Quick Tips for Eating Healthy on the Go

In a health-obsessed culture, it’s often not too difficult to find healthy and nutritious food however, the challenge to eat healthy and nutritious food; is greater when you’re on the go. Surrounded by fast food options with a McDonalds every few kilometres, a bit of planning can be essential if you want to maintain a healthy diet.

We’ve got a few ideas to help you find a healthy snack when the hunger pangs hit.

Know your surroundings and do your research

If you’re running errands or working on the road, you might not always be able to take your lunch with you. If you know the general area you’ll be in, do some research beforehand to identify what eateries you have within a 3km radius quickly. Keep a lookout for healthy, and often inexpensive options like sushi, salad bars, or sandwich shops.

Once you find a good place, take note! You never know when you’ll need to visit again. If you’re feeling generous, write an online review so the next person in the same predicament will know where to head.

Pack healthy snacks with you

You know that old wives’ tale about never shopping when you’re hungry? It’s true and it’s the same when it comes to choosing what to eat. If you’re not prepared and you are feeling hungry, you’re much more likely to reach for a convenient snack. Often, convenience means processed and at times, unhealthy. Try to prepare healthy, ready to go snacks to carry with you.

We’ve got a few ideas to choose from:

• Cut up raw veggies like carrot, celery, capsicum and cherry tomatoes. These fresh veggies are tasty, crunchy snacks that are super easy to eat on the go
• Like veggies, you can prepare containers of fruit, like Sunny Ridge strawberries! Granny Smith apples and grapes are also easy to carry around
• Wraps and sandwiches can also be prepared in advance
• Muffins or home-baked treats for when you’re craving a sweet snack or two. Have you tried our strawberry muffins?
• If you pack a chiller bag with some ice, you can also carry things like frittatas which can be eaten hot or cold, hummus dip for your veggie sticks, or even tubs of Greek yogurt

While it’s great to prepare snacks in advance when you know you’re going to be out on the road, having a stash of healthy, easy to reach options in your car and handbag anytime hunger strikes, can help to avoid tempting and readily available treats like chocolate, chips, and cake. Stock your car/bag with:

• Popcorn
• Dried apricots
• Raw nuts
• Rice cakes
• Muesli bars (be sure to check the sugar content!)

Be open minded

Typically, we’re creatures of habit. We like to hit up the same food stops and pick the same tempting meal, but why not be open minded and try something different every now and again. If you’re out for Mexican pass on the tacos and try a salad, hitting a sushi bar for the tempura? Try something that hasn’t been deep fried! Are you grabbing a sandwich? Choose low-GI bread. Better yet, why not try a new restaurant or café altogether? Small changes over time can have a significant impact overall, and who knows? You might find you discover a new favourite meal!

If you’ve got a few tips up your sleeve for eating healthy on the go, let us know below.