Life Begins At.....
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/40177
BANNER BANNER Your Health Q & A with Troy Leggett We are about to go on a holiday. Do you have any suggestions for maintaining a healthier diet on our travels? If you have gone to all the trouble to plan an itinerary with accommodation, flights and sightseeing tours and adventures you should also plan what and where you are going to eat during your travels. Obviously, this will depend on your mode of travel. Some may be travelling on a cruise where all food is supplied, and some may be doing the drive around Australia, while others may be travelling in a foreign country trying the local authentic cuisine. Do your research before the holiday. Borrow travel books from the library, search the internet, and get ideas from others about the best areas to eat and any recommended eating places. I have found that during my travels these tips will help you find the good local cheap places to eat when you want to budget but also help you locate and also book the good quality eateries so you can experience the best of the local cuisine. The best method of approach when travelling is to firstly break it up into the different meals, i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. You can then look at the meals that you have control over versus the meals that are placed in front of you. For example if on a cruise or in a restaurant you will still have some choice over what foods you select. To avoid over-eating it may be ideal to share a dessert or entrée. Going without the garlic bread or bread roll on the side may save you money and definitely reduce some calorie intake. Try to select meals that have salads and vegetables and minimise or avoid deep fried and crumbed foods. As discussed earlier be sure to treat yourself to some good local cuisine as eating local foods and produce is an important part of the travel experience. Aim to have healthy and light meals during the days you are not so active and on the days you expect to be doing a lot of walking then be sure to have a complete breakfast and carry healthy snacks such as dried fruit, crackers, nuts, and most importantly water. This will save you money, keep you hydrated, provide you with enough energy to keep going and avoid hunger. Trying the local supermarkets to stock up on healthy snacks for these days may also provide you with an opportunity to experience different foods and grocery items local to the area. For those of you travelling with a caravan around Australia it is very much the same as living at home. Stock your pantry with low fat foods and healthy snacks. Purchase tinned fruits, vegetables, tuna and soups as these will come in handy when you are in remote locations where fresh produce is less available or expensive. If you have refrigeration be sure to carry products like low fat yoghurt that can be served for breakfast or a snack. Wholegrain crackers and rice crackers can be used to substitute bread when it is unavailable. The final tip is to consider the type of accommodation you have. If you are staying in the same location for a number of days it may be worthwhile paying a little extra to have self contained accommodation or something with a small kitchenette which will allow you to prepare your own breakfast each day and give you the option to eat in for the other meals. This can also save money and promote healthier eating during your stay. Happy and safe travels! TROY LEGGETT Troy is an accredited practising dietitian. Troy has a passion for assisting and empowering his client to prevent and manage chronic health conditions. As part of the Tree of Life team, Troy's qualifications allow him to help his clients understand how to combine diet and exercise to achieve their goals. Troy is committed to providing his clients with realistic personalised advice and supporting them in making lifelong changes while still enjoying the pleasures food brings to life. To find out more about Tree of Life International visit www.toli.com.au or call (07) 3891 6199. This is general advice only; a dietitian can provide you with individualised advice on healthy eating, an exercise physiologist can provide you with individualised advice on physical activity and exercise. THE RETIREE SPRING 137