The Paleo Diet is a way of life I’ve grown to be fascinated by that involves, “eating like a caveman.” So basically no processed foods-period. Being on the road a lot makes this way of life certainly more difficult. You have to be honest with yourself, you are NOT going to eat Paleo 100% of the time because your NOT going to be able to prepare your own foods. Don’t stress, you can still aim to be Paleo at least by 80%.
Don’t let your diet ruin your road trip! In the midst of planning my road trips, I plan out what foods to take with me. Packing your car and your bags with snacks and beverages will save you money in the long run! Use this opportunity to pack plenty of survival foods (fruit and granola bars, nuts, jerky, dried fruit, and more) and of course bottles of water. Having snacks with you will help you not indulge when you finally find civilization and stop for food. Bring cooler bags and ice packs, obviously! Pack your foods, snacks, and drinks properly and try to make sure there is a mini fridge at every hotel stop.
Take advantage of apps and websites such as Yelp and RoadTripper to find gluten free, vegetarian, and grass fed meat restaurants. This is also a fun way to figure out what kind of places are in the areas your traveling to. You can find some of the best restaurants by reading people’s reviews of them. You may even find hidden places you never thought existed! When dining out, you don’t always have to order JUST a salad. Check out their burgers, some may interest you and you can always ask for a bun less burger or have them wrap it in lettuce.
Taking a road trip does not mean you HAVE to have fast food. Make it a point to stop and eat, not eat while driving. You may be afraid of prices, but don’t let that scare you. Plan ahead of time or while your in the car to see what places may be up ahead. Many websites will show their pricing and help you find the perfect fit for you. Only stopping for fast food will actually be worse for both your health and your wallet. They give you smaller portion sizes if you only order off the dollar menu and therefore will make you crave and eat more. Also, its ALL processed food! So stop at a restaurant, order up a nice veggie burger (hold the bun), and a tall glass of water. Your body and your mind will thank you for it.
I didn’t know what Paleo was even. However, when I realized what it needed, my attitude to it changed dramatically. Although I’m not ready to jump in and become a complete vow Paleo Dieter (I had to give up my addiction to cheese, peanut butter, brownie, ice cream, and … candies), I feel like I want to myself Your body is more awake.
When sticking to a Paleo diet, it’s amazing how much better you really feel. I know before I started, I didn’t realize I felt that bad until I stuck to it and realized how much better I felt. It’s an amazing lifestyle choice!