Six ways to eat healthy when you're travelling

Being stranded in an airport without good food is pretty terrible -- sometimes you have to get creative and make do with limited resources in order to eat healthy and stay nourished while travelling. That may mean that you have to pack yourself a bunch of goodies to take with you when you're on the go, just in case. Even when there's food available to purchase while you're travelling, it's not worth worrying about waiting a few hours to eat or resorting to an unsatisfying meal full of refined sugar, white flour or fried foods.

If don't or can't bring your own food when you're on the road,make use of the internet and source out some of the healthier restaurants and stores that may be nearby. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions when you're in an unfamiliar place -- you may discover some amazing new places where the food is delicious!

Six tips for the travelling foodie

1. Scope out the scene before you fly with Happy Cow: This smart-phone app will help you find vegetarian and health-centered restaurants and health-food stores all over the world. 2. Remember quick and filling goodies: Healthy snack bars (Larabars, Pure Bar, etc) and trail mixes (see below!) are great choices for both the plane and to keep in your bag while travelling.

3. Make a quick-fix breakfast with rolled oats: You can make oatmeal anywhere! You may want to bring some cinnamon and powdered stevia, or your own favourite oatmeal additions.

4. Bring an organic dark chocolate bar: The healthy fat will keep you full, and the chocolate will keep you happy even if your fellow passengers aren’t always pleasant. Having this on hand will remove the temptation to get a mini, overpriced bag of junk food on the plane.

5. Pack more food than you think you'll need: Don’t just fill a single baggie with snacks, bring two. You never know what can happen! If your flight is delayed a few hours, or there are no healthy restaurants in sight, you’ll be grateful you have extras.  

6. Bring organic dried fruits: I like mango, apple and pear slices. Going organic is especially important for dried fruits, to make sure you skip the preservatives or extra sugar. The tendency for people in airports is to grab a bag of candy. Your dried fruit will save you the sugar, calories, colourings and blood-sugar crash.

Make this delicious trail mix combination in large batches -- it's a great snack even when you’re not travelling!

Super trail mix

Ingredients: 1 cup almonds 1 cup cashews 1 cup pumpkin seeds 1 cup raisins or goji berries (or both) 1/2 cup hemp seeds 1 cup cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips 1 cup coconut flakes 1/4 tsp sea salt

Directions: Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl and serve. Refill when done!

Marni Wasserman is a culinary nutritionist in Toronto whose philosophy is stemmed around whole foods. She is dedicated to providing balanced lifestyle choices through natural foods. Using passion and experience, she strives to educate individuals on how everyday eating can be simple and delicious.