Staying healthy on the road is easier than you may think!  We recently covered about 2000 miles in five days, and it required some planning when it came to feeding our family healthy food and staying active.  One of the great things about going new places can be in discovering new foods and activities, but it can also be a challenge.  With a little thought ahead of time, staying healthy can be convenient and fun.

Here are a few of the ways we try to keep on schedule and not succumb to all the fast food temptations:

Hydration: We have realized over time that hydration is vital to keeping our diets balanced.   Here in Northern Colorado we are extremely fortunate to have excellent tap water, and while I’m not one to usually buy much bottled water, we make it a priority on the road.  (Which also covers the safety issues that may arise with unpredictable winter weather.)  The more water we drink the less we are temped by soda and the better our bodies feel.

Grocery stores are a refuge: Once we started looking for local grocery stores off the highway rather than the usual fast food gig, we found they are usually pretty easy to find.  By stopping there, the chicks get food that is more nutritious, the choices are endless, and everybody gets out of the car!  The chicks can stretch their legs, and the restrooms are often cleaner than the fast food places.  As for shopping, we really focused on getting fruit, and things like yogurt, string cheese and wheat crackers.  All together, you get balanced and tasty grub that keeps the body on track.  We find that everyone maintains more energy and feels better.  Plus, you can still get some candy for your sweet-tooth and feel good eating it – at least it is still healthier than the fried foods you would likely get at a fast food joint.

Eat out and enjoy: On this last trip, we did eat dinner out every night.  But having focused our other meals on more healthy options allowed us to enjoy trying some new restaurants without the guilt.  And at dinner, we often asked for steamed veggies or salad instead of heavier side dishes.  We ended up enjoying some great places, and perhaps most importantly, the chicks are learning how they can make healthier choices while eating out.  Sometimes they even did it themselves.

In addition to the food choices, we also tried to stay active, which is hard when you are in a car 8-10 hours a day.  But here are few things we focused on:

Utilize those rest stops: For us, rest stops become a quick game of tag.  Ten minutes of running around is as necessary for the driver, the chicks, and now the toy poodle too.   We play tag and really run, and everyone has better spirits when we get back in the car!  Follow the leader is also a fun alternative and is still a great way to stretch.

Hotels with pools: Every kid clamors for pools at hotels, but we absolutely require it.  After a long car ride, it is so good for the chicks to swim, play hard and have fun.  We would get a swim in at night AND in the morning on this last trip, and it made all the difference in the world.  And perhaps in the car more than anywhere else, happy chicks = happy parents!

Fitness centers: Most hotels also have fitness centers, and for the Healthy Hen and her rooster, it is an opportunity to try out new equipment and make “road exercise” fun.  So pick something you haven’t used before, or mix up the routine a bit, and you may discover something new you can integrate into your routines at home, too!