Diet | Detective: Healthy Holiday Travel Stuff
By Charles Stuart Platkin
Here are a few things you might consider taking with you on your next trip. Whether you’re
traveling by plane, train, automobile or cruise ship, these innovative products could help
keep you on track.
Salad Dressing Packets
Why: You think you’re eating healthy by grabbing a salad on the road, and you might be right
– but, oh gosh, that dressing can be a real diet buster. Some dressings are more than 200
calories for just a couple of tablespoons (yes, even oil and vinegar). Often times you could
be stuck with no healthful dressing options, which is exactly why you should carry your own.
Just pack a few and put a few more in your pocketbook or briefcase and you’re all set.
Bonus: Even if you choose a healthful dressing, you tend to use a bit too much. These
packets are portion controlled, so it’s easier to stick to your “healthy eating” program.
Where to Buy: Many supermarkets now carry salad dressing packets. You can also go online and
purchase Walden Farms 1-ounce packets from Amazon.com. They have Honey Dijon, Creamy Bacon,
Ranch, Italian and Thousand Island. According to the company, they’re calorie-free,
fat-free, sugar-free, cholesterol-free and carbohydrate-free. Another source is www.Minimus.biz.
They have two prepackaged fat-free salad dressing kits with 13 different flavors.
Minimus.biz also has Newman's Own Light Italian Dressing, Kraft Lite and Ken’s Fat
Free Honey Dijon Dressing. Another possibility is to go to your local fast-food restaurant
and see if you can get an extra low-cal salad dressing packet, even if they may charge you.
Cost: Walden Farms: $4.39 for six 1-ounce packets. Packets on Minimus.biz start at about 19
cents apiece.
Prepackaged Snacks
Why: GoPicnic is an amazing company started by the same person who came up with the fabulous
snack packs available on United Airlines. You can purchase these snacks boxed and ready to
grab and go, and they’re reasonable in terms of calories. GoTrek includes five food items
for a total of 350 calories. They’re gluten-free, with 18 grams of protein, only 25
milligrams of cholesterol and 38 grams of carbs. Over all, the GoEnergy meal (available in
January) is the one that best fits Calorie Bargain criteria. It contains a small
(1.76-ounce) hummus from Wild Garden (delicious, by the way), edamame, cranberries (wish
they were unsweetened, but still only 45 calories), whole-grain crackers and an almond
candy. GoEnergy is 380 calories, less than 5mg of cholesterol, 23g of protein, 12g of
dietary fiber and 45g of carbs; it also fits with kosher, vegetarian and halal guidelines.
Bonus: Easy to grab, easy to keep track of calories and portions.
Where to Buy: Online at www.gopicnic.com
Cost: 3.99 per meal; two-meal minimum.
Exercise Bands and Tubing
Why: You can get a full-body workout with just a few elastic resistance bands. They work by
creating tension and stress on your muscles as you move. There are loads of exercises on
various Web sites including www.bodylastics.com, www.thera-bandacademy.com (free
registration required) and www.acefitness.org/getfit/RubrBndWkout.pdf.
Exercise bands and/or tubes are portable, easy to use anywhere, anytime, quiet, and, most
important, they work. Elastic resistance has been used by physical therapists for years. The
Bodylastic exercise tubes, made of high-quality clamp and surgical tubing, are the best I’ve
seen.
Bonus: Low cost, easy to use, very portable.
Where to Buy: www.bodylastics.com, www.power-systems.com, www.thera-band.com
Cost: Bodylastics training kit, $59.95: One band with secure handles starts at $6.25
(depending on strength, style and quality). You can also purchase a flat band for as little
as $3.25 per band.
Fit & Fresh Containers
Why: Great storage containers help keep your food fresh on the road. Fit & Fresh takes
innovative product design to an entirely new level with their line of on-the-go products. My
favorites are Lunch on the Go, which comes with a removable ice pack, several compartments
and a cover that can serve as a plate, and the Salad Shaker, which comes with a dressing
dispenser, utensil box (includes a knife and fork), ice pack and a salad bowl that holds up
to 4 cups.
Bonus: All Fit & Fresh products (except the ice packs) are easy to clean, and safe for the
freezer, microwave and top rack of the dishwasher.
Where to Buy: www.fit-fresh.com
Cost: Salad Shaker is $9.99; Lunch on the Go, $9.99.
George Foreman “The Champ” Grill
Why: This tiny George Foreman grill is not new, but it is still the best thing out there for
traveling. It’s compact, easy to use and fits into any luggage – even a carry-on. It has a
36-square-inch grilling surface, big enough to cook for two. In case you’re not familiar
with the George Foreman grill, it has a double nonstick coating, is durable and eliminates
the need for oil. It drains off the fat, heats up very quickly, is easy to clean, and even
comes with its own spatula. Simply locate a nearby supermarket, buy chicken or fish and
vegetables, plug it in and you’re all set. Also, it now comes in a variety of colors to
spice up your grilling experience.
Bonus: You save money and calories by cooking your own meals while you’re on the road.
Where to buy: Sears, Amazon, Target and other appliance stores.
Cost: Sears and Target sell it for $19.99.
_____________________________________
CHARLES STUART PLATKIN is a nutrition and public health advocate, founder of
DietDetective.com, and host of the new WE television series I Want To Save Your Life.
Copyright 2008-2009 by Charles Stuart Platkin. All rights reserved. Sign up for the free
Diet Detective newsletter and iTunes podcast at www.DietDetective.com
