When we’re on the road, we try really, really, really hard to eat real food and real meals. But, to be honest, it’s not always possible. Between food deserts on long drives and the occasional late-to-airport debacle that means we’re rushing for the plane, sometimes, a salad with a clean protein is hard to come by. And, to be honest, sometimes I am just in the mood for a pastry (and in airports, sometimes that’s the only reasonably priced option!). So, while normally, we’d carry things like hard-boiled eggs for protein and eat salad when possible, it just doesn’t always happen. With so much travel, I’ve started to fall in love with three different things that serve different nutritional purposes. I’m a huge fan of the bigger versions as well, but the fact that single-serve is available just makes for easy travel and zero chance of mess.
I’m all about eating whole, minimally processed foods most of the time. But when those options just aren’t available, it’s nice to have backup.
Amazing Grass Green Superfood Organic Powder with Wheat Grass and Greens
I have spent so many days in and out of airports where I realized, at the end of the day, that I a) hadn’t seen the sun, and b) hadn’t eaten a single vegetable. While this doesn’t help with the sunshine thing, it does help mitigate some of the lack-of-veggie issue. I have this in the fridge in a container as well, so when I’m home, I have it everyday first thing in the morning. I find it’s a great way to start the day on a healthy note, getting a dose of greens and antioxidants and vitamins A, C and K, plus two grams of fiber, which is way better than none. I need easy wins in the morning when it comes to setting the tone for a healthy day, to be honest, and this is a really good one. While traveling, it also forces me to chug a bottle of water with it, so I’m also getting hydrated at the same time—which, to be honest, is probably a big part of what makes it a win for me!
Check it out:
Vital Proteins Pasture-Raised, Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides
I’ve written about collagen as sort of a fake ‘superfood’ but absolutely a great nutritional powerhouse and super sneaky way of adding protein to any meal. I love it because to me, mixing whey protein in with water isn’t the tastiest, and the point here is that I don’t have time to blend up a smoothie. So a flavorless powder that dissolves in coffee (or can go in a smoothie if you have one!) that still provides a full 20 grams of pure protein, plus is a SINGLE ingredient and doesn’t have any artificial sweeteners or crap? Heck yeah. This is the packet I go for when—to be honest—I’m about to have a croissant or something for breakfast at the airport. I know if I just have that, I’ll be starving in an hour, but if I add the collagen to my coffee, the protein keeps me fuller a lot longer. And I swear, you won’t even notice. Peter tried to notice and had to admit that he couldn’t. (And yes—I also have the tub of this at home for days when I know I’m low on protein and need a little extra, or we’re rushing in the morning and I don’t have time to make eggs.)
Stoked Stix Instant Coffee
When we had Jax Mariash, ultra-runner and coffee roaster, on the Consummate Athlete Podcast, she mentioned that she figured out a way to make instant coffee that didn’t suck, because she needed it for one of her ultra-run competitions. It was popular enough that she ended up making Stoked Stix, and they are awesome. I’m not a coffee snob, but it is a huge screw when you a) use up all your crappy hotel room coffee, b) you’re at a house with no coffee or c) you really just want some non-garbage gas station coffee while driving across the country. Happens to the best of us. Enter Stoked Stix. Great package, easy storage, and solid taste. (Oh—bonus for you guys: Stoked gave us a discount for 25% by using the code code “Consummate17” when you order. And definitely try the espresso beans as well—we love them!)
Listen to the episode: Desert Running & Coffee Roasting – JAX MARIASH
So that wraps up what I bring on every trip. Again, it’s not a solution for every day by any means—but if you know you have some crazy days coming up, I do find having this stuff on hand makes it a little easier to be healthy, and make healthier choices on top of those things! Not a fan of powdered foods? I’ve also written tons about eating healthy (with real food!) on the road
