I am writing this a few thousand meters up in the air, about halfway between London and Washington DC. The air hostess just asked me to choose between canelonis or a chicken curry, followed by ice-cream, and I’m glad I came prepared: spinach, chicken and quinoa salad pour moi!
Long flights (or long travel journeys in general) can get in the way of our fitness goals. I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to have a cheat day, I’ve rather save it to try some specialities in the country I’m visiting, that waste the calories on air plane food.
So here are my top tips to stay healthy and avoid weight gain during a long flight.
Long flights (or long travel journeys in general) can get in the way of our fitness goals. I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to have a cheat day, I’ve rather save it to try some specialities in the country I’m visiting, that waste the calories on air plane food.
So here are my top tips to stay healthy and avoid weight gain during a long flight.
Exercise before your flight
If your flight isn’t too early, try to exercise before making your way to the airport. Ideally outdoors. I usually go for a quick run before, to try and make up for the hours that will be spent sitting down.
Pack some snacks
I always pack some healthy snacks, such as protein bars or nuts. Always good to have at easy reach, if your flight gets delayed for instance. My favourite snacks at the moment include Nakd bars, Quest bars, Women’s Best cookies, dried pineapple (Urban Fruit).
I always like to pack fruit such as appled, bananas or oranges. Although be careful if you are travelling to the US! You are not allowed to enter the U.S territory with food, especially fruit. So if you don’t like to waste, don’t bring anything you know you won’t eat before landing!
I always like to pack fruit such as appled, bananas or oranges. Although be careful if you are travelling to the US! You are not allowed to enter the U.S territory with food, especially fruit. So if you don’t like to waste, don’t bring anything you know you won’t eat before landing!
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prepare your meals in advance
People often forget that although you can’t bring liquids on a flight, you are totally allowed to bring food! Pack a lunchbox for your main meals. Click here to watch my video on how to meal prep. As an example, here’s what was in my lunchbox today:
85g quinoa + 150g chicken + ½ avocado + handful spinach, cucumber, tomatoes
*Spare your neighbours and avoid smelly ingredients like tuna!
85g quinoa + 150g chicken + ½ avocado + handful spinach, cucumber, tomatoes
*Spare your neighbours and avoid smelly ingredients like tuna!
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Your big water bottle is the only thing you can’t bring with you. Buy a big bottle after going through security, to ensure you drink enough throughout the flight. If it’s right there in front of you, you won’t forget to drink!
* Pick the aisle seat! (You’ll understand why)
* Pick the aisle seat! (You’ll understand why)
say no to sugary drinks
Stay away from the alcohol, sodas, and other sweet drinks. Here are the healthiest / least calorific drinks you can order besides water: tomato juice, sparkling water & lemon, tea or coffee.
breakfast at the airport
All London airport terminals are great when it comes to healthy eating. You can walk in almost any restaurant or café and order a porridge, eggs, or avocado on toast. To have in or to go. But that definetly isn’t the case everywhere! In England, safe bets are chains like EAT or Pret A Manger. Be prepared and pack some boiled eggs or a protein bar for breakfast… just in case!
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time difference
Depending on the destination you are flying to, time difference can be tricky to deal with, in terms of meal prep. Taking the example of the U.S, which are 5 hours behind, I usually add 1 meal (I would normally have 6 meals in a typical day, which I increase to 7 when I’m travelling). But it’s ok! You will probably be up late, and will need the energy!
I hope you will find this article useful. Please don’t hesitate to comment with your top tips to stay healthy while travelling!
I hope you will find this article useful. Please don’t hesitate to comment with your top tips to stay healthy while travelling!
