This is a guest post I wrote for the One of a Kind Apartments blog.

When travelling we tend to let loose a bit, with the attitude that eating and drinking anything and everything is fine because ‘we’re on holidays’. While giving our body and mind a break from our busy day-to-day lives is very important and healthy, it is also important for both our physical and mental health to not overdo it too much, with an ‘anything goes’ sort of attitude. Below I have put together 6 tips on how to stay healthy while travelling. These tips will help you feel great during your next holiday, and will have you coming back from it full of energy, not feeling like you need a detox.

1- BYO lunch. When heading out for a drive longer than an hour or two, pack your own lunch (or breakfast or dinner). This will ensure you are in control or what you’re eating, and will mean you can avoid the highway maccas stops. Good lunch ideas could be a sandwich, a toasted sandwich eaten cold, a salad with a tin of tuna, vegetables with hummus, or leftover roast vegetables and meat. Just be sure to keep any items that should be refrigerated in an esky, or next to an ice brick, and consume within 4 hours of being out of the fridge.

2- Drink up! Water that is. When we’re out of our routine, we often forget to drink enough water, and end up reaching for that second cup of coffee or glass of wine. It’s great to enjoy coffee and wine while you’re on holidays, if that’s your thing, but also remember to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. This will be easier if you remember to bring a drink bottle with you when you’re out and about.

3- Bring snacks with you. I’m talking nuts, fruit, cut up veggies. If you’re heading out for a day of exploration chances are you’re going to get hungry, and not just at meal times. Having healthy snacks between your meals is a good way to steer clear from the inevitable hot chips and ice creams that are bought when your blood sugars are low and you can’t think straight. Be prepared and avoid poor food choices.

4- Get to a farmer’s market. Not only are farmer’s markets a fun activity, but they also allow you to sample and stock up on good quality and delicious local produce. This is great if you want to make a healthy and tasty antipasto platter, and is a fun way to get good quality ingredients to make a home cooked meal. In Canberra we have the Capital Region Farmer's Market.

5- Try and cook a couple of meals yourself, if your accommodation facilitates this. Home cooked meals are generally healthier than meals out, usually containing more vegetables and lean protein, and less sugar and salt. Give your body a bit of extra nourishment, and cook a tasty meal packed full of veggies. In Canberra, One of a Kind Apartments provides a fully equipped kitchen, and a greenhouse full of herbs and veggies for guests to help themselves.

6- Walk or ride. Generally on holidays timing isn’t really an issue. Our schedules are free, which allows us to take time, and not rush from activity to activity. So why not take the time and enjoy the journey of getting to the museum, cafe, gallery that you are going to. The journey can often be the best part, and going on foot or by bicycle allows you to see things you would miss in a car, and explore different areas that you wouldn’t otherwise get to.

How to stay healthy while travelling