Healthy Gut Habits, Road Trips Edition

Do you like road trip vacations? I do! For my husband and I, road trips have always been a thrilling way to create unforgettable memories. And, while enjoying the freedom and excitement of the open road, it’s crucial for me to look after my physical well-being and keep my healthy habits alive. Let me share my tips for maintaining a healthy gut lifestyle while traveling in a car and staying in hotels.

While on a road trip, maintaining our intake of probiotics and prebiotics and eating healthy whole foods may be challenging, but it’s possible with a little planning. As you know, many fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain prebiotics. Good options for a road trip include bananas, apples, oranges, and whole-grain crackers. Consuming enough probiotics is not that difficult either, as we always have a cooler with us and all hotel rooms come with a fridge. That makes it possible to eat probiotic-rich foods like Greek yogurt, kefir, or fermented vegetables.

There are also several non-perishable sources of probiotics that you can pack, such as probiotic supplements or powders, which you can mix into water or juice. Drinks like kombucha and some types of fermented fruit juices are also easy to consume on the go. They’re often available even at gas stations or convenience stores.

While exploring new destinations, indulging in local cuisine is part of the fun. We try to balance the meals by opting for healthier choices most of the time. We order dishes with probiotics and prebiotics and big salads with grilled chicken or baked fish as the main course. Many restaurants have salad bars, making it easy to eat lots of vegetables, and offer gluten-free and dairy-free options for most of the meals.

Of course, reading the labels is not possible when you eat out. This is why we limit it to one meal a day. For us, picnic lunches are the best choice!

There’s an undeniable charm to picnic lunches on a road trip. Driving through scenic routes, dotted with fruit stands and farmers’ markets, is so much fun! The opportunity to buy fresh, locally grown produce presents itself at every turn. Selecting sun-kissed fruits, vegetables straight from the earth, or handcrafted cheeses transforms a simple meal into a feast of flavor and authenticity. We pull over in a picturesque spot, a serene lakeside, or a breathtaking overlook, and set out our yummies on a picnic blanket. The food tastes so much better! Each bite connects us to the region, its people, and their hard work. As we eat, we relish not just the food, but the whole sensory experience - the smell of the surrounding nature, the warmth of the sun, the gentle rustle of leaves, or the sounds of waves. Mindful eating at its best! This is the joy of picnic lunches on the road trip - an embodiment of freedom, discovery, and a profound connection with the natural world around you.

Stay hydrated, it’s so important! We always have a huge water container in the car and refill it at the pit stops. This takes care of any emergency, too. A few water bottles in the cooler on ice are always ready to take on a hike or a walk.

Staying active is so essential during road trips, as long hours of sitting can take a toll on our bodies. Some days we had to drive for 5-6 hours. When you’re spending so many hours at a time in a vehicle, it’s all too easy to slip into a sedentary routine. However, you can transform any road trip into a journey of physical activity and exploration. This is how we do it.

To prioritize our well-being, we take active breaks when stopping for gas or bathroom breaks. During these stops, we stretch, take short walks, and do squats and lunges. We feel much better despite weird looks!

Even in the confines of your vehicle, there are opportunities for activity. Simple exercises such as neck rolls, arm stretches, and leg lifts can help keep your body active and your blood circulating.

I always take my yoga mat on all trips. Not all hotels have gyms or swimming pools, so the yoga mat and the Fitness Plus app on my phone are my best friends!

Then there are the planned activities. We plan routes through national parks or along scenic trails, allowing us to stay fit while also experiencing the beauty of the areas we’re traveling through.

And don’t forget about the cool stuff you can do when you hit the towns and cities along the route. Have you ever walked through a pioneer village or a historic town? It’s like stepping into a time machine. You get to see how people used to live way back in the day, with old-school houses, saloons, city halls, etc.

And then there are the art galleries and museums. Those are my candy stores! Whether or not you’re into art and history, these places are always worth a stop. You get to see local artists’ work and even some famous paintings or sculptures. Plus, the buildings themselves are often cool and Insta-worthy.

So, when you’re planning your road trip, leave some time to explore what the towns and cities have to offer. What you find may surprise you!

Off to the next habit - getting enough sleep. While driving across the continent and changing time zones, it’s important not to compromise on sleep. We make sure that we get a good night’s rest by booking decent hotels with comfortable beds and swimming pools and checking in early with enough time to relax and unwind. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine is important but does not always happen on vacations. Well, this is when it’s important to remember that moderation is the key to safe driving the next day and better enjoyment of our adventures.

Road trips can come with their fair share of stress. Things sometimes don’t go as planned. We’ve had flat tires and wrong turns in the past. But we learned to put things into perspective and take a breather: when we’re safe and healthy, we can fix and correct everything. The primary goal is to have new experiences, lots of sunshine and fresh air, and an active lifestyle, and enjoy them to the fullest.

Sometimes we take off and go where the road goes and the wind blows, choosing a route based on our mood or the information we gather along the way. Unexpected detours, spontaneous attractions, and hidden gems make our vacations more enjoyable and adventurous. And all that, in itself, is a huge stress buster.

Road trips can be a true adventure filled with unforgettable experiences, but also an incredible opportunity to embrace and maintain our health and reinforce our healthy habits. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, and staying healthy is a big part of enjoying the ride. I hope you can use these tips for your next vacation.