This article provided by Cross Country Nurses
Healthy food choices are a breeze when you plan ahead!
Healthy Eating Really is Possible for Travel Nurses with a Plan!
Probably the most important part of a healthy eating plan is consistency, and for travel nurses who are always on the go, this can prove a difficult goal to achieve. Your routine is disrupted and rearranged every few months, which can make it easy to fall into the trap of eating whatever’s most convenient. If you’re wondering how to stay on track when you move from assignment to assignment, here are some tips you may want to try.
Create a Routine and Stick to it!
Before you start your next travel assignment, do some thoughtful research. Map out grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and restaurants that offer the kinds of choices that work best for your unique dietary concerns. Decide what days you are going to shop when you are going to cook and then stick to that plan! You may want to consider purchasing an air fryer or crockpot to help you cook things more conveniently. Make sure you bring some to-go containers to bring your meals to work so you aren’t tempted to eat something bad for you.
Meal Prepping
Nobody likes to eat super healthy all the time, but you probably know what foods will keep you looking and feeling good that you can tolerate on a regular basis without getting bored. A common combo is some kind of protein and veggie combination, like grilled chicken and salad or a turkey burger patty with steamed veggies. These items are easy to cook, and you can change up the taste by using a variety of herb and spice combinations to keep your taste buds tantalized. Spend a day cooking and then divide the portions into individual containers to grab and go for each day of your workweek. Meal prepping is a great way to save time, money and calories that you could otherwise spend going out to a restaurant or eating in the cafeteria.
Healthy Snack Are a Must
Travel nurses know better than most that a regular lunch schedule isn’t always possible, so it’s important to identify your favorite healthy snacks and keep some on you at all times. Whole fruits and sliced veggies are full of necessary vitamins and minerals and are easy to eat while you’re multitasking. There are also numerous options for boxed or canned snacks on the go but be careful of the hidden fat and calories many of them contain. Typical culprits include granola or protein bars, energy drinks or fruit juices and snack dips. Always make sure to check the label for ingredients that might surprise you.
Download a Calorie Counting App
When you’re trying to create and maintain a healthy eating routine, one thing is certain: math never lies. Download any of numerous available fitness apps currently on the market and you will know exactly how many calories you are consuming on any given day or during a single meal. Many of these apps, like MyFitnessPal, will alert you when something is too high in one of the three macronutrients of carbs, fat, and protein or when a meal is just generally high in calories. This is a great way to examine what you actually eat and ways you can reduce the overall calorie count that you may not have considered otherwise. Plus, many of these apps will let you connect with friends and encourage each other on your healthy eating journey.
Ready to devour your next travel adventure? Choose from one of these delicious new opportunities on the menu.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
