Travelling is fun and exciting, but it does involve some necessary planning and preparation. One of the most important aspects of any trip, for me at least, is the food. Being a chef, I like to try new things when I travel, especially if I have time to do some serious exploring. But at the same time, there’s nothing worse than worrying about what to eat or overspending on food while you’re travelling. Here are a few of my best tips to help you prepare for your next adventure.
Always bring more food than you think you need. Looking back at my own experience with travelling, I’ve found that there’s always been an extra night or two thrown into my itinerary because of delays or changes. The biggest problem during these instances is that you’re often stuck and don’t really have much control over what you eat. In fact, you might find yourself eating out a lot more often than you had originally planned or budgeted for after a few unexpected nights on the road. And for me at least, I would much rather spend my money on a nice meal at a restaurant, instead of pizza or vending machine snacks at the airport!
The best way to avoid this situation is by bringing more food than you think you’ll need. I like to bring a variety of snacks like granola or protein bars, fruit (when travelling domestically), nuts, and whenever feasible, I love to bring a few heat and serve meals or wraps with me for when I need a meal in a pinch or a snack to hold me over until my next meal.
Most people probably don’t do this but I highly recommend hitting the local grocery store when you first arrive at your destination. We all love to eat out travelling and while this may be an easy option, it can add up quickly and it can also be tricky if you have allergies or other dietary restrictions. If you’re a foodie like me, a trip to the grocery store in a new city or country can be a great way to learn about the local food culture and find new foods, but this is also a great way to stock up on a few items to make quick meals at your accommodations. Even if it’s just grabbing food for your breakfasts or some ingredients for packable handhelds like sandwiches or wraps, you’re going to pay less at the grocery store than at a restaurant in most tourist destinations. And let’s be honest, no one wants to be, or be with, the person who ruins the trip because they’re always starving!
Another great tip that seems obvious but is often overlooked is to bring a reusable water bottle with you when travelling. Whether you’re exploring a new city or visiting family, one of the most important things to do is bring your own water bottle; this is especially important when flying. You can usually refill your bottle in the airport, on the plane or at your accommodations. This will definitely save you money by not buying bottled water but it will keep you feeling good since you will be less likely to become dehydrated.
A little bit of planning when it comes to food for travel definitely goes a long way and can often make your trip even better when you don’t have to worry about what or when you’ll eat next!
