I’ve just returned from the Dietitians of Canada annual conference where I presented a session on restaurant industry nutrition trends and had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across the country on the latest nutrition research. I also checked something off my bucket list. This was to walk the beautiful streets of old Quebec City AND sit down at a local restaurant and enjoy some real French food. While my favourite style of food is farm-to-table, California-meets-Tuscany, like all my travels, I enjoy whatever is local.
The best way to approach travelling for either work or pleasure is to think ahead and determine what your favourite non-negotiable guilty pleasures will be. I was clear that the top priorities were going to be finding a beautiful croissant, authentic poutine and enjoying desserts at the conference that were really worth it (aka actually tasted as good as they looked). This meant leaving some food on my plate when I was full, making healthy choices at the airport (despite being tired and wanting to eat comfort foods) and squeezing in a good amount of walking.
The next time you are travelling, and have to make choices, think about what is really worth it AND remember that healthy living CAN have a side of indulgence. You don’t need to eat perfectly.
I would love to hear your top suggestions on how you stay healthy on the road when you travel for work or are on vacation. Share your tips below.
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I make sure I pack food in the car, in a cooler if I can, so I don’t get too hungry and grab unhealthy food at the gas station. The cooler helps me eat yummy chilled food instead of not wanting to warm boring food. I do this while I am working too. My co-workers always think I am brilliant. I always say, “This ain’t my first rodeo. I have stood outside in the middle of no where before with no food in sight – I almost always pack a lunch now. and use my water bottle full of ice as a make shift icepack. And that gives me cold water when there is no water in sight either.”