*This post is sponsored by Naked Granola in conjunction with Evolve Fit. All thoughts and opinions are as always my own.
Happy Summer! We are starting a brand new What To Pack… series that will run for the next few weeks. This week we are focused on healthy travel. We are calling the series:
Universal What to Pack Series
mainly because the When’s My Vacation team is headed to Universal Studios Orlando for a week of fun in the sun (and rain) in August. We are going to run down through all of the necessities to pack when headed to Universal Studios Florida. Even though we are focusing on what we are doing for our trip most of these posts will help you when planning for any week long vacation to somewhere warm and sunny.
Since this has been the summer of workouts and healthy eating and drinking we are starting with tips, tricks, and ideas on what to pack for healthy travel.
Healthy Travel
Okay! Okay! I know! The words “healthy travel” do go together! It is vacation and we all want a break during vacation. I am not saying that you need to run a marathon or even hit the gym all 10 days that you are at the beach. All I am saying is that you put a lot of hard work and effort into looking and feeling good the past few months so don’t completely throw it away while on vacation. A trip can be fun and healthy at the same time. Here are the top items that you will need to keep healthy and active while traveling so that you:
- can eat a churro or Dole Whip while at the amusement park
- can have a margarita every night
- can eat tacos for dinner three times
- can have dessert every single day
What to Pack: Stay Healthy and Active While Traveling
Snacks
Here are a variety of snack options:
- Protein Packed Snacks: My favorite are these peanut butter tubes. I love the squeezable easy small packages. Seriously! They are sealed, they can be thrown in a bag and all you have to do is rip the corner and devour. I like to spread them onto an apple. (If you have a not allergy these come in sunflower butter as well.)
- Fruit: See above. Apples go perfectly with a little peanut butter.
- Coconut Oil: I bring these along to add to my coffee. So nice to get them in the small tube pack so that I can throw them out and not carry around a giant tub 🙂
- Granola: Naked Granola is my go-to right now. Not only is it made in the USA but it is trans fat free! Available on Amazon (I know, right!) and at my local health food store I can take it in my carry on OR have or have it shipped to my hotel with my other Amazon goodies. “You are what you eat” is the saying that got this granola started. Plus 1% of their sales goes to end world hunger with The Hunger Project. Not only does it taste good but I can get behind a brand that is DOING good too.
Hydration
You may feel tired, have muscle cramps, or other serious symptoms when you get dehydrated. Water regulates your body temperature, lubricates your joints and transport nutrients to give you energy and keep you healthy. If you become dehydrated then your body will not work properly. So you need to carry a water bottle. Any water bottle will work.
I take mine through airport security clean and empty. Once through security you can go to any restaurant or fast food service in the airport and they will fill it up with ice water for you for free (at least they have everywhere that I have ever been in the states). I do the exact same thing when I go to amusement parks, the zoo, or museums. Hydration is key to keeping your body running and healthy.
Work Out Gear
It is so easy to take a few small work out items in your suitcase to make life easier once you get to your destination. I usually travel with the following:
- Jump Rope (small and light for travel): You can jump rope in the gym on property, on the grass, or even in your hotel room (just don’t do it at night when the people below you are sleeping.
- Collagen Peptides: I have psoriatic arthritis so these help keep my joints pain free and feeling good. I add it to my water in the morning before my workout.
- Evolve Fit Workout Gloves: These are my favorite by far. I take them down to the onsite gym and can lift weights, ride the bike or even jump rope without worrying about blisters or chafing. They protect my hands, keep sweat and keep calluses away. They provide extra padding in the heel of the hand to give me comfort and stability as I work out.
- Compression Socks: Not only are these perfect for long flights for circulation but they are great to throw on after a good workout once you get to your destination. Circulation and hydration are important factors for a healthy body.
All of this fits in the small side pocket in my bag so don’t say you have no room to take it when you travel. If I can find room so can you! What are your must haves to stay healthy when traveling?