It’s a brand new year. A clean slate. Time to start a few new habits to live a healthier and more active life! We’re certainly getting on the bandwagon this year by trying to eat healthier foods and make time for exercise every day. The picture above was taken while we were house-sitting in New Zealand – this was only one day’s take from the garden!
One thing we’re trying to do more as we travel is to EAT CLEAN. It’s a term you hear often, but what does eating clean really mean? It’s not about how often you wash your veggies, but about staying as close to nature as possible. Try to avoid processed foods from boxes or cans and instead pick lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables (organic if possible), and drink lots of water to flush your system. Sometimes this isn’t the easiest thing to do when you’re traveling, but a little preparation goes a long way to helping you stick to your goals.
Here are some specific fruits and vegetables to look for in the produce market for better health –
Skin Health – Look for bright colors to guide you. Sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, and butternut squash are all high in the powerful antioxidant beta carotene. Beta carotene helps shield the body from damaging free radicals that age our skin.
Heart Health – Red onions and red wine! Well, probably not at the same time…but, red onions contain an anti-clotting compound that can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. Red wine contains the flavonoid called reservatrol to help bring increased levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol in the body.
Brain Boost – To help with memory…now where did I put my keys? Add an extra serving of beets to your plate. Beets help produce nitric oxide in the body, which open blood vessels in the brain. More blood to the brain is a good thing!
Mood Enhancers – To start your day off on the right foot, grab a banana. High in magnesium to raise your spirits and potassium to provide sustained energy, this fruit is a natural antidepressant. Also bananas are packed with vitamin B6, which is a necessary for making the body’s level of neurotransmitters, like serotonin, higher. So much goodness in a portable package.
Food is our fuel and food can be what brings us together. However, making good choices about what we eat is a struggle for us when we travel. Hopefully together we can lend encouragement to others who may be going through the same dilemma – should I have the apple pie or would I be just as happy with an apple? EAT CLEAN. We know what’s best for us, but sometimes making the right decision is hard.
How do you manage to eat healthy when you’re traveling or even when you’re home?
Happy, Healthy Travels for 2018!
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Yes, eating healthy and clean is definitely a priority for me in 2015. Thanks for the tips!
Excellent tips and eating lifestyle. I follow a lot of these principles, and have a snacking mentality…need to cut out all the junk food which is always difficult when traveling and always on the run.
Those vegetable photos look delectably clean and delicious!
We’re eating way more fruits and vegetables than we ever did on the mainland U.S. It all started when we moved to Hawaii. I’ve heard many say, and we’ve found it to be true as well, that if you stay out of the center aisles of the first world groceries, you’re better off. That’s where all the processed foods are with the unpronounceable ingredients. If I see a label and can’t pronounce what’s on it, I pass.
Loved the info and we’ve made it a priority to eat better this year. You’re so right about travel presenting many difficulties about eating healthy on the road. Many Central and South American countries have a very limited selection of vegetables and fruits and rely heavily on plantains, beans and rice as well as frying. We cook for ourselves as much as we can but it can be very challenging to select healthy foods.
Great tidbits of nutritional information. If only I would like to eat bananas – LOL. I already cringe at the smell of a banana, except the really sweet and small “Lady Finger” variety. But since I’m a vegetarian I’m sure I still get enough ‘goodies’ in my diet.
Great advice! I do try to eat clean and drink plenty of water, but you know how it goes. I didn’t know that bananas are an antidepressant. Next time I’m blue, I’ll eat one.