How To Plan For A Successful Trip Without Jeopardizing Your Health

Is it time to start getting ready for your next trip?

For many people, this means shopping in store and online. After all, you need the season’s hottest color mixed into your wardrobe 🔥. However, a successful trip is more than just packing the right clothes. Obviously, you’ll also need your everyday essentials: toothbrush, face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, shoes, shorts, dresses, etc. But, what will you be eating?

And I don’t just mean eating during the actual vacation itself. 

Think about what you’ll be eating in the car, at the airport, on the plane, and on the way to your destination after you land. 

I spent two decades flying the friendly skies as a flight attendant, and I can tell more than a couple of tales about hangry colleagues and passengers. But rather than spilling tea, I want to help you keep your head high, your energy thriving, and your health a priority – no matter where you are or where you’re going. 

How To Pack For A Successful Trip

Are you the type of person who makes a list and packs exactly what you need? 

Or do you find yourself cramming whatever foods are in sight and not giving another thought until you're flying through the clouds?

Whether you’re a super planner or living on the edge, what you need to eat healthy on trips may surprise you. Yes, you’ll likely pass a convenience store. The airport will probably have at least a restaurant or two. And there’s got to be grocery stores where you’re going, right? While all this can be helpful, assumptions around food are what throw off even the most meticulous of plans. 

Consider what can go wrong on your trip:

⛔ Traffic makes you late to the airport

🤼 TSA has a mile-long line and your pre-check just expired

🥡 Airport restaurants are packed with long waiting lists

🚰 Buying bottled water for everyone seriously cuts into your budget 

And this is just the what ifs before you board!

Going to the airport used to be like going to a ball game. You know ahead of time the price of the ticket, but then you have overpriced snacks, drinks, and a whole lot of time waiting in lines.

Download my Travel Guide to prepare for your trip like a pro!

Add Travel Must Haves To Your Grocery Order

Ok, let’s get to cookin’, or you know, packing easy, healthy snacks for your trip 😉.

When making your packing list, make sure to include nutritious snacks and, of course, a water bottle. But that’s not all!

Make sure to think about what you’ll need for your upcoming trip before your next grocery run. Trust me, you’ll be so thankful for this tip!

Healthy Snacks

What are your go-to favorite snacks? Can you buy a box of snack-sizes to have on hand? Or would you prefer portioning several ziplock bags full? Either way, make it happen!

Think apple slices, berries, nuts, and protein bars. Heck, you can even package up the leftovers in your fridge. I mean, it’s that or toss them – may as well make the most of the delicious meal you made!

Hydration

Ok, you already have your handy dandy water bottle. That’s a good start! We all know the TSA rules, no liquids, so make sure to drink your bottle before going through security. Then, once you're through, keep an eye out for water fountains. 

Most airports these days have water fountains designed to easily fill up water bottles, so take advantage! 

But if you’re a caffeine craving being (no shame in that game!), prepare to skip the Starbucks line. As a coffee lover myself, I bring my Organo Gold instant coffee. Then, all I need is hot water and poof! I’ve got my favorite coffee without the wait.

Supplements

Obviously, you’ll want to pack your regular supplements to take on your trip. However, you should include a couple extras. 

We all know jet lag can be a plan killer. But did you know you can fight jet lag before it starts? And you can also give yourself some extra rest to make the most out of your trip.

Melatonin

Ensure shut eye on the plane and/or once it’s bedtime at your destination. A change in time zones messes up sleep schedules. But rather than lying awake all night, take melatonin to help reset your body’s circadian rhythm. Then, you can wake up at the appropriate time to hit all of your to-dos on your itinerary. 

Liquid I.V.

We all need a little help sometimes. Liquid I.V. is the water supplement packed with electrolytes that can keep you pushing forward. Plus, they come in individual packs. You just simply add the powder to your water and shake, shake, shake!

You’ll feel better, fight dehydration, and have the energy you need to enjoy your vacation! 

Need more helping choosing what to pack for a successful trip? Download my Travel Guide!

Set Expectations For Yourself & Your Traveling Group

You can do all the planning and setting expectations for yourself. But if you’re traveling with a group, whether that be family, friends, or work colleagues, plans can change.

This is why it’s so important to set expectations for yourself as well as your traveling group. Let them know ahead of time that you will continue prioritizing your health even when you’re away from home. If you have food sensitivities, let them be known. 

Furthermore, plan to share so that hungry kids (or adults) don’t eat up your pre-portioned snacks. After all, there’s always someone who says they’re not hungry until their ears pop up at the sound of you opening your snack bag. In fact, I saw this a lot as a flight attendant. My hungry colleagues would drool over my pre-planned meals that I would prepare for my four-day shifts. If I can pack four days’ worth of healthy meals in an ice chest, you can get through one day of travel – it just takes preparation!

Avoid Airport Headaches & Price Gouging

Any seasoned traveler will tell you that getting through the airport without issue comes down to a science.

It’s not just about what you pack, but also how you pack. If you have pre-check, you can hop into the shorter line and walk through with your shoes on, laptop still in your bag, and all that good stuff. However, even pre-check sees holdups, and sometimes you have to remove those items. 

Especially if you don’t have pre-check, it’s best to pack so you can retrieve anything that you need to remove in security. This means having your liquids and gels in 3.4 oz containers (or smaller) already in a ziplock bag, ready to pull out to put in a bin. Keep your laptop accessible so you can slip it out with ease. And do yourself a favor by wearing shoes that are easy to slip on and off. At the very least, avoid wearing the shoes that take the longest to get on and off. 

As soon as you’re through security and have your shoes on and luggage re-packed, fill up your water bottle. Now you can make your way to your gate, find a seat, and snack on the food you brought. You’ll be so thankful for your planning when you pass those crazy long lines. Plus, you’ll be able to spend the money you saved at your destination while enjoying your vacation!

Now, once it’s time to board, you already have your water and snacks ready for the flight. Since you won’t be at the mercy of in-flight snacks and drinks, you can pull your eye mask down and get some well-needed shut eye. You are all set to arrive at your destination bright-eyed, bushy tailed, and ready to take in the sights!

Preparation Is Key To Smooth Sailing At Home & In The Air

Reduce stress in your everyday life and on trips by always having a food plan. Know what you’re going to eat and when, and you’ll never get hangry. Plus, when you prioritize your meals, you won’t eat whatever’s within reach and feel the bloat and fatigue that comes with overprocessed, sugary, and salty foods. Instead, you’ll have the energy to do all the activities on your wishlist.

Download my Travel Guide today and set yourself up for traveling success!