Traveling can make it tough to eat clean. Here's how to avoid bad food on the road. @naturalvitality
Whether you’re traveling for work or fun, what you eat while away from home will greatly affect how you feel. Fortunately, there are more healthy options than ever before, with a focus on local food and special diets like vegetarian and gluten-free.
Here are five resources to keep you and your family eating clean while on the road.
Farmers’ Markets
Did you know that there are over 8,000 farmers’ markets across the U.S.? In addition to fresh produce, you’ll often find fine breads, cheeses and other delicious eats for a fraction of the cost of dining out. Plus you’ll meet local farmers and producers—and enjoy a real taste of the regional food culture. Discover options at your next travel destination by doing a quick search of farmers’ market listings, by U.S. city, at localharvest.org.
Sweetgreen Restaurants
If you’re traveling to a major East Coast city this summer, satisfy your taste for delicious local foods, without paying bistro prices, at Sweetgreen, the sustainable-food restaurant chain that sources organic, local ingredients. With seasonal menus that change monthly and a strictly from-scratch cooking philosophy, Sweetgreen offers fresh, California-inspired cuisine in 27 locations in Massachusetts; New York; Washington, DC; Maryland; Pennsylvania and Virginia. Try a twist on a classic, like the Kale Caesar, or inventive eats like Spicy Sabzi salad with quinoa, beets, roasted tofu, and carrot-chili vinaigrette. And don’t miss Sweetgreen’s organic cold-pressed juices, including Hydrate—a mix of cucumber, pineapple, coconut water, pear and lime. To learn more and find locations, go to Sweetgreen.com.
Vegetarian Fare
While many restaurants now offer at least one vegetarian option, there are still times when not a lot is on the menu sans meat. HappyCow’s mission is to assist travelers and people everywhere in finding vegan, vegetarian and healthy food. More than simply a restaurant and health food store guide, HappyCow is an ever-evolving online hub that serves millions worldwide as a one-stop resource for everything veg. The site makes it easy to find the best vegetarian options throughout the United States.
Airport Eats
Airports are notorious for overpriced and lousy food. This is rapidly changing, though, with healthy options tucked into terminals from Cleveland to Los Angeles. If you travel a fair bit, consider downloading the GateGuru app. In addition to other valuable information like flight times, this app’s Amenities section will tell you all the restaurants available at any given airport. That means you won’t have to eat a fast-food meal only to find another healthier option further down the terminal. This can make a big difference in helping you discover restaurants like Sweetgreen at the LAX terminal, the world’s first entirely plant-based airport restaurant.
Getting Gluten-Free
Whether you must avoid gluten because it makes you ill, or if you just want less gluten in your diet, Find Me Gluten Free and its apps are indispensable. The company believes that whether you’re traveling, socializing, or you just need a quick bite to eat, people living a gluten-free lifestyle should be able to eat safely and comfortably. They can help you find gluten-free friendly businesses and to share your experiences with other people in the gluten-free community. The review section of the website is particularly helpful for diners looking for not just gluten-free but great-tasting gluten-free foods.
