Traveling is exhausting! Crowded airports, travel delays and all that unhealthy airport food. Airport food options are often limited. If you are on an adrenal fatigue healing journey, it’s essential to know which snacks to consume and which to avoid when traveling. Even when traveling, you want to keep your hormones balanced. Let’s discuss how to make the right snack choices when up in the air (or on the road).
My real life scenario
When I travel with my littles, I have a gallon Ziploc “snack bag” ready for them to dive into every five minutes. But when I travel alone – I’m a total scatterbrain sometimes and forget. Recently, on a flight, I didn’t even know my airport had built a new terminal, and I parked a mile away at the old one! So you better believe I showed up empty-handed when it came to the snacks.
Why smoothies are a no go
I tried to get a smoothie – but not so fast. I know – many people view smoothies as a healthy choice. The truth is that most smoothies at the airport contain way too much sugar and other unhealthy additives. Why? Well, many airport smoothie shops use pre-made mixes or powders. This means no fresh ingredients. These mixes often contain a high amount of added sugars and artificial flavors. This enhances the taste, making them more appealing. Well, if you’re only after taste. Furthermore, the portion sizes of these smoothies are often much larger than recommended serving sizes. This means that you may be consuming more sugar and calories than you realize in one drink! These smoothies likely also contain fruit juices or syrups as a base, rather than whole fruits.
Not only can consuming too much sugar lead to weight gain and other health issues, but it can also cause a spike in blood sugar levels followed by a crash. A crash is not something you want on a travel day when you need your energy! This is also especially concerning for those with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Keep reading to see what snacks I ended up purchasing.
Airport snacks to avoid
- Sugar and carbs – reaching for a chocolate bar or a bag of chips is tempting. But these foods will cause your blood sugar to spike, leading to a crash shortly after that.
- Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine. This can interfere with your sleep cycle. They are often high in sugar and artificial ingredients that harm the body.
- Processed foods – avoid burgers, hot dogs, and other fast-food options. These are often loaded with unhealthy fats, sodium, and chemicals.
Airport snacks to consume
- Nuts and seeds – try almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. These are excellent snacks on the go. These healthy fats, protein, and fiber that help keep your hormones balanced. On my latest trip, this is what I ended up opting for.
- Vegetables and hummus – veggies such as carrots, celery, and bell peppers, paired with a serving of hummus – yum! Always a good choice.
- Fresh fruit – grab an apple, pear, or banana to provide a natural energy boost. Fiber has many benefits, it helps to slow down digestion, which can prevent a blood sugar spike.
- Hard-boiled eggs are high in protein and a great way to keep your energy levels up. Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in a plastic container and are easy to pack as a quick snack.
- Homemade trail mix – make your trail mix at home! Grab your favorite nuts and seeds and add in some dried fruit. This is a great snack option for when you need a quick boost of energy.
Traveling is stressful on our bodies and minds. But, with the right snacks, we can keep our hormones balanced and our energy levels up. Avoid sugary and processed foods! Choose healthier, hormone-balancing options, like the ones listed here. Even try packing some of these snacks the next time you’re traveling. And, pack a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated on the go. Safe travels!
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