How to eat healthy during travel?
Top 5 tips on how to eat healthy while travelling
Nutritionist Ugne Radzeviciene: "Not tasty and too expensive healthy food - a myth of the past"
Food often becomes an integral part of everyday situations, we eat at meetings, while working on the computer, attending presentations or exhibitions. Eating now is more fun or just a short stop between endless day jobs rather than necessary fuel for the body. As dietitian Ugnė Radzevičienė says, it is worth remembering that it is still one of our essential sources of energy, and we must choose it responsibly. The energy it provides is essential when traveling, so proper eating habits during travel can significantly improve our well-being on vacation.
According to a survey conducted by research company Spinter Research, commissioned by ferry company DFDS, nearly half of the Lithuanian population misses healthy food choices while traveling abroad. Therefore, they bring food made by themselves or family members into their travel bags. However, despite this, frequent travelers complain of weight gain after the holidays. How do we eat on the go so that we get back from vacation without being tired and the extra kilos?
“First of all, it is worth realizing that it is essential to eat correctly during your travels, but it is not difficult at all. All you need to know is a few principles that will help you manage your diet in any situation, ”says dietitian Ugnė Radzevičienė, who shares 5 principles that will make traveling abroad fun and healthy.
1. Snack responsibly
When traveling, we often snack on aimlessly, thus inconspicuously increasing our calorie intake. However, according to U. Radzeviciene, the biggest problem is not here: “The biggest damage to our snack is the so-called instant carbohydrates, which are abundant in buns, chocolate bars, semi-finished foods, fast food. They suddenly raise the level of sugar in our blood, which the body immediately lowers with insulin. As our blood sugar levels fall, our energy levels falls, we feel sleepy or sick ”
According to the dietitian, it is better to choose fruits or salads for snacks, as these products have lower calorie content and healthy sugars.
According to the survey, 23% of those who travel by plane, train or ferry do not eat or bite at all, but wait for a meal at the restaurant after the trip. According to U. Radzevičienė, if it does not cause additional stress and the food consumed later is appropriate, such a solution is indeed possible.
2. Get to know the food
When planning a diet and avoiding high-carbohydrates, it is important to pay attention to all the products we choose to eat.
“If you are traveling overseas, check out the foreign eating habits and diets that prevail there. This will allow you to choose the places or products that are right for you to eat. It is especially important for those who are allergic to certain foods or have special needs, ”says Radzeviciene.
According to Spinter research, the quality of food when traveling is worrying - almost half of travelers would choose healthy food when traveling with the right price / quality ratio.
3. Take a break!
The diet regimen is important, but it should not be too strict. This is what the holiday is all about - to relax and get away from the routine. Paradoxically, an overly stressed diet system can interfere with these goals and may even be associated with extra weight gain.
“Too strict diet plan - especially during the holidays - is not the right choice. First of all, it causes unnecessary stress, which complicates the natural digestive processes. As a result, our food intake is reduced, and so is our well-being. In addition, it is difficult to follow a busy regime during holidays, which is why we tend to skip meals, snack excessively, and eventually not adhere to the diet plan at all, ”says Radzeviciene.
4. Give up negative attitudes
Healthy food is surrounded by a variety of myths, which, if abandoned, can be easily tamed.
U. Radzeviciene says that the approach to it needs to be changed from the very word: “When we say that we eat 'healthy' food, we sort of distinguish it as if it is a fad of fierce healthy eating and fashion. In fact, such food is normal food, what we need and what we need to consume daily, ”explains dietitian Ugne Radzeviciene.
According to a survey, some of the foods that are good for people's health are not chosen during their travels because they fear it is tasteless and too expensive. U. Radzeviciene asserts that all this is a myth: “Sometimes healthy food is even compared to hospital food - colorless and tasteless. Such a myth comes from earlier times when we didn't have that choice and quality of products. "
According to the dietitian, when it comes to healthier food choices, it is not the cost of each product that counts, but the monthly cost of food: “Although a fat blend is cheaper than quality butter, the latter is saturated and less consumed. In the long run, we save money. It's also important to keep in mind that a balanced diet helps us feel better and protects our health, so we don't have to spend extra money on treatment. "
5. Plan your diet as well as your journey
Before you travel, it is necessary to make a diet plan - to think not only of what you eat, but also where and when. This will make you feel calm, knowing that you will not be hungry during the day.
“A sense of security helps the body relax, so natural digestion processes run smoothly. Besides, knowing exactly when and where to eat, we do not start unnecessarily snacking, we do not overeat, ”says dietitian Ugne Radzeviciene.
According to a survey, people prepare food before traveling. The specialist says it's a good habit, but transport companies should also take care of the right food.
“With DFDS, we have come up with a healthy food menu that will be useful for those who want to eat healthy during their travels but have no or limited access to proper food. The availability of this type of food is essential to prevent people from going hungry on long journeys, which is detrimental in many ways, ”says Radzeviciene.
According to Vaidas Krūmas, Head of DFDS Shipboard Catering for the Baltic States, the choice of healthy food while traveling is not only beneficial but also necessary for some travelers: And trips - for example, from Klaipeda to Kiel - may take some time. To continually listen to our customers' needs and to understand that long travel times require a greater focus on quality ferry services, we wanted to offer an alternative menu where everyone would find a meal that suits them. That's why we start serving ferries with vegetarian, vegan, sugar or gluten-free food prepared by specially trained professional chefs. All the dishes on the ferries and the menu itself were created in collaboration with dietitian Ugne Radzeviciene. ”
Contact Details for Press
Please direct all media enquiries about DFDS Group to the Communications department in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Group Communications
Global Media Relations
Our routes
View all of our available routes here
Championing the Seas!
We're elated to announce that DFDS has once again retained its title as Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator at the 2024 World Travel Awards.
This accolade wouldn’t have been possible without you, our loyal passengers. Thank you for recognising the hard work of our exceptional team members who are dedicated to ensuring each voyage is as exceptional as the next.
Your ongoing support is the anchor to our success.