I'm Eating, On a Jetplane

I LOVE to travel. It's so important for me to get out of my routine and mix things up a little - see new sights, meet new people, and most importantly, eat new food.

Did I mention food?

I always say, everyone has that one "thing" they travel for. Some people like to take pictures, some people want to do all the touristy stuff... well, I like to EAT! Wherever I go, I always make it a point to try the local cuisine, and to get the best food experience I can possibly have while I'm there.

As you can imagine, this doesn't bode well for diets.

Once, I started a cleanse just before I went to New York. I surprisingly made it all the way through, but stopped a day short in favor of stuffing my face with some really delicious Korean BBQ.

Oh, well.

But here's the thing: as much as I travel, I could really pack on the pounds if I ate this way every time I went somewhere. Trying what a city is famous for is great, but let's be honest... no city is famous for it's kale salad. With all the traveling I do, I've had to find a balance between being a foodie and eating healthy while on the road.

I've pulled together this quick guide with my best tips and tricks. Enjoy!

1. Always try to eat a healthy meal before heading to the airport. Depending on where you're flying out of, food options can be really minimal. Avoid having to choose between McDonald's and airport sushi by making time to grab a bite beforehand!

2. If you can't eat beforehand, bring food with you! The TSA actually allows most foods to be brought through security and onto the plane, so long as they are wrapped up.

3. There are always healthy options - you just have to look! Getting the tummy rumbles on the plane with no food and 3 hours left before landing? Go for the trail mix instead of the Chips Ahoy. In the middle of nowhere, Wisconsin with 2 diners to choose from? Head to the local grocery store and pick up something from the deli.

4. You don't have to eat all the things. Yes, New York is famous for pizza, bagels and dirty water dogs. But you don't have to do it all! If you know you're having pizza for dinner, find a cool breakfast joint that serves some lighter, healthier options. At a conference? Opt for the boring salad in the lunchroom that afternoon so you can pig out on some real New York food that night!

5. Don't start a diet while you're traveling. I know I know, there's never a convenient time to start a diet. But if you know you're going on a weeklong business trip to the midwest, that might not be the best week to start your juice cleanse. Set yourself up for success! Take it from me ;)

Do you have any tips for being a healthy foodie while traveling? I'd love to hear them! Let me know in the comments below.