Eating healthy and maintaining your fitness routine while traveling for work is important. Did you know that professionals traveling for work are more likely to overeat unhealthy foods, skip their daily exercise routine, or drink excessively during their business trip? Of course, they fall out of this routine while traveling more so than they would at home. In addition to not eating healthy or perhaps over-eating, many business travelers skip their fitness routine altogether while traveling. So, in this article, you will learn about some of the healthy snacks for business travelers.
Planning ahead of time is critical. Planning the day, meals, snacks, fitness routine, social outings, etc., is crucial to maintain your health, balance, and regimen.
However, many business travelers end up gaining weight, falling off their workout routine, or messing up their gut. Sometimes, they may become bloated or constipated.
Again, when you’re traveling for work, life can get hectic trying to remember everything you need to pack. Also, it’s hectic trying to make sure that you don’t forget anything.
But, when you’re packing your bag for work travel, it’s essential to plan your meals ahead of time—in addition, planning your snacks and meals before travel is essential for ensuring that you eat healthily.
And it’s important to plan out your snacks, meals, and exercise routine during travel. Otherwise, you may end up falling off the bandwagon on your road to healthy eating and fitness habits.
Just because the meals may be “free” or convenient doesn’t mean you need to eat them. It will only make you overindulge in eating like it’s your last meal. And, of course, that is not a healthy habit.
However, if you plan, many choices can help you eat healthily while incorporating physical exercise.
So, knowing what to pack in your bag and maintaining your routine to stay successful during your work travel is key. Here are some tips to help you stay on track.
Read Also: Why You Should Try Traveling Alone
#1. Don’t forget to pack snacks in your carry-on bag
It’s important to plan with healthy snacks. Unfortunately, some airlines do not pass out snacks, and they’re not the most nutritious choices if they do. And high protein, low sodium snacks are crucial to helping you feel full and give you more energy.
Here are some of the healthy snacks for business travelers to sustain enough energy for their work travel.
- Empty Water Bottle (reusable and one that can easily fit into your bag)
- Protein Powder in a ziplock bag (4-6 scoops depending on length-of-stay)
- Amino Acids in a ziplock bag (4-6 capsules depending on the length of stay)
- Beef Jerky (low sodium)
- Almonds (unsalted) in a ziplock bag
- Peanuts (unsalted) in a ziplock bag
- Protein Bar (low sugar/low carb)
- Baby carrots in a ziplock bag
- Celery in a ziplock bag
Not a food, but good to pack along with your snacks- wet disposable wipes to clean hands and freshen up.
But ensure that the snacks you pack have low sodium. Salt, especially during air travel, may cause your body to retain water and make you feel bloated.
Again, it’s important to also take along any supplements or vitamins in a zip lock bag. Don’t skip these; ensure you continue to take them every day, so you are consistent.
#2. Don’t forget to pack your sneakers and gear
Along with some healthy snacks for business travelers, it’s important to also pack your sneakers. Unfortunately, people often forget to pack their sneakers. That’s because they seldom incorporate fitness in their traveling plans.
In order to maintain good health, it’s important to plan for working out while traveling. Here are a few items to pack in your suitcase during work travel;
- Sneakers
- Socks
- Headphones or earbuds
- Comfortable leggings, pants, shorts, or joggers
- T-shirt or tank top
- Resistance bands- these can easily fit into your bag and can be used if there is no onsite hotel gym
#3. Don’t forget your routine during travel
As you get some of the healthy snacks for business travelers, It’s important to maintain your fitness routine and overall daily routine during travel. And when you get settled into your destination, unpack your things, and organize your items so that you set yourself up for a successful stay.
Of course, you need to plan out your day, or days, ahead of time. And it should include some form of physical activity or gym exercise. Also, you can call the hotel ahead of time to ask if there’s an onsite gym available.
Plan to include at least 30 minutes of exercise in your day, every day during travel. Whether it’s 30 minutes of walking, weight training, or running, it doesn’t matter.
But try to incorporate some form of physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day. Write out a plan, and stick to it:
- Wake up early.
- Get in a workout at the hotel gym.
- Go for a walk around the hotel for at least 30 minutes.
- If there is no hotel gym onsite, you can use the resistance bands you brought with you and work out in your hotel room. Also, you can search YouTube for any workout. And ensure you do it right in the convenience of your own hotel room space.
- Don’t skip, but get in a good high-protein, low-fat breakfast.
- Stay hydrated.
- If you’re going out for a work dinner- don’t overdo it with eating or drinking.
#4. Don’t forget to drink lots of water
I know you may be asking if water is one of the healthy snacks for business travelers. Of course not, but it’s important for the overall performance of your body.
Did you know water is beneficial for memory, brain function, focus, energy, and performance? In addition, water is essential for your health.
So, you know that empty water bottle you’re going to pack? Well, not only will you use it to mix your protein shakes, but you will need it to store water to help you stay hydrated during the day.
Many times, during travel, especially work travel, people tend to forget to drink water. Time flashes by throughout the day due to a jam-packed schedule filled with meetings.
And some may realize they haven’t even taken a sip of water. It’s important to stay hydrated at all times. Drinking water out of a glass during your meeting or telling yourself you will grab a water bottle is not the same as taking your water bottle with you at all times.
You are more likely to drink it if you fill it up with cold water. If possible, throw in some ice cubes, and drink out of your water bottle all day long.
Don’t forget to pack some healthy snacks for business travelers, as well as sneakers, supplements, and an empty water bottle in your carry-on bag during business travel. If you stick to your healthy eating habits, set yourself up for success by planning. Your body will thank you.