When you're planning a trip, there are many factors you have to take into consideration, according to your time and budget: destination, accommodation, transport, etc. But even once your tickets and rooms are booked, the planning does not stop. One aspect of travelling you should be paying special attention to is food. You might be looking forward to trying some amazing food once you reach your chosen spot. But that is only one part of your vacation. You have to regularly consume something every few hours to keep yourself energised. And what you choose to eat and drink at those points can greatly impact your trip. After all, no one wants to fall sick on vacation! We have put together a list of key points you must remember when going out of town.
Here Are 8 Important Diet Tips To Keep In Mind While Travelling:
1. Stay properly hydrated
Always keep water with you while travelling and don't forget to sip on it at intervals. When we go on a trip, our daily routine is disrupted and we need to ensure that our body is getting its basic needs. Apart from regular water, it is also a good idea to sip on natural drinks like coconut water and lemon water (with less sugar) as they can also help keep up your energy levels. If you're travelling to a cold place, opt for herbal teas made using simple spices. You can also brew some yourself and carry it along in a thermos. Click here for one such recipe.
2. Avoid drinks high in caffeine
You might opt for tea, coffee and aerated beverages while travelling because they are conveniently available at most places. But one must avoid having too much of them as their caffeine content can cause dehydration. This might disrupt the balance of your system and lead to other issues. Similarly, alcohol should not be consumed in excess as it may later leave you feeling uneasy in more ways than one.
Also Read: 5 Foods To Avoid Eating Before You Board A Flight
3. Keep fennel handy
Fennel is nothing short of a wonder spice. Also known as saunf (or badishep), many of us already know about its role as a digestive aid consumed post meals. But fennel also has cooling and detoxifying properties that can benefit you even more. Fennel helps combat feelings of nausea and does not irritate the body. This is why those suffering from motion sickness are often advised to chew these seeds while travelling.
4. Plain crackers can save the day
Wondering why anyone would want to eat such a flavourless food item? Well, if you're prone to nausea while travelling, you would know that strong flavours can make you feel worse. Munching on plain, unsalted/ unsweetened crackers can help give your body some amount of starch without setting off a vomiting spell. Even if you don't face such issues, carrying crackers can be a good idea. You can choose to pair it with some peanut butter or another healthy spread for a quick snack.
Also Read: 6 Motion Sickness Remedies: Choose These Drinks, Spices And Fruits
5. Replace chips with nuts
When going on a trip, we love loading up on junk food like packaged chips. In small quantities, this may be harmless. But remember that such foods have next to zero nutritional value. Rather, their additives and unhealthy fat content may lead to stomach and other problems. Hence, it is important to carry healthy snacks too. Opt for foods rich in fibre and protein, which are not too heavy on your system. Nuts are a wonderful choice because of their health benefits as well as their long shelf life and easy portability.
6. Balance indulgences with detox
Now, being careful does not mean you have to stay away from all the yummy food you come across. You must take advantage of trying local delicacies and unique dishes when you are travelling. You might also want to treat yourself to some of your guilty pleasures. But be mindful of what and how much you consume in a day. If you have an indulgent binge during lunch, opt for a light and simple dinner like khichdi. You should also sip on detox drinks if possible. If you have eaten too much oily food, there are specific steps you can take to recover. Find out more here.
7. Don't skip breakfast
Some people may be restless to get started with sightseeing and ignore their breakfast. Some may do so due to other reasons like a lack of proper options. Either way, try your best to at least consume some amount of food in the morning. This will give you the nutrients as well as the energy required for you to truly enjoy your trip. Hunger not only makes us tired but also irritated. Starting your day right can make all the difference.
8. Plan your meals in advance
Some of us love being spontaneous on vacation. We like discovering things as we go and making decisions on the spot. But it never hurts to have a few backup plans in place. Have at least a rough idea of when and where you would be having your main meals of the day. For many people, having too long a gap between meals leads to acidity and a host of other problems. Precious time may be lost in simply deciding where to eat. So research and keep a few options ready before your trip.
Bookmark these tips and refer to them while planning your next vacation. We hope they help you have a great trip!
Also Read: Are You Always Hungry? Here Are 7 Possible Reasons For Frequent Hunger
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
About Toshita SahniToshita is fuelled by wordplay, wanderlust, wonderment and Alliteration. When she is not blissfully contemplating her next meal, she enjoys reading novels and roaming around the city.