For those of you that know me well, you know I have a small addiction to travel. I have an insatiable appetite for adventure, learning, and also for connection. So that means every chance I get, I am packing a bag. For most, travel leads to inconsistency with healthy choices, but I have figured out how to master this equation and stay on track no matter what country I am in or how long the flight might be to get there.
So here are a few of my top secrets so you can integrate whatever resonates for you.
Pack a Healthy Meal
I almost always hit the Whole Foods salad bar the night before leaving, or I take the time to toss together a super healthy salad with all the fixins. This ensures that no matter what happens, I have at least ONE super healthy meal. This small habit makes a huge difference and can curb the desperate, unhealthy grab on the layover or as soon as you arrive at your destination.
Healthy Snacks
The in-flight peanuts and cookies don’t necessarily hit all of the recommended nutritional marks. Have you ever looked at the ingredients? Total science projects. And neither do the cinnamon rolls, donuts and cheeseburgers that are everywhere in the terminals. We’ve discussed the good points of packing healthy snacks before, but that’s because we truly believe it! Always travel with your own homemade trail mix with healthy choices like organic, raw almonds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, coconut shreds, raisins, pecans, etc. And feel free to throw in dried fruit, fresh fruit, or chopped veggies in your bag before you leave the house. Not only will these provide you with a nutritious and yummy snack, they will also help you stay hydrated while in the air. Still looking for more suggestions? Download my FREE Guide to Healthy Eating.
Stay Hydrated
I cannot express enough the importance of hydration when traveling, and with health in general! Whether it’s tea, a smoothie, green juice, or good ol’ fashioned water getting that H2O in your system is key to flushing out toxins. You may have to flesh out the 4 bucks at the airport newsstand, but it’s an easy sacrifice to make sure you are taking care of yourself. I opt for Evian or Fiji as these brands are solid choices as far as purity and alkalinity are concerned. You can also try to bring an empty refillable water bottle.
Lemon Ginger Tea
These tried and true “superfoods” provide a much needed immune system boost, aid in digestion, and reduce inflammation. This can also soothe a sore throat which comes in handy when interacting with hoards of other pathogen-carrying passengers. Plus, there’s something about a warm cup of tea that keeps you calm during bumpy, turbulent flights. You can carry a tea bag with you in your carry on to be mixed with a cup of hot water or purchase one once you’re past security. Beware: Make sure to avoid the tap water on the plane! The tap systems are under-cleaned and can contain microbes.
21 Herbal Tonics
I never leave home without 21 Cleanse liver and bowel tonic, and many of our cleansers do the same. The liver tonic can help keep your immune system strong despite all the germs floating thru the air. They reduce cortisol and adrenaline and keep your brain functioning at a high level. And they are great if you’ve “slipped” with a sugar binge, an alcoholic beverage, or… a big night out on the town. The bowel tonic is great if you feel like you’ve picked up a bug, or want to make sure to keep your digestion and elimination on track despite all the environment, food and time changes.
Stretch
From the domestic flights that takes less than 8 hours to get coast to coast to the international ones that dissolve your whole day, it’s essential to keep moving! By sitting still for hours at a time- particularly on airplanes, buses, and trains, you run a much greater risk of your blood clotting due to the inactivity. The American Society of Hematology warns against deep vein thrombosis, also known as “economy class syndrome”, caused by being stagnant, in a cramped position, for hours at a time at a high altitude. Fight this by taking a short walk back and forth on the plane around every 45 minutes. This is an easy way to get the blood flowing, no matter which section you are seated in on the flight. And on layovers, opt to walk around the airport aimlessly rather than find the first seat and wait.
Move
As soon as you land and get checked in, or arrive at your friends, get moving! Jump on a treadmill, get outside for a power walk, pop into a yoga class. Do whatever you need to do to get exercise, blood flow, and oxygen back into your body. And then – this is really important – schedule time the very next morning to do the same. This will set the tone for an excellent trip!!!
There you have it, a few easy choices to make to transform your health while traveling. Make your next flight the most enjoyable one yet!
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