7 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling & Healthy Snacks on the Go

It's that time of year again. The kids are out of school, the weather is gorgeous and you're ready to pack up and take a vacation. I can hear the beach calling my name right now.

Costa Rica anyone?

This is a picture from the boat of the sunset cruise in Tamarindo when I went a few years ago.

I wish I was there right now!

Maybe next year. But, when you do set off on vacation especially when its a road trip, how do you continue to eat healthy and stick to your clean diet? I know I certainly don't stop at road side McDonald's among other gross fast food stops and eat greasy food, but unfortunately, most of the time that's all there is to be found. It seem's like no one is looking out for the mindful eater. Let's face it, fast-food restaurants are called fast-food for a reason, the food is almost always full of bad fats, high levels of sodium,preservatives, artificial flavours, and empty calories -and let's not forget about portion distortion. Even their "healthy options" aren't exactly nourishing.

That's why I'd like to share with you today my favourite healthy travel tips and tricks and also some great snacks that are portable and easy to take with you while you're on the go.

With a little bit of effort and planning you'll be on your way.

Tips and Tricks to Stay Healthy While Traveling:

• Start your day by eating breakfast and avoid excess sugar. This will get your metabolism going first thing.
• Drink plenty of water.  I can't underestimate the importance of this one. It keeps you hydrated, keeps your body running smoothly and also helps to detox.
• Pack a cooler with healhty food before you leave home. 
• Find the local grocery stores or farmers markets. Summer is a great time to hit up the local farmers markets and almost every community has one. You can pick up fresh fruits and pre-cut veggies, and stock-up your hotel mini bar with them.
• Choose healthy options while dining out. Being on vacation doesn't mean you have to splurge at every meal. Eat like you would if you were enjoying a meal at home. Enjoy your time with the people you are dining with.
• Incorporate some fun activities for exercise. Take walks on the beach with your family as a way to start or end the day, find bike or hiking trails, explore the area by foot. The list can be endless!
• Enjoy and indulge in a treat. Everyone loves a good ice cream, and eating out at restaurants is all part of the fun of going on vacation so don't beat yourself up about it, just be mindful and keep a balance. Have something you really want and enjoy every bite. Have fun and relax, you will get back to your regular clean eating when you get home.

Healthy Snacks For the Car:

• Fresh-cut veggies. Remember that cooler I told you to pack, well this is where it comes in. Fresh cut veggies are great portable snacks when they're cut into small bites. Remember the ice packs to help keep them fresh.
• Sandwiches made with baked or grilled chicken breast and mustard or natural peanut butter/ almond butter and homemade chia jam or sliced bananas. These can be cut into triangles for snacking.
• All Natural Nut Butters.
• Individual containers of oats. All you have to do is add a cup of hot water cover it back over and wait 5-10 minutes and viola, oatmeal on-the-go. Add some fresh fruit and nut butter or protein powder.
• Whole grain crackers or tortilla chips. 
• Homemade humus, guacamole, or salsa. All great condiments that are clean eating.
• Low-fat mozzarella string cheese. A great source of calcium and protein.
• Mini yogurts. Also a great source of calcium and protein.
• Hard boiled eggs. The perfect portable protein
• Fresh fruit. Apples, bananas, pears, peaches, grapes, oranges, apricots, cherries, berries of all kind are the perfect hand sized portable snack.
• Individual bags of mixed dried fruit and nuts. Great sources of healthy fats and fiber, and even protein. Almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, raisins, dried apricots, cranberries, dates. You can even add some healthy dark chocolate chips and make it a real trail mix!
• Lara Bars. These are a little high in sugars but the ingredients are all real foods. No preservatives.
• Vega also has some great on the go products that I sometimes buy like their Vibrancy Bars, energizing smoothie snack packs (individually packaged - all you have to do is and it to juice or water), and their savi seed are a great healthy superfood snack rich in nutrients. I really like Vega because they base all their products on real whole foods and use no strange ingriendents. They are also completely Vegan. If you're interested in finding out more about them, their web site is full of info.

Here are a couple of other great snack recipes that you can make at home:

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Who like's snacks?

I do! I do!

Snacks play an important roll in giving us a little energy boost when we need it.

If you've ever felt the afternoon blahs when you're lacking energy and contemplating a trip to the candy machine then this is for you. We all know the feeling right? Either you're at the office or going about your day, you're energy crashes and you're now looking for the nearest doughnut shop or what have you. The reason why you hit the afternoon wall is because you're blood glucose has taken a sharp dive. You're as "hangry" as a walrus and probably feel a bit like one too, ready to take it out on someone else.

You can avoid the dreaded afternoon crash by eating frequent mini meals throughout the day and making sure you get a good lunch that includes a combination veggies and/or whole grains and quality protein, so when 3 o'clock rolls around you're not falling asleep at your desk. Instead of reaching for that candy bar or doughnut, first reach for your water bottle and make sure you are well hydrated. Now it's time to make a healthy snacking choice. This part requires a bit of planning but it can be quite easy (and tasty)! It's also important to remember to pair your snack with some protein to keep you from getting hungry again too soon.

So what should you snack on that's healthy? Here are a few examples:

• A hand sized piece of fruit (like an apple or pear) with some nuts
• Veggies and hummus
• Ryvita crackers spread with nut butter
• Hard boiled eggs with some salsa and sliced bell peppers
• Low fat granola and yogurt

Then there are these little gems. I'm excited to share a great recipe with you today. Something else to throw into your snacking repertoire.

These are a great pick me up in the middle of the afternoon and a surprisingly energy packed pre-workout snack that can double as dessert.

A doughnut is tasty, but has no nutritional benefit. These power balls are just as tasty and will leave you feeling good about what you ate. Plus they look like little doughnuts! I swear these look just like the timbits we used to get from Tim Hortons when I was a kid.

Peanut Butter Energy Bites (makes 16 balls)

Print or Email this recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 2 tbsp unpasturized honey or maple syrup 
• 1/4 cup vanilla sunwarrior protein powder
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds
• 2 tbsp coconut flakes

Method:

1. Place sunflower seeds and oats in a food processor and process until flour like. Now add the dried apricots and process again until crumbly.
2. Add remaining ingredients except for the coconut and process until everything is incorporated and the mixture is well combined. It should be slightly crumbly.
3. Scoop out tablespoons of the mixture with your hands and roll into balls.
4. Roll each ball in coconut to coat.
5. Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to one week.

*You can also stash these in the freezer and they'll keep even longer.

(If you can keep your hands off them) ;)

This recipe has been shared at Amee's Fit and Fabulous Fridays.