping where you can grill or cook inside if you have a camper.
  
  

Things to take with you

• Be sure everyone has a refillable water bottle with them so that you can stay hydrated and feel your best. Also, sometimes when we think we are hungry, we are actually just needing some water. 
• Pack your larger containers of extra water, and keep at least one handy. I love stainless steel containers because they will keep the water colder longer. Plus, it won’t have the plastic taste you sometimes get if you leave a plastic water bottle in a hot car.
• Pack snacks that don’t need refrigeration, such as fruit, nuts, trail mix, nut butter, protein bars, or other healthy favorite foods.
• Take a cooler with some ice packs, or better yet, fill a couple of large containers with water and freeze them. It will help keep the cooler cold and provide more water when it thaws. 
• Pack your cooler with fruits/veggies already cut up (it makes them super handy), hummus to dunk your veggies in, jar salad with everything already prepared, or any other healthy foods you like to eat.
• Blend a smoothie with protein powder and take it with you. If you put it in an insulated container, it’ll stay cold, or you can throw it in the cooler to keep it cold even longer.
  
  

Tips & tricks to staying healthy while traveling beyond your hometown

• Get plenty of sleep because when you’re tired, it makes it harder to make good decisions about eating healthy.
• Include some self-care and do things that bring you joy. When you’re happy, you’re more apt to make good choices that align with your wellness goals.
• Celebrate and make memories with the ones joining you (or, if alone, treasure yourself and your uniqueness).
• Watch your portion sizes when indulging in your favorite things.
• Be cautious of the number of times you indulge in unhealthy foods/drinks, and be sure to plan for them so that it’s a conscious decision and not one made out of boredom or because you’re tired.
• Do some deep breathing to reduce your stress. Often when we are stressed, we tend to eat more and not be as mindful of the quantity or quality of what we eat.
• Avoid stopping at fast-food restaurants to use the restrooms. 
  
  

So, whether you’re traveling down the road or floating down the river, it’s important to be prepared and have a plan yet still enjoy your trip.