Danielle Copperman: How to Eat Well on the Road

Danielle Copperman: How to Eat Well on the Road

Model, chef, food stylist and editor Danielle Copperman has just brought out her first book, Well Being. An advocate of healthy living, here she shares her foodie travel tips.



Travelling
can take its toll on all aspects of our lives,
particularly wellbeing. So often a new place can upset your inner
balance, and diet is integral to maintaining this equilibrium.
Having spent a lot of time on the road for work, I’ve developed a
sort of “survival kit” to keep me on the top of my game while I’m
away, whether for work or play.


Common side effects of travelling

Dry/oily skin and breakouts, low energy, fatigue, low immunity,
dehydration, insomnia, mood swings.

Combat them by filling your carry-on suitcase with…

Water goes without saying; drink regularly and
infuse with citrus or herbs to liven it up

Melatonin; a tincture aids sleep on the plane
without leaving you feeling groggy when you wake up

Snacks; avoid processed plane food that will
dehydrate you in favour of natural products such as:

– fresh fruit and vegetables for essential vitamins and minerals
and a natural sugar boost while aiding digestion; bananas are
particularly good thanks to high levels of potassium and
magnesium

– raw nuts and seeds are high in protein, keeping you fuller for
longer and helping your body to repair after a long flight; coconut
chips are always a winner too

– sugar-free/vegan chocolate

– natural smoothies



Pack your holdall with…

Taking ambient produce abroad will ensure you’re not caught
without your usual nourishment, helping to avoid a mid-trip
wipeout. Of course, half the fun of travelling is kissing goodbye
to your usual routine and getting stuck in to the local cuisine,
but a few well-chosen items will ensure you’re able to keep
enjoying yourself throughout.

Herbal tea bags / matcha sachets – these have a
variety of benefits including balancing mood, increasing energy
levels, aid sleep, encourage relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety,
aid digestion and support the immune system – I like maca,
spirulina and cacao

All-natural snack bars – look for those
containing the fewest ingredients, ideally with no sugar; they’re a
great snack for long journeys

Activated charcoal powder – add to water and
drink in the morning or evening to aid digestion, reduce toxins and
generally cleanse your system

Rice cakes or natural vegetable
crackers
are also a good snack; pack nut butter as an
accompaniment (it’s handily available in sachets)

Qnola or gluten-free
granola
is an excellent back-up for a quick breakfast if
you’ve got an early start


And look out for these ingredients when you arrive…

This one’s pretty self-explanatory – it goes without saying that
you’ll find the best bits in local markets and family owned stores
away from the tourist-trodden path.

Fresh fruit and vegetables – one of the most
exciting things about being in a new place is the array of exotic
fruit and veg on offer, all of which seems to be bigger, juicier
and more colourful than what’s imported back home. Take advantage
of your temporary Garden of Eden and don’t hold back; those with a
high water content will help stave off dehydration

Locally reared meat and fish – avoid packaged
supermarket fare and head straight to the market; if I’m by the sea
I tend to stick to seafood

Homemade bread – how is it that the bread is
almost always better when abroad? Homemade baked goods will
generally be lower in additives, while local bakers in larger
destinations are likely to have gluten-free options

Alcohol – choose wines that are locally
produced and, where possible, organic and biodynamic. The same goes
for beer and other alcohol; you’ll thank yourself in the morning as
it will dramatically reduce your hangover (which is just as
attributable to sugar as dehydration)

Discover More
Danielle Copperman’s Restorative Rituals for on the Road