Traveling during the Spring Festival, be stylish but don’t ignore the food

Nowadays, the way people celebrate the Spring Festival is no longer limited to the whole family sitting together. More and more people are choosing to travel during the Spring Festival. Food is the first necessity of the people, and food on the road is of course important, otherwise the beautiful scenery will become boring.

Maintain energy with adequate staple food

The three meals a day on the road are often irregular, but energy consumption is always present, so it is important to prepare some simple staple foods that can quickly provide energy. For example, individually packaged bread and steamed buns can quickly provide energy for the body. If you travel by high-speed rail or train, you can also bring instant noodles.

At the same time, instant oatmeal porridge and eight-treasure porridge are also good choices. They are rich in dietary fiber and multiple vitamins, can provide lasting energy, maintain satiety, and are easy to eat. Paired with nuts such as cashews, almonds, walnuts, etc. that are rich in high-quality fat and protein, they can further replenish the energy and nutrition needed by the body and ensure that you are energetic during the journey.

High-quality protein is essential

During travel, changes in the environment, temperature, flora, and other aspects, as well as contact with dense crowds, may cause physical discomfort. Adequate high-quality protein can enhance the body's immunity and is indispensable in the diet.

For example, vacuum-packed eggs, dried tofu, and dairy products are all good sources of high-quality protein. Beef jerky is also a good choice, as it is rich in protein and has a firm and chewy texture. It can not only replenish energy but also satisfy your appetite. It is also easy to carry and store, making it an ideal snack on the go.

Choose fruits and vegetables that kill two birds with one stone

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables with sufficient water can not only relieve thirst caused by the dry environment in the car, but also provide sufficient vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber.

When traveling, you should choose fruits and vegetables that are easy to eat and not afraid of being squeezed, such as washed cucumbers, apples, pears, cherry tomatoes, dragon fruit, etc. You can also bring some dried dates, raisins, dried blueberries, dried prunes and other dried fruits. They are small in size and easy to carry. They taste sour and sweet. They can be used as snacks, and can quickly replenish sugar and energy and increase satiety.

Bring plenty of drinking water and hot food

The temperature is low in winter, so try not to drink cold water. If you are traveling by car, in addition to putting two boxes of mineral water in the trunk, it is recommended to bring one or two large thermos kettles of hot water. In addition, drinks such as milk, bagged soy milk, almond milk, etc. can quickly replenish energy and prevent hypoglycemia, which is suitable for drivers who drive long distances.

During the Spring Festival, the temperature in most places is low. Once you encounter a long traffic jam, some ready-to-eat hot food becomes very important. For example, self-heating hot pot, etc., this kind of food is rich and has a variety of flavors to choose from. With simple operation, you can enjoy steaming food in a short time, satisfying your taste buds while warming your body. However, it is not recommended to eat this kind of food in a moving car to avoid burns.

Enjoy the specialties along the way

When traveling, tasting some local specialties is a must. However, the premise of enjoying food is to ensure food safety.

It is cold in the north, so try to choose hot food to avoid adding cold to cold, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea, delaying your trip and causing suffering. In the south, where the climate is relatively warm, you should pay attention to food safety issues. People with poor stomachs should try not to try fruits that have been cut early, small cold dishes that are not sure when they are made, and special raw foods.

Before eating, be sure to wash your hands. You can carry portable hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes to ensure that your hands are clean and reduce the spread of germs.

Ensure nutritional balance

When tasting local specialties, you should also ensure a balanced diet. If you are dining in a restaurant, try to order a combination of meat and vegetables to ensure that you get a balanced intake of protein, vitamins, and dietary fiber. When choosing staple foods, consider the combination of coarse and fine grains. In addition to the common white rice and white flour, you can also order some corn, sweet potatoes, and whole grain rice as a supplement to the staple food.

During the Spring Festival, there are many delicious foods from all over the country. Although it is difficult to control yourself to eat only 70% to 80% full at each meal, you should also remind yourself and your family to chew slowly during meals and not overeat.

If you already feel bloating and indigestion, you can also prepare some medicines or foods that help digestion, such as Jianwei Xiaoshi tablets or hawthorn tablets. At the same time, you should appropriately reduce the intake of greasy and spicy foods, and eat more light and easily digestible foods to reduce the burden on the stomach.

In short, when traveling during the Spring Festival, you can satisfy your taste buds and ensure your health by arranging your diet reasonably. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the journey in a happy festive atmosphere.

(The author Li Dongye is a popular science lecturer of the China Institute of Inspection and Testing and a director of the Capital Health Nutrition and Gourmet Society)