Eating well on the road.

[RyanPKS]

Does anyone have any suggestions for eating well while traveling? I am on the road a lot for work, which is one of the things that got me to the unflattering point I am at. I recently bought my fitbit and hope to start a long goal of getting down below 200lbs. I know its one step at a time, but I feel like all I have to eat while I travel is fast food garbage! Does anyone have any tips on places to go or things to do to keep going strong towards my goals?

[DeannaD]

Hi Ryan,

It is so hard to eat well while travelling. I have been making an effort to pack along things like a bag of unsalted mixed nuts and some apples whenever I can. That at least tides me over until I can find a nearby grocery store. I also ask for a refrigerator in my room if I am staying for more than a day or so. That way I can keep things like yogurt, fruit, baby carrots, etc., and bottled water. I try to eat fresh from my room whenever possible and avoid the dining out aspect of travel completely (unless of course there is a social component - then I just choose wisely). Good luck with your travels!

[TrailTrekker]

Ryan,  I to travel for work - ALL the time.  In fact, I am writing this from a hotel room.  Like you, I too put on pounds when I started traveling for work three years ago.  A few months ago, I made a lifestyle change at home and then had to figure out how to do it on the road.  Here's what I do.

I stay at a Suite hotel with a full kitchen.  I prefer Candlewood (IHG) because there is NO meal option even available, not even breakfast.  Homewood Suites is also good but they offer breakfast and dinner during the week, which you have to resist.  The night I arrive, I go to a Fresh Market (grocery with a GOOD deli/salad bar) and buy natural foods:  fruits, veggies, yogurts, oat cereal, dried fruits, nuts, and some salad bar dishes such as tabuli, garbanzo beans, olives, seafood salads, salmon, etc. I'm actually enjoying my meals far more than I did eating in restaurants all the time AND saving my company big money not eating out all the time.  I almost never eat out at a restaurant anymore when on the road, or if I do, it's the exception and I try to "treat" myself with it, but still choose a healthy dish like a seafood or salad.  However, I still go for a good steak now an then too. Of course, this all works best if you're going to be in the same location for several days to several weeks like I usually am.  If you are constantly moving, it will be more difficult to buy food at groceries and stock up for several days like I can.

If you travel through airports like I do, I quit going to those restaurants too.  I eat breakfast at home before I leave than spend my time walking until time to board.  If I have a layover, I walk at that airport too.  If I do need to buy food at an airport, I go into one of those little shops and get a yogurt and granola bar rather than a restaurant with a full meal.  This is always the plan.  I occasionally slip up, but if I do, then I just eat less for the next few meals until I feel like I'm back on track.

For exercise in strange cities, I use the AllTrails app to find parks (locak, state, national), bike trails, and river walks to explore.  On Google maps, I just look for the green spaces on the map and then zoom in to see what they are and if they offer a place to walk.  Course, it's easier when it stays light longer in the evenings.  Lacking trails or daylight, I find a safe neighborhood or maill to walk after dark.  And I am the crazy person walking the hallways, parking lots, and stairways at the hotel if that's the only way to get my steps/flights of stairs in.  I sometimes use the hotel workout room, but they are a last resort for me.  I get bored or imtimidated by others.  I have started watching a movie or a podcast of some kind on my phone while walking a treadmill in a hotel exercise room, which sees to help.  

Let me know if you've found anything else that works.  It IS a challenge that's for sure.   (Sorry for the long post)

Good luck!!

[divedragon]

totally agree with TrailTrekker.  I too travel every week and stay in extended stay type hotels.  My preference is TownSuites by Marriott, but as Trekker says, they offer breakfast.  The kitchens are always full kitches in that they often lack an oven, so I end up cooking on the weekends when I'm home, freezing the food in ziplock backs and taking it with me.  I have also purchased food at local grocery stores to cook.  Townsuites also have a gas grill for guest use.

On my current assignment, there is a gym directly across the street from the hotel and they have month to month membership, so I pay the $40 and get my exercise.  I also run the streets when the weather cooperates.  At lunch, I take in tennis shoes and go on a 45 minute walk everyday instead of eating lunch.

Cooking your own food is the only way to be sure.  Chefs tend to add things like butter and sugar to recipes to improve the flavor so even 'healthy' foods become high caloric bombs.  When I do have to eat out, I go for the most straight forward meals like grilled fish and grilled or steamed vegetables.