6 Tips for Sticking to Your Diet When You're On the Go

Following a diet plan can be difficult enough when you’re in your own home and preparing your own food. However, away from home, there are additional challenges to overcome if you want to continue eating healthy. So, whether you’re at work, traveling, or running errands, you’ll need to follow a few extra steps to stay on track.

Here’s a closer look at how to stick to your diet while on the go:

1. Plan Ahead

Wherever you’re headed, you’ll have better luck eating healthy with a little planning. For example, if you know you’ll be going out for a big dinner in the evening, you can keep your other meals light. You can also look at menus ahead of time and call the restaurant if you have special dietary requests. If you’ll be going into the office, it’s best to bring healthy food for work to help you avoid making unhealthy choices later.

2. Pack Your Own Healthy Snacks and Meals

Another great way to keep up with your diet is to make and pack healthy snacks ahead of time. That way, you can make smart eating decisions while on the go and be less likely to splurge on takeout food or vending machine snacks. Aim to always keep a nutritious snack bar in your purse or briefcase as a backup, and pack other healthy snacks for traveling, like fresh fruit and nuts. At work or on long car trips, bring a bag lunch to help you avoid fast food urges and stick to your diet program while away from home.

3. Choose Smart Restaurant Options

If you have a say in what restaurants you’ll be eating at, pick locations that you know will have healthy choices on the menu. Once you’re at a restaurant, opt for foods that fit in with your health plan. If you can’t find anything on the menu, don’t be afraid to speak up – the restaurant may be able to provide you with fresh vegetables or fruits instead.

You should also ask questions about how the food is prepared and if healthier customizations, such as grilling, baking, or steaming instead of a fried option, are possible. Additionally, it’s best to order sauces, dips, and dressings on the side for better portion control. Restaurants can’t always accommodate special requests, but it doesn’t hurt to ask politely for a substitution.

4. Avoid Hunger

When you’re really hungry, you’re more likely to eat larger quantities of food or make unhealthy choices. Therefore, it’s best to avoid these feelings by having smaller snacks and meals more frequently throughout the day. If you know you’re going out to eat later, eat a nutritious snack beforehand, so you’re not starving when you arrive and can make healthy ordering decisions.

5. Always Add Veggies

Vegetables are full of vitamins and healthy fiber, and they make excellent portable snacks. Pack veggies for work or while traveling or order them as a side dish at a restaurant. That way, you’ll fill up on the healthiest options while quelling hunger cravings.

6. Drink Lots of Water

Often, we mistake hunger for thirst and end up consuming extra calories when what our bodies really need is water. To avoid this, make sure you’re drinking enough water each day. Keep a water bottle at your desk at work, carry one with you while traveling, and bring one along on errands. When you arrive at restaurants, hotels, or airlines, request water to ensure you keep your hydration level up.

BONUS: Opt for Healthy and Convenient Snacks from Nutmeg State Nutrition

Whether you’re headed to the store or going on a road trip, Nutmeg State Nutrition makes it easy to stick to your diet plan. We offer a wide selection of diet foods that provide the nutrients you need while you’re on the go. Shop for your favorites today or contact us for more information!