Traveling can sometimes be a perilous journey for the health conscious consumer.  In the Western world, where fast food lurks around every corner, the temptations abound.  For those traveling out of the country, access to your favorite designer health foods may be tough.  However, with a little pre-planning and savvy shopping, healthy snacking can be found right in your briefcase.

The first step in your traveling food journey is to review your itinerary.  How long will you be gone and will you have access to the foods you commonly find helpful in your diet? If you are not in control of your own schedule and there is a lot of unpredictability, then you may want to pack a little extra protein to help stretch whatever meals are provided for the day.  The last thing you want is to be caught in a moment where you can't perform at your best because you're hungry, tired and cranky. Taking "healthy" comfort food with you can provide the boost you need to get through a long day.

While dividing your own homemade foods into small Ziploc snack bags will save you money, considering purchasing pre-packed food when going through customs.  This will alleviate any questions that the food contained in your briefcase or suitcase is exactly how it is labeled.

A few transportable winners I've tested are:

• Emerald Natural Walnuts & Almonds 100 Calorie Pack - Small, light and good for you.
• Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal packets - Fiber and protein that can be made with your hotel room coffee pot.
• Odwalla Super Protein and Cliff Bars - I pack at least one for each day I will be gone and you can avoid the challenges of melting chocolate and icing found in other brands. Also light enough when traveling on two wheels.
• Peaceful Planet, The Supreme Meal (1.2 oz) - Contains quinoa, millet amaranth and 17 grams of protein.
• Dr. McDougall's soups - Each one comes in its own cup.  Add hot water and enjoy.  Bulky but worth it.
• Justin's Organic Honey Peanut Butter Squeeze Pack (1.15oz) - These small packets have passed through an airport security scan more than once.  Enjoy them with any healthy brand of mini packaged crackers. I suggest putting the peanut butter packets in your liquids bag to facilitate security clearance.  Don't leave them floating around your briefcase.
• Starbucks Via Ready Brew - Nirvana in the desert.

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Copyright Cheryl Hughey 2009