On The Move – Tips for Travelling | Bariatric Basics

There’s no avoiding it – Christmas is upon us. From fairy lights to festive fizz the party season is everywhere you look. With so much pressure to produce the ‘perfect’ Christmas for all the family including decorating your house like a cover from Ideal Home, cooking up a feast that Nigella would be proud of, seeking out a bunch of thoughtful and unusual gifts (beautifully wrapped of course), not to mention making sure you look fabulous at all times too, it’s no wonder we feel our stress levels start to rise!

Then add to that the travel

– yes maybe you’re just trying to get across town in what has become a day-long rush hour; making the journey to see friends and loved ones in another country or state; or doing the whole shebang with flights or long road journeys back to the family or to a Christmas destination, you need to factor in food on the move. Here are some tips to try and make this stress-free and as seamless as possible – but remember the solution comes in the planning …

1. First and foremost, pack emergency snacks. You’ll need them for standard snacking, of course, but also for unforeseen circumstances that could lengthen your travel time: flight delays, a long time taxiing on the runway, traffic on the way to your destination, etc. And during the flight, you probably don’t want to get stuck eating the calorie-heavy options that airlines offer. (Don’t be fooled by those cheese-and-cracker snack boxes — they often have 800+ calories each!) Pack your carry-on with several shelf-stable snacks that are high in protein and/or fiber, don’t take up too much space, and won’t get crushed in transit: apples, jerky, protein bars, etc. Avoid anything messy or smelly. (Sorry, pomegranates and tuna.) See here for more emergency snacks that we suggest. Forgot to pack ’em? No worries. You can usually find decent options in the terminal, like those picks I mentioned. Just read the labels.

2. Plan ahead in terms of meals. You might be tempted to skip a meal in your rush to get to the airport, but try to leave time for a filling breakfast, lunch, or dinner at home before you go. That’s where you’ll have the most control, and you’re about to be out of that comfort zone for a while. If you know you’re going to need a meal at some point during your travels, plan on grabbing it at the airport, not in flight. There are loads more healthy options at the airport. If you don’t have time to eat the meal before boarding, you can always bring it on the plane with you. Need some motivation for hunting down low-calorie, healthy, high-protein based meals? You’re probably going to enjoy a few indulgent dishes when you get to your destination — don’t blow your decadent-food budget on airport food!

3. Put your fast-food skills and chain-restaurant know-how to the test. Here’s a one-sentence refresher on surviving a fast-food meal: Always look at nutritional stats before you order, choose grilled not crispy, and hold the mayo. You can almost always find a basic salad with grilled chicken, whether it’s at a fast-food counter or on a chain-restaurant menu. Steer your way through it pretty much like you would the buffet or lunch counter at work – see our tips here.

4. When the drink cart comes around, water is your best bet. Even better, grab a bottle or two of H2O at the airport. Not only will it help you avoid the sugary calories and fizz in soda and juice, but it’s also the best for hydration. (Plus, you’ll be covered if turbulence prevents the drink cart from coming through the cabin.) And staying hydrated can keep you from thinking you’re hungry. Besides water, tomato juice is really satisfying second option! Here are some other choices you might consider.

5. When you get off that plane and on to your destination, hit the grocery store sooner rather than later. Stock up on smart snacks and even some meal staples, so you’re not at the mercy of the hotel mini bar or your host’s half-empty fridge. And don’t forget to plan and pack for the trip back!

6. Pack so that your food stays fresh and safe. Don’t be tempted to take perishable food without chilling first and without an integral cooling device to keep it fresh. Ideally also choose a lunchbox that will keep your food in one piece and recognisable! Our bariatric bento box (see here) keeps your food intact, safe and very handy. The bariatric bento bag enables you to pack it easily with a drink and the supplied freezer pack ensures its safe and hygienic in use use.

Overall, do the best you can, and don’t beat yourself up if you make a few bad choices. Just get right back on track whenever you can. Happy travels!