There are two core strategies I use for healthy hotel eating so you can eat in your cozy room instead of trekking out starving on the hunt for food and coffee:
- Bring stuff from home
- Locate a grocery store the night before (or buy snacks before you leave the airport)
Here’s everything we brought from home, minus the fresh fruit and extra bars we ate for breakfast!
I woke up at 6AM here – just less than 8 hours of sleep – but I was wide awake!
I started the day with some hotel coffee. I’m finding that hotel coffees aren’t all that bad, and it’s certainly easier and MUCH cheaper than going out to find a Starbucks. Really appreciate it when they have half and half over powdered creamers, but I’ll drink it black if I have to.
Karen gave me some Decaf Vias that are perfect for mixing in to make the coffee stronger. I think some of the cheaper brands of coffee are also now making instant to-go packets, and from what I’ve tasted they’re not all that bad. Save your local coffee shop hunt for once you’re awake and have a second cup then 
Breakfast for two included a piecemeal of the two fruits we had left from our travels yesterday and our packed foods:
We shared an orange, a banana, plus had some Quaker Oatmeal squares and one of my Baked Oatmeal Snack Bars each. I would have killed for a tsp of PB on my banana, but we didn’t pack any to-go packets because we’re going to buy a full sized jar for the trip today!
Other strategies for travel breakfasts and snacks for hotel rooms:
- Buy fruit or real food bars at the airport before you head out. Every airport I’ve been in has bananas and apples – you just have to remember to buy one before you go to luggage claim!
- Visit the grocery store for staples. Lots of hotels now have mini fridges where you can put milk and yogurts. This is our plan for the rest of the week! Again, the late arrival threw us off today. Whole fruit is easy to buy and you can usually find packets of spoons and napkins in the salad bar area too. Speaking of salad bars, they often have cut up fruit and yogurt too.
- There are lots of shelf stable single serve milks too these days that would work if you don’t have a fridge. Stick them in the ice bucket to chill.
- Find a Great Harvest and get a loaf of bread. (Okay, okay, any bakery or grocery store bread would work). This was our original idea, but we got in too late last night and today the GH is closed!
Of course going out to breakfast at Starbucks, a smoothie place or a greasy spoon for a stack of waffles is fun too – but only if you have time and more money!
***
Our only plan for the day is the 2.5 hour drive to Dillon after picking up our rental car. Plus a grocery store trip!
In the meantime, I’m hoping to do some yoga!
Every post this week should end with: see ya when I see ya!
Juliet says
Land O’Lakes makes Mini Moos which are real dairy milk that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. They are so much better for coffee than the powdered stuff.
I love finding a grocery store locally too. It can be fun also to soak up local color. We usually try to look for a food co-op or health food store which can be really interesting depending on where you are.
Evan Thomas says
Hitting up the grocery store is my best tip, too. I try to grab as many fruits and vegetables like bananas as I can keep on hand.
Natalia - a side of simple says
I was hoping you would start something along the lines of travel tips, especially since you are such an organized person and traveling can be SO stressful! I think “food” is a great thing to focus on for organizing when traveling. I have to do it constantly because I’m gluten-free so I constantly have to be aware. Thanks for your times and happy adventures, Kath!
Natalia - a side of simple says
*tips, not times…
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
That is great advice, to find a local grocery store. I’ll need to do this on my next trip!
Glad you finally arrived!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
Great tips! I love tackling the hotel coffee machine and seeing what taste I get whenever I stay somewhere.
jen @ taste life says
I love staying at a hotel with a fridge – it makes eating healthy on the road so much easier! Even better, when we go on vaca we usually try to rent a condo or something where we have a full kitchen. Healthier and cheaper!
Tina says
We always do the same when we bring our kids-pack snacks from home then hit up the store. The mini fridges are fantastic & I love that they have them almost everywhere now.
I was just wondering, you said the local GH is closed today, Sunday. Do you know if you’ll be open on weekends also? I’m just curious, it seems odd to me that a retail store would be closed on a weekend day.
