fitnessprincess’s BodyBlog

The airport is not the healthiest environment for a figure competitor.   McDonalds, Burger King, Cinnabon – need I say more?  That said, you can generally find coffee, water, salad, fresh fruit, nuts, jerky, and energy bars…for a price.  If your diet is carb friendly well carbs abound.  If you are on restricte carbs like me, better to do some prep work and pack what you need.   Staples for me include Snackmaster’s salmon or tuna jerky (they also make turkey jerky if you are carnivorous), baggies filled with 52-g servings of Kashi Go Lean (satisfying but not tempting combined protein, fat, carb source), 1-oz of walnuts or almonds (I like tamari almonds), and bags of pink salmon or tuna.  I also pack a few energy bars though I am not a big fan of these – I prefer whole foods (more bang for the nutritional buck and more satiety).

Personally, I don’t believe in cooking foods for my trip.  However another approach some use is to book a hotel room furnished with a refrigerator (note:  if not provided, ask if they hotel can provide you with a small one) and bring their food with them.  This means you need to prepare.  Seriously.  You will need to cook up a batch of chicken or fish and asparagus in bulk, put your foods in single serving baggies, and store them in a small cooler and which you will have to carry around with you – sorry but just friggin’ insane from my perspective.  However, that’s another option.  Totally up to you.

While traveling, drink water.  Drink lots of water.  If you are a woman you should be drinking a gallon of water each day (note I didn’t say coffee, soft drinks, etc.  I said water!).  This will help keep you full and help prevent you from making any dietary mistakes.   I carry several packets of Celestial Season’s zingers-to-go, a stevia-based green tea powder you can add to flavor your water.  If you are into splenda then you may want to bring some Xtal Lite or a similar product.  Do not try to eat light during the day because that is a sure-fire way of stoking your hunger and causing an unwanted break from your diet.  Been there and done that.   Also be careful not to overdo the coffee.   I probably love coffee more than you do but it can really dehydrate you and that’s the last thing you need when you travel.

I don’t do splenda but I do do stevia. So, I carry packets with me in my pocket book and my backpack so I am not caught without when eating out.

I also carry single serving bags of my favorite green teas.  If you have your own tea bag, you can go to Au Bon Pain or Starbuck’s at most airports and simply ask for hot water in a cup at no charge.  Works for me.  Also, most hotels provide a coffee maker in the rooms these days.

A word about airport security.  You cannot bring water or other liquids through the security checkpoint so leave it at home.  Water is just about the only thing you can safely purchase at every airport though it will cost you $$.  You might want to think long and hard about semi-solid foods like yoghurt.  You can only carry these in containers holding 3 fluid ounces or less.