Paleo for when you're on-the-go

We are always on the move - metro, car, bike - and for some folks that includes having to fly somewhere for work or dine out with clients. It is possible to stay on track when you get out of your routine and have to go to new places were your usual foods might not be readily available.

Here are some basic tips to help you out.

1. Pack your own food
- Jerky
- Almonds, macadamia nuts, pecans, etc
- Fruit - fresh, dried
- Veggies
- Hard boiled eggs
- Sweet potato cubes.
- Tuna fish packets (read the list of ingredients)
- Avocados (slice it pre-flight. Good luck getting a knife through security)
- WATER

This should help you avoid mindless snacking. Do your best to stay in a routine of eating at times when you normally eat.


So what about actual meals? Eating at an airport? Dinner with clients? All day conferences?

The same rules apply - plan ahead and pack ahead.

2. Airport
- See above
- Do research before you fly and see what the eating options are at the airport and in your terminal.
- If you need to buy from a magazine/snack kiosk, look for raw almonds
- It will most likely be fast food places, but you can make a burger paleo (mostly) by ordering it without the bun and nixing the condiments. Go for a side of veggies (no fries) or a side salad topped with oil and vinegar for dressing.


3. Dining out/fast food
- Don't be afraid to use the excuse that you have an allergy to something (wheat) when told 'Help yourself to the bottomless bucket of breadsticks'. It's more sympathetic than saying that you're on a diet since people know that diets don't last.
***This is not a diet!***
- As mentioned above, you can make a burger paleo by ordering it sans bun.
- Chipotle and Baja Fresh have the bowl options. Skip the rice and beans and go for meat (double), extra veggies (peppers and onions), and top it with guacamole. It's delicious and filling.
- Start with a salad or broth based soup (might be tough). Keep the meal simple and remember the motto of the challenge - meat and veggies and healthy fats. Look for steaks with a dry rub (no Jack Daniel's sauce), baked/grilled chicken (not Parmesan), and a side of veggies. Double it! Sneak some almonds into the restaurant and snack on those, too.


You can get away with snacks at conferences where they usually have trays of cookies and other processed carbs. Keep a water bottle with you, but most places will have bottled water. If sandwiches are served for lunch, remove the bread and eat the meat/veggies inside. Don't dwell on how hungry you might be - you are a healthy individual and will make it to your next meal!