Kath says
Most GH’s are closed on Sundays and we will be too. We’ve got to have one day off a week, and it makes more sense than any other
kelly says
Great ideas! What a amazing adventure!
Emily says
Kath! Thanks for the suggestions- can’t wait to see how your trip plays out. Stay warm!
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
Good tips. I already do most of the items you mentioned but I bring the fruits from home when I can, instead of buying at the airport. It’s so pricey at times, but once for convenience, I bought a 1 whole banana for $1.50 at Starbucks before and I thought, I can buy 8-10 bananas for less at Costco.
Have a safe trip.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Great tips Kath! I love traveling with homemade bars and pre-mixed oatmeal. I’m a fruit and veg-a-holic so I always try to bring as much of that as I can too. Have fun at yoga! 🙂
Namaste Gurl says
Happy travels and hope you find everything you need :)!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
how random – i was doing a search yesterday on google for recipes for dried fruit + oatmeal and your bars came up. and here they are on your blog today!!!
[email protected] says
I always pack stuff, but I love the grocery store idea. I’ll definitely utilize that the next time I’m traveling!
[email protected] says
Excellent tips! Hope you guys enjoy your stay up there!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
I am always so much happier when I have snacks with me. The best things I like to bring are oatmeal packets- you can almost always get a free cup of hot water!
Julie (Food & Other Things) says
These are really great tips…I always forget to utilize the mini fridge in hotels!
Tina @ Healthy Made Easy says
Great tips! It’s always good to be prepared!
Camille says
You brought along some great stuff! I always pack snacks for trips… such a money saver!
Simply Life says
Great tips! Exploring grocery stores in new places is one of my favorite things to do!
Jenna @ Eating Green, Staying Lean says
Those oatmeal granola bars look awesome, I’ll have to check out the recipe. And what a great idea for a post…it’s so easy to eat unhealthy foods while traveling, good tips!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I take oatmeal too and brew water and let it steep. Although that really only works with quick oats, it is a good travel eat in the morning. Great idea on the Via to make things stronger. I will have to do that next time. Have fun today!
faith @ gracefulfitness says
Glad you arrived safe and got some sleep. Have a great week!
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
I always bring tons of bars from home too. I often scope out the closest SBUX and grocery stores to the hotel I’ll be staying in.
Katie says
Love the tips!
I ALWAYS bring snacks from home when I travel, it is a MUST!
I love bringing snack bars like Kind and Lunas, Dried fruit Snacks, Trail Mix, Almond Butter Squeeze packs, Protein Powder in a ziploc bag, and lots more!
Have a safe rest of the trip!!!!! Im sure your excited to get there!
Maggie says
Great post! I love those Quaker Oatmeal Squares!
Lisa @ Early Morning Run says
Great tips! I always take a bag of food with us when we travel. I don’t trust what we’ll find at the airports and usually we take early morning flights and the restaurants (even coffee shop) aren’t even open in time for us to get anything. I have recently started baking a sweet potato the night before and putting in the fridge overnight then eating it at the airport or on the plane for breakfast. They’re actually really good cold and they have lots of vitamins and minerals. Plus they don’t smell up the plane!
Have a great day!
Karen says
Great idea, Lisa…there’s never a wrong time of day to eat a sweet potato! Love ’em!
Amy at TheSceneFromMe says
Have a safe trip to Dillion and fun at the grocery store. I love shopping in them, and it should be especially fun since it will be a new one to peruse!
I always take a cranberry and almond mixture when traveling and individual packs of oatmeal
🙂
Stacey - The Habit of Healthy says
You are amazingly well organised and these are fab tips. I suppose if I were travelling for business or something then I would probably do something similar but if it’s a vacation then it’s just too tempting to go out and find some fun breakfast options.
carlee says
I’ve been wanting to travel ever since I got “healthy!” lol
Does your husband eat the same portions as you?
I thought he would eat more or something since he is a man…
Kath says
Sometimes he does, sometimes he eats more – like lunch + dinner + snacks
Kath says
OH, and beer!
