I just finished one trip and I am gearing up for another one in a few weeks. No, I’m definitely not complaining. I love to travel. However, the jeans are not quite as comfortable as they were a week or so ago.
That is the good and evil of traveling – the food. You want to try all the new things around you, but after a while it is just too much.
For me, traveling is all about the food. I think eating local dishes is the best way to experience a culture. It may not even be the culture you’re in, but a fusion of cultures that have settled in that place.
I usually don’t have much trouble staying away from fake foods when I travel. I have the occasional bar food snacks, but normally I try to stick to real meals.
I enjoy the homemade pastries, pastas and other local dishes.
I didn’t say these things are necessarily healthy in large quantities, but travel is about enjoyment and I can’t find enough reasons to deprive myself when I travel. I definitely exceed my 20%.
When traveling a lot, like I seem to be doing right now, I find that following the portion size and hunger cues are important. While it is normally important to not to skip meals, I also feel it is important not to eat when you are not hungry. That means a skipped breakfast or lunch here and there when I’m on a trip.
One thing I do lack when I travel is fruit and maybe some vegetables. You have to make some pretty difficult choices to get as much of these things on the road as you do at home and I’ll admit I often fall short.
It is a huge dilemma for me. I want to be healthy, but sometimes healthy doesn’t taste good depending on the options. I’m just being honest.
I’ve met people of all kinds in the health field. Those who are strict and don’t even splurge on vacation. Those that are well balanced between eating well and an occasional treat. Those who go all out and return to healthy eating when the holiday is over.
How would you consider yourself?
I tend to eat a little too much on vacation, but I don’t lose site of health all together. I’m conscious of my water intake, calcium and fruits and veggies, even if I fall short.
Deep down though, food is a source of enjoyment for me. I think there should be a balance and from time to time we should let ourselves go, so-to-speak. If you enjoy food, I feel you should take advantage of travel, but cut back when you are back home.
Photo of Praça Osório near Rua das Flores – Curitiba, Brasil
