Macros On The Road

If you expected a guide to how to find the best restaurants in town, you've come to the wrong place. Instead I'm going to talk about how to not get your protein powder confiscated by airport security (the key is to smile innocently and make a joke about gainz and getting swole).

One of my friends loves to say "Summer bodies are made in the winter". I agree, but I would also add "Summer bodies are destroyed on vacations"

Fitness is a big part of my life, but so is travel. However, moderating food intake is not something me nor my cats are particularly good at. I don't know who learned from whom, but it's the blind leading the blind.

Whenever I travel, I bring certain items with me and have a set of "rules" I will follow, so that once I come back I'm (less) of a sack of potatoes struggling over the pull-up bar. 

This idea and this list is adapted from this post by my friends at Maui Athletics, who are a wonderful source of non-bro, science and reality based fitness wisdom. 

What food should I bring with me? 

Here's my list: 

• Protein powder. Carbs are cheap, protein is expensive. Especially in a jungle or a tundra, where if you don't hunt, you don't eat. I bring ample protein in a baggie (clearly labeled to avoid overzealous border security) and readily mix it with what's available. Water, coffee, and oatmeal are my go-to 
• Protein bars. I like the cliff mini-builder bars - they are a nice treat, moderate in portion control, and satiating. I rarely find decent protein bars abroad, so better not risk it
• Unsalted Peanuts. It's boring enough that I won't overeat them, and filling enough to get me through a pinch during the flights   
• Instant coffee. Some of the places I've been have not been reliable in their supply of coffee when I need it. And believe me, nobody wants to see me turn into a caffeine monster. Mixing instant coffee with your protein shake adds a bit of a mocha flavor, and makes the instant coffee taste less...instant
• Instant oatmeal. Another way to make your protein powder more satiating is to mix it with instant oatmeal. I bring mine in... you guessed it, a zip lock bag. Hot water is pretty easy to source. Add your oatmeal to your mini blender bottle, cover and let sit. In 1-2 minutes, uncover and stir in the protein powder. It'll kind of taste like an oatmeal cookie. It's important to not add the protein directly to hot water because it will curdle, the result being edible but not altogether pleasant

What about real meals?