[email protected] says
I always bring olive oil ( I like to mix it with V8 – weird I know) and Frank’s hot sauce. Hey I’m from B-lo!
Kris says
I think the Starbucks Vias are really expensive per cup. I just measure out teaspoons of a good instant, place in a ziploc, and then eyeball it for each cup. Saves a ton over Via.
Tine says
Those instant oatmeal portions are such a great idea!
You can’t find those here in Belgium. Oatmeal isn’t that ‘hip’ here…
Sad sad…
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Great tips! I’m going to Vegas next weekend and these are good ideas to avoid the buffets. Okay, maybe just one buffet 🙂
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Great breakfast tips! I looove quaker oatmeal squares but I haven’t had them in forever.
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
Good tip about buying fruit IN the airport before you get to baggage claim. It’s way more expensive to buy at the airport than at a groc store but if groc stores are closed, it’s late, etc. then just having that banana or apple the next morning from the airport is worth its weight in gold…great tip, Kath!
And about the Via’s, too. Noted! 🙂
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Bringing the VIA is a brilliant idea! I can never get my coffee strong enough.
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
What program do you use to ‘write’ on your photos? 🙂
Kath says
Photoshop Elements
Heather says
Great tips – I also request a fridge from the hotel if the rooms don’t already have them. This way you are guaranteed to be able to keep yogurt, fruit, etc.
Also, if traveling by car, I bring my hot water heater – I bought it for approximately $20 and use it whenever I travel. I just bring a bowl and my travel mug and then can make oatmeal and hot tea.
This way I don’t even have to fuss with the coffee maker in the hotel room.
Katherine: Unemployed says
you make it look so easy! I am a mess when I travel
Ashley P. @ The Vegetable Life says
Thanks for the tips of traveling and eating healthy. I travel for work a good amount and even though my company pays for all of my food, I am always faced with unhealthy and unsatisfying choices. I never really thought about bring so much myself… next time I am going to have to give it a try! I always prefer my own food over someone elses! Hope the Montata weather is not too cold for you and Matt!
Meaghan @ OhReillyWrites says
Wonderful tips — I really start need to packing food staples on some of my trips so we don’t waste so much money eating out!
Lauren says
Great tips. I always pack breakfast items because I never trust the hotel to have what I need. I’ve learned the hard way too often.
Melissa A. says
Wouldn’t buying food at the airport be expensive? Not to mention that many hotels include free continental breakfast where you can get fruit, yogurt, etc.
Yazmin says
Great tips, Kath. I’ll be sure to use them next time I travel.
Charles McCool says
Excellent healthy eating tips. It is nice to buy local fruit and goodies when traveling to exotic locations but it is a great idea to supplement with staples from home. Saves money and time, too.
Lauren says
Hi! I’ve been reading your blog off and on, as I’m a grad student in Cville and love to read about other people who love it, too! I’ve even seen you at Whole Foods and walking in my neighbhorhood!
Kath says
Hey Lauren! Why aren’t we friends yet!? How funny that you’ve spotted me around – hope I wasn’t doing something embarrassing!
Lauren says
Haha, you weren’t! I’ve been thinking of starting my own healthy living blog and yours is so inspiring–and it doesn’t hurt you live in Cville, too! When I saw you it was kind of weird for me because I knew I recognized you and couldn’t place it at first!!
Kath says
Let’s have lunch 🙂
Elizabeth @ The Sweet Life says
Great tips, as always! We never check bags, since air travel is now so unpredictable and oftentimes unpleasant, so I’m not sure we can pack as much as you do but we definitely can bring some healthy things on the road!
Nicole, RD says
I love Larabars. Traveling or not, I always have one with me 🙂 But especially when traveling 🙂
Andy says
Great travel ideas! My niece and I are going on a long trip together in May and we’ll definitely incorporate some of your suggestions – thanks!
Lisa (bakebikeblog) says
I love these tips!! And I even picked up on some new ones for the next time I travel – thanks!
