Wednesday, May 20, 2015

How to Eat Healthy While on the Road/Touring in Florida


Traveling in Florida has its perks: beautiful weather, exciting cities, but, like on any road trip, your food choices can seriously affect your overall health.  Whether you’re picky or a ravenous eater, there are numerous healthy food options available all across Florida, and inside your vehicle.  Here, you will find different ways to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger by eating in and eating out while traveling and touring in Florida.

Eating In


When it comes to choosing healthy food options from local grocery stores, there are a couple tips that will maximize both your food supply and your wallet.

First, stock up on water.  It doesn't hurt to have too much water with you, especially in such a hot, humid state.  The most cost-effective method is to purchase water bottles in bulk from a warehouse store.  However, if you would rather be more environmentally conscious about your water consumption, carry a reusable bottle with you and fill it up whenever possible.  Due to this limited and unplanned system, it is important to bring some plastic water bottles or a water jug just in case.  Don’t forget to consistently and regularly drink your water.  This may lead to more pit stops along the way, but it will benefit you in the long run.  Generally, people who drink enough water during the day (the 8x8 rule of eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day is the most commonly accepted amount) tend to eat less since thirst is often mistaken for hunger.

For the times when you really are hungry, the second tip is to pack nutritional snacks.  This means avoiding foods that have little health value, like processed foods.  The most simple healthy snack foods are granola/energy bars.  These can be purchased in bulk (which saves on the price) and are a healthy alternative to overly salty snacks.  A more DIY snack option is homemade trail mix.  All of the mixings can be purchased at a local grocery store and, because you control what you put in it, there can be less salt which makes it much healthier.  Some possible ingredients include nuts, raisins, seeds, dark chocolate, and dried fruit.  You can also pack regular fruit, like bananas, that will keep during the trip.

Whole grain cereal cups are a good alternative to unhealthy, crunchy snack foods, like potato chips, according to cookinglight.com.  Vitamins are important day to day and while on the road.  When spending nights driving from town to town, vitamin B provides energy and decreases the need for coffee and energy drinks.  Not to mention, taking a general multivitamin will help to make up for any missed nutrients.  Drinking plenty of water and not skipping meals are both crucial to eating healthy on the road. 

If you would rather eat out from restaurants or other places instead of eating in from local grocery stores, there are still healthy options.  Choosing nutritional food items at fast food places is one way to eat out on the road.  Options like eggs and salads are healthier for you, and according to muscleandfitness.com, olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice are tasty alternatives to unhealthy salad dressings.  Eating in is cost effective and allows for more a more regular consumption of nutrients and healthy food throughout the day, but for the days when you feel like trying new places to eat, choosing healthy options is still possible when eating out.


Eating Out


Florida can be divided into three general regions: North, Central, and South.  Within each region, is a popular city, each home to a local restaurant full of healthy and tasty menu items.

In North Florida, Gainesville has many different restaurants all with different styles, but there is one that stands out among the rest: SweetBerries. A cost effective soup, salad, sandwich, and frozen custard shop, SweetBerries offers vegetarian options, like their tempeh sandwich.  I went to SweetBerries for lunch not too long ago and tasted their tempeh and frozen custard.  Not only were they both delicious, but also light, healthy, and easy on the wallet.  They are located at 505 NW 13th Street, and they have earned 4.5/5 stars on their Facebook page

Farther down in Central Florida is Tampa, home to multiple EVOS locations.  This animal friendly restaurant offers burgers, wraps, and vegan options.  EVOS is a supporter of Meatless Mondays, as shown on their Facebook page.  I tried EVOS’ signature “Airfries” when I ate there last, and I would highly recommend their “Airbaked” fries to anyone looking for a healthy alternative.

South Florida is home to Miami as well as a local restaurant called Plate. Located at 2105 Coral Way, Plate offers numerous “healthy & delicious alternative[s] to fast food”, according to their website plateinmiami.com.  Between the good prices and “wholesome and nutritious” food, this restaurant is a must visit for any health minded foodie.

Whether you choose to eat in from grocery stores or eat out at local restaurants while on the road, touring and traveling in Florida can still include healthy eating.

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