Healthy Eating Nutrition Tips for Busy Lifestyles & Travelers

Life never seems to slow down. This means that if you are juggling work, children and after school clubs, nutrition can unfortunately often take a back seat. Staying healthy does however not mean hours of prep, fancy ingredients, or gourmet meals. With a few clever tricks up your sleeve, you should still be able to fuel your body properly even when you are continually on the go. Read on to discover nutrition tips for busy individuals.

Plan ahead, pack smart

The secret to healthy eating and good nutrition on the go is in being prepared. Before you head out, make sure that you pack portable, nutrient-rich snacks. Good snacks to consider include mixed nuts, or trail mix, fruits such as bananas, apples and oranges, vegetables (cucumber, carrot, celery) with houmous, and even hard-boiled eggs. Good quality protein bars that have minimal added sugar are also handy to carry around. 

These are all easy portable snacks that are full of protein and nutrients and can stop those impulse buys in the corner shop or at the petrol station when on the go. 

Make better choices when dining out

Eating out on the go can make it all too easy to abandon healthy eating. However, there are always better choices you can make. Try to pick meals that include lean proteins, wholegrains and with plenty of vegetables on the side to help fill you up. 

Avoid eating too much fried food and things with creamy sauces. Grilled, baked or even steamed dishes are better. Remember too, if portions sizes are large, you might consider sharing or asking for leftovers to be boxed up. You do not have to clear your plate. 

Hydrate

When you are busy, it’s easy to forget to hydrate, and this can lead to you feeling hungry and eating more. Have a reusable water bottle to hand and sip regularly. Avoid too many sugary drinks and don’t drink too much alcohol. These can deplete your energy and disrupt your digestion. 

Do not skip meals

Skipping meals may seem like a practical solution when you are short on time. However, this will usually backfire. Missing a meal means you are more likely to grab an unhealthy snack or overeat at your next meal. Make sure you have a good combination of snacks to hand – with a mix of protein, fibre and healthy fats, to avoid becoming over hungry. 

Mindful eating on the move

It can be tempting to eat whilst you are at your desk, behind the wheel or scrolling your phone but you need to slow down, even if only for a few minutes. Mindful eating can help improve your digestion and reduce the urge to snack.

Balance, not perfection 

Good nutrition is not about rigid rules – it is all about balance. Enjoy meals out and treats without guilt but balance them out with healthier choices. Some days grabbing a fast-food meal may be your only option, so compensate by having a salad the following day. 

Healthy eating on the go is often less about perfection and more about intention. Plan carefully, make smart sways and have snacks and water to hand to ensure you stay nourished and energised. Your body will thank you for thinking ahead when it comes to nutrition.