5 Golden Rules of Worry-Free Travelling

Amanda Labourot July 10, 2014 Eat Well, Health

Going on vacation soon? Looks like it’ll be a long journey? Here are some tips that will help both adults and kids enjoy the holidays from start to finish!

Rule #1: Hydration and freshness…

This tip is not applicable if you are taking a plane. Firstly because most airlines don’t let you travel with containers larger than 100 ml and secondly because on the plane, you can ask for as much free water as you want.

If you’re using another means of transport, carrying some supplies will come in handy. That way, you won’t spend money at service stations on the way. To keep your water cool for as long as possible, what you should do is fill a bit of water in a bottle or flask and pop it in the freezer the night before you leave. On D-day, simply fill the rest of the bottle with water so that you’ll end up with a refreshing drink for the maximum amount of time!

People who like flavoured beverages should stay away from juices, milk or sodas as these can make you sick on a long car ride. However, a healthy and equally delicious solution would be to flavour your water with lemon (you can use our famous homemade lemonade recipe). You can also add frozen fruits in your water bottle: it’s a great way to flavour your drink. Use peaches, strawberries or raspberries for a sweet taste.

Rule #2: Healthy snacks for a relaxed journey.

If you’re travelling with children, carry snacks: this will mark the passing time and distract them from constantly asking, “are we there yet?” But avoid berries and small-sized snacks as these might cause choking when the car goes over a bump or something on the road.

Just like at home, the snacks shouldn’t be too fatty or sweet. What’s more, when you remain seated for a long time, digestion is slower. So fatty snacks can result in nausea. On the other hand, fibre promotes bowel movement. That’s why I advise you to bring whole grain cereals in bite-sized pieces. These will definitely not be forbidden at the customs or at the airport!

Rule #3: A cold and hassle-free meal.

Plan a cold and healthy picnic during long trips. You can prepare a salad-meal the day before. I suggest you complete it with fruits for dessert. Be sure to pack larger quantities so that you can snack on them when you feel peckish later on.

If you have a bit of time before you leave, you could prepare an actual dessert in advance. Eating a slice of moist cake during the trip will almost seem like a meal at home!

Rule #4: Don’t forget hygiene!

Whether you travel by car or train, always carry a toothbrush and toothpaste with you. The longer the journey, the more you’ll appreciate freshening your breath. Your fellow travellers will also be equally grateful to you…

If you’re travelling by car, you may not always have the opportunity to make a halt for brushing teeth. So finish off your meal with food that is known for its anti-caries power like milk, yogurt, nuts and seeds and cheese, rather than sweet desserts.

Finally, a “detergent”-type food at the end of the meal might be a good idea. Firm and crunchy foods are supposed to help clean teeth and are useful if you feel you can’t brush your teeth immediately. Such is the case with apples, raw carrots or celery.

Rule #5: Respect the environment.

To avoid accumulating too much rubbish, you should maximize your cooking to minimize packaging waste. Also, pull up at rest areas once every 2 hours. This way, you can empty the rubbish, get some fresh air and stretch your legs by taking a healthy walk. What’s more, it’s a much-deserved break for the person who is driving the car.

Author

Amanda Labourot

Passionate about communications - but less clued up on cooking - Amanda hopes to gain some insights from SOSCuisine about improving one's health on a daily basis, whilst enjoying good food.