Nutrition for Travelers: Back to Basics

Nutrition on the road

In recent years, the internet has become an absolute shitstorm of misinformation, particularly with regard to the field of nutrition.

In my previous life as a dietitian, few things infuriated me more than the so-called “experts” constantly coming out of the woodworks touting the amazing benefits of this food or demonizing that food or imploring people to avoid this “poisonous” food, adding to the media-induced maelstrom us dietitians (you know, the ones who actually study nutrition) had to compete with.

It can be hard enough stick to good habits when we’re in the comfort of our own home and have time and resources on our side–on the road, the obstacles to healthy eating can be endless.

We often find ourselves a) kitchen-less and forced to eat out for every meal, b) limited to very few less-than-ideal options, c) unfamiliar with the food options we DO have, d) over-indulging because “We’re on vacation!” or e) all of the above; it’s no wonder so many travelers pack on unwanted pounds and let their otherwise healthy habits fall by the wayside, regardless of the amount of time away.

Even though I decided nutrition wasn’t the field for me, I still apply the things I learned to my daily life and understand the profound importance of healthy eating; and I’m here to tell you that despite what the media wants you to believe, good nutrition is NOT THAT COMPLICATED. And so long as you follow a few basic tenets, you can keep your health intact even while you’re exploring the world.

Prepare your own meals whenever possible.

Hostels that have full kitchens for guests to use have become my go-to.  They provide utensils, cookware, plates and cups, and often a whole pantry of communal stuff to use like cooking oils and seasonings.  Keep this in mind when booking and take full advantage when you can.

When you prepare your own food, you know exactly what’s in it and can avoid the extra sodium, fat, and MSG many restaurants add to their food for enhanced flavor.  Processed foods (anything that’s microwavable or “instant”) is typically loaded with these things as well, so go for fresh ingredients if they’re available to you.

Hostel kitchen in Bolivia.
Communal kitchen at a hostel in Bolivia.

Cooking in a communal kitchen is not only a huge money-saver, especially if the cost of ingredients is split among a group, but it’s also a great way to meet and bond with other travelers.  Do your wallet and waistline a favor by saving meals out for special occasions.

Watch your portion sizes.

America deservedly has a poor reputation for serving portion sizes that should never by any means be consumed entirely by one individual.  But guys, we’re not the only ones.  Restaurants the world over have been known to serve outlandish portions.

Bandeja Paisa in Colombia. For good nutrition, keep an eye on your portion sizes.
Exhibit A: Bandeja Paisa in Colombia

If the plate is bigger than your face, it’s better to take half the meal home to eat later.  I’ve never encountered a restaurant on my travels that didn’t have takeaway containers when asked.  This is another good money saver!  Two meals for the price of one.

Know your fats.

Sometimes the foods available to us leave us with no other option than to choose the lesser evil.  To do this, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the different macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and protein) that provide calories.

Fat is the most calorically dense, providing 9 calories per gram versus just 4 calories per gram from carbs or protein.  Therefore, avoiding foods high in fat is a good way to ensure we’re not taking in more calories than we burn throughout the day.  Some high-fat foods that should be consumed sparingly include: anything deep-fried, cheese, cream or whole milk, cream-based sauces, red meat, butter and oils.

A traditional Parilla in Salta, Argentina.
Red meat is high in saturated fat and cholesterol–eat it sparingly (unless you’re in Argentina).

Fats need not be avoided altogether by any means, however, and in fact we derive a lot of benefit from consuming the fats found in plant sources.  For instance, nuts and seeds may technically be considered high-fat foods, but these unsaturated fats provide heart-healthy benefits such as reducing tissue inflammation.  Again, it’s important not to overdo your portion sizes.  Speaking in generalities, saturated fats are found in animal sources, and unsaturated fats are found in plant sources. Understanding the difference can help us make wise choices.

Focus on fruits and veggies.

When we shop local markets and choose locally grown, seasonal produce, we’re doing our bodies, the environment, and the local community a favor.  Traveling provides us with unique opportunities to sample some fascinating fruits and vegetables that we’d never see in a grocery store at home, so be adventurous and try something new.

Focus on fruits and veggies, like this salad in Ubud, Bali, when traveling.
Enjoying a salad in Ubud, Bali.

Traveling in Southeast Asia?  Sample the fresh mango, rambutan and durian.  Learn to cook with new eggplant varieties, and don’t skimp on the fresh peppers.  In the Caribbean, street vendors’ carts overflow with fresh avocado the size of your head, young coconuts ready to drink, and one of my all-time favorite fruits, pink guava.  Cheap, nutritious and delicious!

Fresh fruit is readily available in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
No coconut shortage in Kuala Lumpur.

Take it easy on the booze.

