Eating Healthy on the Road

Being the mom of a talented young sprinter means traveling to distant places in the summertime. Road trips can pose a challenge for the health conscious but know that it is not impossible to maintain your focus. Planning is essential. The day before we leave for a trip, I shop and prepare a variety of healthy snacks and lunch to eat while traveling. We take a cooler with ice and keep it within reach as well as a case of water. If your destination has a refrigerator and/or microwave (which I try to only use during travel but that's another post), you can plan meal accordingly. If not, here are some tips for acquiring healthy food in various places:

Gas Station
Believe it or not, gas stations usually have apples, bananas, or oranges. For your non-vegan eaters, most stay stocked with string cheese and yogurt. Choose pretzels over chips. Grab a single serving box of whole grain cereal. Stay away from the candy and soda. Many gas stations have protein bars but remember to read your labels as some can have up to 300 calories and more than a fair share of sugar. Nutrigrain bars have high fructose corn syrup in them so do not think that these are healthy alternatives.

Fast Food Restaurants
When I first started losing weight, I obtained the nutrition pamphlets from most fast food places. Sometimes, particularly on the way home, eating at these places is inevitable.
Here are some of my choices:

Taco Bell- Fresco bean burrito and a side of rice. This is approximately 400 calories.

McDonalds (which I despise but sometimes is the only place around for miles)- southwestern grilled chicken salad without the chicken of course. There is a good variety of greens, black beans, corn and if I remember correctly tomatoes. Do not use their southwestern dressing instead choose the balsamic. You can get out the door in under 350 calories.

Del Taco- Veggie works burrito with no cheese or sour cream and guacamole on the side. With the sour cream and cheese and guac, it's about 700 something calories. Take these ingredients out and you're in the safe range- probably in the 400 range.

Subway or any sandwich shop- veggie sandwich with no cheese or mayo.

Burger King- Many have veggie burgers however they most likely are not vegan. Check their salads and stay away from cream dressings as they are loaded with fat and excess calories.

The key here is reading those nutrition pamphlets. Grab one before ordering to ensure that you are making a good choice. If you are going through the drive-through, park first, run inside to use the bathroom and get the pamphlet. Read it and choose accordingly.

Standard Restaurants
Grilled veggie sandwiches, salads with balsamic. Order a side of steamed veggies or fruit instead of fries or coleslaw. Water or unsweetened tea instead of soda.

Hotel Continental Breakfast
Whole grain toast and fruit. Many also have oatmeal or whole grain cereals.

Starbucks
The perfect oatmeal is a good choice for breakfast. Before I became vegan, I would get the spinach, egg and feta wrap which is not too high in calories. Tall soy chai latte or rooibos tea with soy milk are my choices for drink Take some stevia along in your purse and stay away from artificial sweeteners. They also have nutrition pamphlets for their drinks and food. Get one.