Traveling this Thanksgiving?

How To Snack Well On The Way

Eating well (healthy) during the holidays is tough enough....but, trying to eat healthy while traveling? Well, that's next to impossible. (At least, that's what I think.) Luckily, that isn't so....this article from the Huffington Post has some great tips to keep in mind when trying to be healthy while traveling:

On your way to the airport? While today may not be the busiest travel day of the year, despite the common misconception, there are certainly a lot of people on the road. If you're part of the pre-Thanksgiving travel crowd, you may find that the hectic schedule throws a wrench in your routine.

As you make your way to your gate or down the interstate, hungry and perhaps even stressed out, it can be tempting to stop at the fast food drive-thrus or airport bakeries and restaurants -- a sure way to get extra calories you don't really need.

"Traveling wears you down, which can make it harder for you to make good food choices. But there are plenty of good options out there," says Joy Bauer, MS, RD, CDN of Joy Bauer Nutrition Centers and the nutrition expert on the Today Show. So what are they? We asked Bauer and Lisa Young, Ph.D., R.D., C.D.N., a nutrition professor and HuffPost blogger, to take us through a healthy on-the-road eating plan:

Don't Leave Home Hungry

"Eat a good meal before you leave," Young says. That'll keep you from grabbing the first thing you find once you get through security. And by eating out of your own kitchen, you'll know exactly what you're putting in your body.

Come Prepared

"If you’re a planner, bring snacks from home," Bauer says. She recommends nuts, seeds or roasted edamame. Or pieces of fruit that won't be messy -- like bananas or clementines.

Take A Lap

"Do not buy the first thing you see," counsels Young. "You can often get healthy stuff if you look for it, so take a lap around before buying."

Find The Refrigerated Case

While shelves are full of chips and candy bars, the refrigerated case is more likely to have hummus, yogurt, low-fat cheese and other healthful picks, according to Bauer.

Stay Hydrated

We often mistake thirst for hunger, so keeping well-stocked in the water department can help stave off hunger pangs. Especially in the drying environment of the airplane, water can do wonders. And, according to Bauer, being hydrated keeps you feeling fresher during your journey.

Stick To Individual Portions

Whether you bring snacks from home or buy them on the road, be sure to choose single portions. "When you’re being held captive on the plane or in the car, it’s easy to overeat and you wind up going through the whole bag … so don’t give yourself the option."

Lisa Young's Picks

Seltzer or water instead of soda
Single-serving bag of nuts
Whole grain popcorn
Mini hummus
Baby carrots
V8 juice (low sodium if you can find it)

Joy Bauer's Picks

A bag of nuts or sunflower seeds
A piece of fruit
Roasted edamame
Light popcorn
Pistachios
Nature Valley or KIND granola bars

Soure of story and photo: Huffington Post

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Traveling this Thanksgiving?