How to travel during a Whole30 – a few tips and tricks that will have you prepared if you need and/or want to travel during a round of Whole30
Whether it’s because it’s summer time, spring break, and/or a work trip, sometimes traveling during a Whole30 is inevitable. The idea may seem a bit daunting, but it’s totally doable. You just have to plan and prep before your trip. The game is to always be over-prepared rather than under-prepared.
You can’t wing it while traveling and doing a Whole30. Being prepared for every possible scenario will ensure you stay compliant, but can still enjoy your travels!
Here are a few tips and tricks I do whenever I travel and I’m doing a round or want to continue with my healthy habits:
- Stick as closely to your everyday routine while traveling so there’s a sense of normalcy. Yes, you’re traveling, but it doesn’t mean your everyday habits have to go out the door. If you have a morning routine, stick to it. Treat each day like a normal day as possible.
- Make sure you have your Whole30 emergency snack travel bag packed and ready to go. I like to fill a little pouch with compliant protein bars, baby food pouches, to-go olive snacks, and etc. I throw that pouch in my suitcase/carry-on/travel bag/etc until I’m ready to use it. Always make sure it’s filled. When I come home from a trip, I fill it back up if I need to and throw it back into my suitcase so it’s ready for my next trip.
- If possible, book an AirBnB so you’re guaranteed a kitchen. If you’re staying in a hotel, book a room with a kitchen or at least book a room with a mini-fridge and microwave.
- Go to a local grocery and stock up on fresh veggies and fruits (buying pre-cut will be helpful if you don’t have a kitchen). Stock up on pre-cooked proteins like deli meats, hard boiled eggs, chicken sausages, a rotisserie chicken, burgers, and etc. Buy stuff that doesn’t require a lot of prep work but can easily be made into a meal with or without a kitchen.
- Check to see if there is a Whole30 meal delivery service in the area (i.e. Kitchfix, Snap Kitchen, Model Meals) and have some meals delivered to your hotel room.
- Research, research, and research restaurants in the area before you’re even there. Be the person to suggest where to eat. Make it work in your favor but if that’s not the case, be prepared. Call the restaurant ahead of time and ask questions about the menu (most restaurants have their menus online). If you have to eat a salad with plain chicken or steak, bring your own dressing in a small container to liven things up.
- Stay hydrated. Always bring a reusable water bottle with you whenever you travel. Sometimes our bodies mistaken thirst for hunger.
- Remember why you’re traveling. If it’s a family vacation, focus on hanging out with your family and all the activities you have planned. Shifting the focus to the social aspect of traveling will help relieve the pressure of always thinking about or worrying about food.
- Let your community know. If you’re traveling with other people, let them know you are doing a Whole30 so you have extra support, and so you don’t have to keep explaining to everyone you’re doing a Whole30.
- Last but certainly not least, prepare meals for your return home. Before you leave, make a few meals that can be frozen or will keep in the fridge during the amount of time you’ll be away. Have things like frozen burgers and veggies ready for your return home. Other veggies like potatoes, onions, squashes and etc also keep well on the counter for awhile. The last thing you want to do is come home to an empty kitchen after a day of traveling.
I hope these How to Travel During a Whole30 tips and tricks help you while you’re traveling! If you have any go-to travel hacks, let me know! The more ways to successful do a Whole30 while traveling, the better.