How I Keep My Energy Up on the Road
What I eat when I travel, and when I eat it, depends entirely on where I’m going and what happens along the way. Sometimes I’m flying for ten hours with layovers. Other times I’m driving long distances. Delays happen, plans change, and I don’t always know when I will have the chance to grab a meal.
Creating content takes me to all kinds of places, and I genuinely love exploring, so the journey is always worth it. I just need to arrive with enough energy left to work and have some fun too.
When I fly, it’s rarely direct. Because of where I live, I usually depart from smaller airports, so most trips involve connecting through a major hub before I can get where I’m actually going. With those connections, even a relatively short flight can turn into a ten-hour ordeal.
I may not follow a strict schedule for food and drink when I travel, but I do have a few good habits that help me stay energized. Plenty of water is always number one. Protein comes next. Beyond that, I choose something reasonably healthy when I can and listen to my body.
Travel keeps my typical week from becoming too predictable. When a trip is on the calendar, I prepare what I can before I leave and stay flexible once I’m on my way.
Before I Leave
If I’m flying somewhere, I start hydrating before I even get to the airport. Flying really dries out my skin, so I always take an empty bottle through security, then fill it up as soon as I’m through.
For a long flight, especially overseas, I usually buy another two or three large bottles of water. I don’t want to have to rely on those tiny cups you get on the plane or keep bugging the flight attendants for more. Starting the trip well hydrated also seems to help me handle jet lag much better.
Depending on the trip, I’ll probably pack a protein bar or some crackers in my bag in case I get hungry. That is usually as far as my food prep goes.
Airport Mornings
If it’s a travel morning, coffee is a must. My normal order is an iced soy coffee. It’s quick and easy, and the soy gives me a bit of protein.
I’m naturally a big-breakfast, big-dinner person. If I have time, I’ll eat before I leave or get something substantial at the airport. My first choice is usually a chicken and egg breakfast burrito. It is satisfying, has plenty of protein, and provides steady energy for a good few hours.
A bottled protein shake is another favorite because it is simple and usually easy to find. Airports vary in their selection of healthy food, so I just work with what is available. I choose something filling, then get on with my day.
During the flight
Once I’m on the plane, I keep drinking water, especially on longer flights. Since I’m mostly just sitting there, I don’t tend to get very hungry. I’ll eat the onboard meal if there is one. If not, I’m perfectly fine waiting until I land.
I carry a small snack with me as a backup rather than as part of any meal plan. If a delay leaves me with a tight connection and no time to grab food, having a little something can stop me from going from "slightly hungry" to "full-on hangry."
I have had travel days when I didn’t manage to get everything I needed before boarding. The worst was when I forgot to buy water and then ran out of time to get any before I got on the plane. I spent the whole flight incredibly thirsty. It was miserable. I can handle having to wait for a meal, but I don’t ever want to be stuck without enough water.
That experience is why filling my bottle as soon as I get through security is now a non-negotiable. It’s one small thing I can take care of straight away before I start worrying about finding my gate and getting ready to board.
After I land
I try to book flights that arrive around two or three in the afternoon. That timing is ideal for me. I can check in to my accommodation, get settled, and still have time to eat and relax. It’s also easier to stay awake until a reasonable bedtime instead of spending the whole day feeling like a zombie and fighting jet lag the next day.
Flights that land very early in the morning are much harder. Everything feels scrambled, including my appetite. I might force myself to stay awake to adjust to the new time zone, but I don’t force myself to eat at local mealtimes. I wait until I’m actually hungry.
Once I am ready to eat, I love going out and trying something local. It’s one of the best parts of being somewhere new. After a flight, I am often craving protein. In Greece, I ordered beef carpaccio after one long travel day. Those slivers of raw beef might not be for everyone, but it was exactly what my body needed.
Getting out to explore is my favorite part of traveling, but after a really long travel day, I sometimes lack the energy. I’ll happily order room service at a hotel or get delivery. That doesn’t necessarily mean fast food, though. I’ll still look for something reasonably balanced, especially if I have work the next morning, but it needs to be easy.
Content Days Change Everything
What I eat depends on what I’m doing. A photo shoot and a full content day might both involve being in front of a camera, but that’s where the similarities end.
A photo shoot usually means a couple of hours of focused work with a photographer. I eat normally in the days leading up to it, but on the morning itself, I keep breakfast light. I might have just a croissant and coffee. The carbs help me feel sharp and alert, while a protein-heavy meal can sometimes leave me feeling bloated. I save the big meal until afterward.
I might get hungry before the shoot is over, but I can usually keep going until we finish. I guess I’m a bit of a camel in that sense. I’ve eaten normally leading up to the shoot, so even if my stomach is complaining, I’m not running on empty.
Once we finish, I’m definitely ready for a decent meal. I’ll usually go out for lunch with the photographer or have something delivered to the location. If for some reason that doesn’t happen, I can guarantee I’ll be having a big dinner later.
A content creation day is action-packed. I’m busy from start to finish, doing many different things and literally covering a lot of ground along the way. When I’m looking for great photo locations, I might hike for hours from one spot to the next or clamber over rocks to find the perfect shot. I’m also recording video for YouTube or OFTV, taking still photos, and creating behind-the-scenes content. These days take much more physical energy than photo shoot days. I also need to stay focused and bring enough personality to keep the content fun. I eat much more and keep eating throughout the day. Having enough energy to keep going and do my best work is my top priority.
These days usually start with a much bigger breakfast than I would have before a photo shoot. I might have bacon and eggs with plenty of toast, or a big bowl of yogurt with fruit and granola. Once the day gets going, I’ll have a protein shake and grab something whenever I can. Raspberry fig bars are a favorite, and I usually bring cashews too.
There isn’t always a convenient time to stop for lunch on a content day. The best light doesn’t care what time I planned to eat. If the conditions are good, I’ll keep shooting and get food when I can.
By the end of the day, I’m usually famished. I’ll be ready for a feast with plenty of protein, carbs, and vegetables in whatever form I can get them. Whatever dinner looks like, somebody else is cooking because I’m definitely not.
Progress Over Perfection
I love working out. Gotta maintain the beefcake. I’m definitely a gym girlie, but if I don’t make it to one while I’m on the road, it’s not a crisis. At home, I train three or four days a week. When I’m away, I’m usually doing plenty of walking or hiking, so I stay active without needing a separate workout. Plus, paying around $30 for a single gym visit just doesn’t feel worthwhile.
What I eat looks different when I’m away because I have less control over what is available. I still try to eat well, but I don’t want finding food to become a massive project. Sometimes the easiest option is the best one.
Final Thoughts
Travel days are never going to run perfectly, and I don’t really need them to. I want to be prepared enough that I’m not trapped on a plane without water again, but not so rigid that a delayed lunch ruins my day.
Making sure I have enough water, keeping snacks handy, and staying active are all simple things, but they add up. Together, they help me keep my energy up for both the work and the fun parts of the trip. That matters far more to me than eating perfectly on one particular day.
Want to see what I’m fueling up for? Keep reading my travel and creator stories. There’s usually a remote spot, a good story behind it, and something (or someone) worth checking out.
