How to Travel and Keep Healthy Choices

Connivance doesn’t mean you should have to skimp on quality. So why have we made airports so convenient that they’re stuffed with processed foods and chain coffee stalls serving stale or even moldy brews? Microwaving processed items changes their chemistry, and many airport options are little more than reheated, nutrient-poor products.

If you’re flying, the choices can be depressing: genetically modified fruit, sandwiches on bread made from enriched flour loaded with folic acid, niacin and other artificial additives to extend shelf life, and ultra-processed deli meats that masquerade as real food. Alcohol is everywhere — bars up and down the concourse tempting you while you wait to board. I’m not saying a drink is never enjoyable; I like a sip too. But for me the toxins and downsides often outweigh the fleeting pleasure, so I choose to drink rarely or not at all to keep feeling good and having a better time overall.

So what do you do? Well, following regulations we could take what we could in healthy snacks to make sure we are sustaining while we travel. Just make sure to follow regulations. You know me, I feel the more we make or own food and know how it's been cooked or created the easier it will be to make choices and become healthier.

I know that carrying extra luggage while traveling is a real pain, especially when you're navigating busy airports, long lines, and tight connections. From what I just went through—hopping through four different airports—I couldn’t find a single healthy option anywhere, which was frustrating and exhausting. At this point, pre-making and packing your own food seems like the only reliable option left to ensure you eat well on the road. Even items that seemed like they should be healthy were loaded with sugar and citric acid. Nearly every restaurant offered burgers, fried chicken, other fried foods, sugary drinks, or alcohol.

Buying plain water felt surprisingly difficult; many bottled waters are marketed as “smart” but seem chemically altered or come in questionable plastics that raise concerns. Sports drinks like Gatorade contain artificial dyes and electrolyte levels that can be problematic for some people’s kidneys and overall balance. I could go on, but the point is clear: most of what’s available is full of plastics, additives, and fake sugar — exactly the kind of everyday exposures that help disease take hold. So, when trying to make the right choice, sometimes simply not purchasing these products is the best option.


While I was traveling, I stayed with others, so plans for dinners and enjoying company were usually part of the routine. I focused on choosing what’s best for me instead of defaulting to fast food or greasy options. When ordering meat, asking for it to be cooked thoroughly—or requesting extra time if needed—helps ensure it’s done properly. Then, I always find a health market near where I’m staying, and when I shop there I plan easy snacks and light meals to balance out the eating out that inevitably happens. I read labels everywhere I went and asked questions about everything: how things are made, what ingredients are in the food, and any preparation details. Yes, it can be annoying, but until we all change how we cook and choose food, I keep asking. I’ve worked in several different types of restaurants and know how food is prepared, so when I’m unsure I don’t hesitate to ask.


In a perfect world our food would be full nutrient rich. We wouldn't be poisoned or lied to about how our food is grown
Or created. Fake eggs, fake meat, plastic fruit. Just to name a few. So make better choices, even when you travel. Your health depends on it. You depend on it.