Easier said than done, right?  I’ve been there, and I know–it’s not always easy to say no to a drink when most of our social interactions start at the bar.  What I ALSO know is that eight months of drinking nearly every day (even just a beer or two) left me feeling like I’d been hit by a bus.  Walking every day and hiking here and there kept me from packing on a million pounds (alcohol can provide a lot of calories), but my partying definitely got a bit out of hand, and I was worse off for it.

Drink sparingly while on the road.
There’s nothing wrong with this…maybe just keep it to every other day.

There’s no shame in taking a night or two to stay in and rest, or at the very least, make the extra effort to stay hydrated while you drink (a good rule of thumb is one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage).  You won’t have any less fun, you’ll just be less hungover the next morning.  And drinking on an empty stomach never did anyone any favors–especially the friend who has to hold your hair back when you get sick.

Walk it off.

One of the best ways to keep weight gain at bay when your diet is less than ideal is by exercising regularly.  I’m as guilty as the next guy when it comes to being lazy while traveling, but it’s something I intend to remedy the next time around.  Walk as much as you can, go for hikes, swim in the ocean, play soccer on the beach; whatever it is you like to do to stay active, find a little time for it every day.

Everything in moderation, including moderation.

Making healthy choices while traveling is important, but so is enjoying the journey. Indulging every now and then is perfectly fine, and I happen to believe dining out and sampling local foods is an important way to get to know a new city and culture.

Indian desserts in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
When in Rome, eat as the Romans eat.

You don’t have to make yourself crazy analyzing every bite that goes into your mouth, but if you allow these tried-and-true rules to guide most of your choices, you’ll be on the right track to good nutrition, on the road OR at home.Nutrition for travelers: How to eat healthy when you're on the road!

How do you avoid poor nutrition pitfalls on the road?  I’d love to hear your comments.

8 comments

  • Justine

    Staying healthy while on the road is always so tough for me. I’m a vegetarian which makes things really hard. When traveling in countries that are not super veg-friendly (i.e. the Philippines!), I found myself on diet of eggs and buttery toast in the morning, sugary breads at lunch, and cheese pizza at dinner. And lots of cheap beer and rum. So bad! Cooking for yourself is so key. I learned to take advantage of hostels with kitchens (even having a fridge in your hotel room to store fruit, yogurt, veggies, salad supplies, etc. helps a lot!). And I walk everywhere, even if it’s a million degrees out like in Cartagena! Anyway, it’s nice to get heath tips from a former nutritionist who actually knows what she’s talking about!
    Justine recently posted…One Year in Jakarta: Pros and Cons of Living AbroadMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      I feel like vegetarians are pretty well in-tune with what’s healthy, but you’re right, it’s just not always easy to find what you want. The same was true a lot of the time in Latin America where often the cheapest, most convenient foods to buy were some variation of meat, cheese, and bread! Sandwiches, pizzas, pasta, whatever. Too many processed carbs, too much fat, not enough fruits and vegetables! Now that you’re living in one place I’m sure you’ll figure out where to buy the good stuff though, I’ll be interested to see how things go for you in Jakarta!

  • Michelle | Lights Camera Travel

    These are really great tips! When I have a routine it’s so easy to eat well, but I do struggle when I’m traveling. It is definitely something I hope to remedy when I’m back on the road… I’m almost 29 now too, so the whole drinking everyday thing I just can’t handle anymore!
    Michelle | Lights Camera Travel recently posted…Travels in Review: Month 3My Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Thank you Michelle! Yes, some days you just don’t know what you’re going to get! It is so much easier with a routine. I’m going to attempt to implement some sort of “routine” the next time I travel, I’ll let you know how that goes. 🙂

  • Emily from Let's Roam Wild

    Loved this article. I’m getting a little worried about my waistline for my upcoming six month trip in Southeast Asia, so definitely appreciative of these words of wisdom!
    Emily from Let’s Roam Wild recently posted…Madison Bachelorette PartyMy Profile

    • LaMochilera (author)

      Thanks Emily! Admittedly when I’m traveling I don’t stick to my own recommendations as much as I should (I eat at restaurants way too often) but I’m working on it! Glad you found it helpful!

  • Steph

    LOVED the salads in Ubud!!! Great photo!
    When I was in Asia, I thought a lot of the food options were unhealthy. Now that I’m in Brazil – wow have I changed my mind! It seems like everything here is buttery, fried, meaty, cheesy or breaded… it makes me miss Asia! (but – the tofu options here are surprisingly AWESOME.. even better than Asia. Smoked organic non-GMO tofu at almost every grocery store? I’m in!)
    Steph recently posted…Travel Budget Ideas – Ask “What Doesn’t Matter to Me?”My Profile

    • La Mochilera (author)

      You’re right, it was rather difficult to find healthy food in Asia…but probably even moreso in South America! Not that I don’t love fried, cheesey bread, but… 😉

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