Eating On-The-Go Paleo

Summer means road trips, heading to the beach, and weekend getaways. Having a game plan is key to keeping healthy eating a priority most of the time. These tips can help you stay on track while on-the-go this summer.

1. Plan Ahead.

Before heading out of town, search online for restaurants, rest stops, grocery stores and maybe even farmer’s markets along your route to know your healthiest options. While making a packing list, create a food list too, then make a grocery store run before leaving. Having healthy Paleo foods on hand will minimize the stress of finding fresh foods on the road and will keep your gut happy too.

 

2. Stock up.

Instead of too much sugar, salt and fat from the usual road trip snacks, load up on healthy snacks from most or all food groups.

  • Fruits: Choose fruits that are durable -- berries, grapes, apples, and dried fruits -- that will survive the trip without getting crushed.
  • Vegetables: Cut up raw vegetables (carrots, celery, jicama, peppers, snap peas, cherry tomatoes) or buy them already prepared to munch on at the beach, while driving or at rest stops.
  • Protein: Hard boiled eggs, tuna pouches, our protein bars, and our meat snacks work well on the road and don’t need refrigeration.
  • Healthy Fats: Nuts and seeds, as well as single serve nut butter packets, work great for snacking and can be kept at room temperature with no risk of spoiling.
  • Water: Whether sitting at the beach or traveling all day, drink water regularly to stay hydrated. If you’re feeling thirsty, it means you’re already dehydrated, so stay ahead of your thirst by keeping a BPA-free, refillable water bottle by your side. Go slow on coffee because it can contribute to dehydration.

3. Pack a Cooler.

Assuming your traveling by car, packing a cooler allows for a greater variety of fresh foods and can help decrease the number of high sodium, high calorie restaurant meals. Use cold packs or ice to keep foods at a safe temperature. Once you reach your destination, replenish the ice or re-freeze the cold packs. A cooler also works great for packing meals and snacks for day trips and will help minimize the need for fast food stops.

4. Aim for 80%.

Eating on the road is definitely more challenging than at home, so give yourself a break by aiming to eat Paleo most of the time, not 100%. Don’t stress about some choices not being healthy enough or Paleo. The 80% approach will help make this summer’s on-the-go trips not only fun and adventurous, but healthy too!


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