What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory! 

Three Healthy Food Hacks!

How does one eat well on the road?

My diet has gone through an evolution since a cancer diagnosis and travel can wreak havoc with healthy intentions.  I don’t do fast food; I don’t eat processed food;  no whites (sugar, flour, pasta, rice); prefer organic; avoid dairy; avoid mass produced meats; lean towards vegetarian.

That means I usually look for salads, soups, and fish.  No quick dish of yogurt (dairy plus sugar = no thanks!)  No mystery meat burritos. No fluffy whipped drinks laced with sugar.

That being said, I’m not perfect and I don’t need to be. But I try to stay fairly close to a vegetable based, low glycemic diet.

Here are three quick travel hacks that I use to keep me on course:

Snacking

Fruit: The original fast food

Depending on the locale, I look for an organic market or farmer’s markets. Here in the States, I’m a fan of Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.  I usually pick up some organic fruit-apples are great-and keep it on hand, for snacks during the day and to assuage a sweet craving at night. Berries are great anti-cancer foods. Blueberries, raspberries and strawberries also make for a great breakfast.

 

Veggies and Hummus 

I love vegetables and even if they’re not organic, pre-sliced veggies are readily available.  Hummus comes in a variety of flavors and it stands up well on a warm day. It does need to be refrigerated, so I try to be sure I’m staying somewhere with a frig.  Ditto for a kitchen. Given my druthers, I’m happy to cook a few meals so I know where my food is coming from.

 

 

Green Tea

I travel with my own teabags. Organic + green = anticancer healthy. Green tea is really a remarkable food. It is full of anti-oxidants and high in EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate). I’ve recently switched my morning tea to a matcha latte (with almond milk and a bit of honey). It’s delicious, filling, and richer in EGCG than just tea. EGCG has been linked to a variety of health benefits including inhibiting angiogenesis (blood vessel formation to the cancer cell).  Tea times two for me!

 

Eating out: Not as hard as you think!

 

Think Thai

Thai food offers some great options ranging from fresh spring rolls to broth and coconut milk based soups. There are almost always vegetarian options available, and you can often opt for brown rice (rather than white).

 

 

Think Fish

I love fish! Fish tacos, grilled fish, sushi (yes sushi may have white rice–it’s more in the treat category or I go towards sashimi.) I steer clear of fried fish and look for something fresh.

 

 

 

Think Soup and Salad

Vegetarian–or nearly vegetarian–soup is not hard to find. And a green salad, preferably with a nutrient dense green like arugula is fairly common, particularly in the States.

 

 

Eating a healthy diet on the road may not be a slam dunk, but it’s not that difficult either. The more you know about your food and food sources, the easier it is to make smart choices. For more information on smart food choices, visit Anti-Cancer Club and subscribe to their weekly mailings. They offer one food, flavor or nutritional idea each week to help you craft your own anticancer diet.

Looking to learn more about healthy eating? Check out Rebecca Katz’s excellent on-line class and community.

 

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram  and at Anti-Cancer Club. Connect with me!  I may need a place or two to stay along the way!