Traveling and Eating Healthy: Snacks & Restaurants

Snacking while traveling can pose a challenge, but if you know in advance that you will be on the road for a while, try packing things beforehand. Even foods that may seem ok on Kaufmann 1 that you might get at a convenience store are usually packed with preservatives and/or sugar. Thinking in advance is key.

Nuts are a great, healthy option. If you have the luxury of a food dehydrator, drying some berries can turn those nuts into a trail mix with no added sugar or hydrogenated oils. Green apples are another option. There are a couple companies, such as Artisana, that sell individual packets of nut butters, i.e., coconut, walnut, almond and cashew butter that don’t require refrigeration; these are great for traveling. Bring along some bottled water as well to avoid the soda temptation.

Restaurants can be challenging, but they aren’t impossible to navigate. Avoid free bread or chips if the restaurant offers them before your meal. Most restaurants offer some sort of salad menu, and this is a good place to start. Salad with some sort of protein (i.e., steak or chicken) will keep you pretty close to your diet. It is usually a good idea to avoid the dressing, or at the very least, ask for it on the side. It is usually best to opt for fresh lemon juice and olive oil instead. If salads aren’t particularly appetizing, look for the items such as steak or grilled chicken. Avoid sides like potatoes or fries in favor of side salads or roasted vegetables. Always opt for water, and if the restaurant offers bottled water, that might be the best option.

Traveling will put you out of your comfort zone. You won’t have access to your kitchen, and you may not always get optimal ingredients at a restaurant. Most don’t serve grass fed beef, wild caught fish or pastured chicken. Most aren’t going to have organic eggs, greens, veggies or fruits. But sticking as close as you can is the best you can do. Remember that no one is perfect; you’ll never completely conform to the Kaufmann 1 diet ad infinitum. Remember the principles of the diet, plan ahead and you’ll avoid any egregious health pitfalls.

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