Alaina says
Thanks for the great food tips! I always feel like I spend an unnecessary amount of money on take out food. My husband and I are hopefully going to Vegas in a few weeks so I’ll have to keep your tips in mind! 🙂
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Those are awesome tips for traveling! I also like to bring along my own snacks – usually granola bars, whole fruit, and dried fruit.
Katelyn says
Thank you for this! I’m going to be traveling frequently to do college visits, and this was helpful:)
Jess @ atasteofconfidence says
Good tips:) safe travels!
Kori says
Great tips! My sis and I always travel with our own food to save time, money, and most importantly maintain our health. Our family and friends have given us a hard time about it in the past because the majority of people don’t think or care to bring food, but they’ve since come to understand it. I really enjoy not having to stand in the lines for mediocre, high-priced junk at the airport or other places. When I’m hungry, I can just find a nice place to sit and eat without any hassle. =) Hope you’re having a fantastic afternoon, Kath!!
Pat Kilmain says
We’re leaving tonight for Hawaii. Anchorage to Seattle, then 3 hours there and on to Kona. I’m packing hard-boiled eggs, bagels and cheese to eat in Seattle. We’ll get coffee there. We’ll hit the grocery store as the first stop after the rental car in Kona! Sorry to talk about traveling to a warm place when you’re in a cold one, but think of it as part of your new job! 🙂 Hope you learn lots, and enjoy Montana too – it’s beautiful.
Wendy says
Kath,
Thanks for your beautiful blog. I’m getting ready to launch my own focused on healthy business travel. I, too, bring food, lots of it. And I’ve figured out where to get the right kind of gel packs so that I can bring fresh food through the security line at the airports. I also hit the grocery stores when I get to my destination so that I can stay in my cozy hotel. And I’ve found the places with complete kitchens stocked with the right cooking equipment so that I can prepare my own meals when I get in from a long day of work. I’m glad I found your blog today. Will keep in touch. Your blog is beautifully done.
Jamie @ Food in Real Life says
Good tips, and I definitely used them on my past trip. Grocery stores are the best though, because honestly I just can’t handle eating too many bars or crackers or snack foods. The thing I miss most when traveling is vegetables though. Oh and hotel coffee makers just gross me out, so I always end up paying too much for coffee when traveling.
MLeslie says
My husband is addicted to Wolfgang Puck coffee. He first had it at The Doubletree Hotel (looks like that might be where you are staying) and had it ordered online immediately when we returned home!
Anna @ ciaotochow says
Thanks so much for the tips — I’m already planning the snacks I’m going to bring on the snack for my 8-hour flight to Rome on Tuesday. I know from previous flight experience never to rely on airplane food. Haha!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Great tips! I always travel with hoards of food too. Growing up with a peanut allergy has taught me to bring my own food everywhere!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I always bring snacks from home for traveling and the grocery store is a really great idea. We do the same when having the opportunity to do so.
Emily says
Great post! I love the matching breakfasts too, adorable.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
You sure did make do with what you had! Still looks like a great breakfast!
Paige @Running Around Normal says
Great tips!! I hate that powdered creamer too. Blech!
fairfaxmamma says
Fabulous tips, Kath!
Hannah says
Of all these tips, the one that blew my mind is added decaf instant coffee to up the coffee flavour but not the caffeine. BRILLIANT.
Theresa says
I have had a twitter account forever but I just downloaded the app on my phone. I would like to follow you…what is your “name” to search on Twitter? Thanks!
Kath says
@katheats !
Charise says
I like to pack healthy food for traveling too. I bring car snacks, hotel breakfasts if I know the hotel isn’t going to have good options, and fruit, nuts, and sometimes jerky to snack on throughout the day between not-so-healthy meals out, especially if we’ll be out and about as I’m hypogylcemic and when I need to eat, I NEED to EAT.
A good tip if you don’t have access to the microwave is to use the coffee pot to heat up water for oatmeal.