When you set out on a road trip, the first thing that probably comes to mind is having fun, skipping the gym, and eating takeout all day. When you’re in the comfort of your home or city, staying fit, healthy and safe is so much easier.
However, on a road trip, it’s much more difficult. The trick is to make sure you’re prepared, and one of the best ways to do that is to use technology to your advantage. Below is some cool technology that can keep you safe and healthy on your next road trip.
1. Use FitMenCook to pack healthy snacks
To avoid eating only gas station snacks and fast food during your trip, you need to plan in advance what you will eat. Basically, your best bet is to use the FitMenCook mobile app to plan and pack a variety of healthy snacks.
In fact, the app features a specific section for healthy snacks and desserts with each recipe including various tags, such as quick and easy, low carb, meal prep, and low fat, to help you find specific snacks. To make your next visit to the grocery store easier, when you find snack recipes you like you can add the ingredients to the shopping list built into the FitMenCook app.
Download: FitMenCook for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
2. Pack a smart blender
It’s really not practical to lug all the clever kitchen gadgets you own with you on a trip, but hotel rooms don’t exactly have the means to cook and eat healthily. Xiaomi Smart Blender is a great portable device that you can use to prepare hot and cold healthy meals such as fruit smoothies and vegetable soups.
What makes the Xiaomi Smart Blender especially cool is that you can use the companion app, Mi Home, to control the blender remotely or find delicious recipes online.
3. Keep a smart water bottle nearby
Drinking plenty of water is essential, especially on a long journey. Keep a bottle of water handy so you remember to drink H20 instead of coffee or energy drinks. Lightweight, stylish, and self-cleaning, the LARQ water bottle can help you stay hydrated.
This smart water bottle uses what LARQ calls Nano Zero technology to filter your water and eliminate possible contaminants. Also, the filter system is essential if you drink tap water from hotel rooms or public places.
4. Take 7 minute breaks for exercises
Short exercise breaks not only keep you fit, but they can ease pain and make sure you don’t get cramps while riding. Now you can use the 7 Minute Workout app to do a quick workout session in minutes during your next stop.
There are several workout options on the app, including seven-minute leg and ab workouts and a relaxing seven-minute stretch. You only have to do each exercise for 30 seconds, but you can repeat the workout a few times if you have time to spare. Also, to shake things up a bit, you can tap the Random button to mix exercises.
Download: 7 Minute Workout for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
5. Find a local healthy grocery store
To stay healthy while traveling, it’s best to avoid fast food chains and head to a local grocery store instead. If you’re not sure where to go, simply use the Google Maps app to find your way around.
Type the name of the grocery store in the search bar or tap the grocery category to view a list of options on the list or on the map. Here you can view which shops are nearby and then choose one based on opening hours, ratings and available goods. You can also search reviews of each grocery store listing using keywords like “healthy” and “fresh food.”
Download: Google Maps for iOS | Android (Free)
6. Only check out healthy restaurants
Also, if you want to eat out, but want to steer clear of burgers and pizza, check out a healthy restaurant. With the HappyCow app, you can easily find healthy restaurants and restaurants with vegetarian and vegan options.
So what is the HappyCow app? HappyCow focuses on vegan options, but it’s also easy to find healthy vegetarian restaurants along with coffee shops, juice shops, markets and bakeries in the surrounding area.
Search the list of options, browse the map or use filters to find specific places based on hours of operation, type of diet, types of cuisine and more.
Download: HappyCow for iOS ($3.99) | Android (free in-app purchases available)
7. Prioritize sleep during layovers
When you go on a long journey, stopping and taking time to sleep and rest is essential. It’s tempting to try and drive all the way, but it’s definitely not safe. Try Sleepa if you struggle to fall asleep quickly or sleep in a different bed than yours. Sleepa boasts an impressive library of soothing sleep sounds, lullabies, ASMR, and much more.
Using the Sleepa app is simple: all you have to do is choose your favourites, customize volume levels and set a timer. Plus, if you don’t want to make your own, you can choose from a selection of ready-made sleep blends.
Download: Sleepa for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
When staying fit is your passion even while travelling, then why not try a local community exercise class? ClassPass is a great online platform that makes it easy to find gyms, day spas, and anything fitness-related based on where you are in the world.
You can filter your search by distance, reviews or the fitness activity you want to do, from yoga, barre and pilates to cycling, martial arts and boxing.
9. Keep your hands away from your smartphone
Part of a successful road trip is also ensuring your safety. And staying away from your smartphone while behind the wheel is one of the most important safety tips. When you can’t bear to put your phone down, an app like Forest sure comes in handy.
So when you want to spend a certain amount of time driving without distraction from your phone, just select a tree and plant it. The longer you can keep your hands off your phone, the more trees you can grow in your forest!
Download: Forest for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
10. Brush up on your driving knowledge beforehand
Planning healthy snacks and staying active are important, but driving to your destination safely should come first. Therefore, before you set out on your journey, we recommend that you use The Driving TV YouTube channel to brush up on your driving skills and knowledge.
Driving TV is the place to find essential driving tips, techniques and tricks, for new drivers and veteran drivers alike! The videos are short, sweet and to the point with video tutorials demonstrated in a real vehicle.
Make sure your next road trip is fun, safe and healthy
A road trip is the perfect excuse to spend time on the road, having fun with friends and family. However, often a road trip means some of your fitness and health habits go out the car window.
So whether you’re going on a long or short trip, consider using technology to plan ahead, stay safe, eat right, and keep fit.
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