I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t hold back on the extra calories when I travel! I do my best to eat healthy where possible, but there’s no denying that a lot of the time it just isn’t possible to eat 100% healthy (or anywhere even close). Also I can’t help but to try a little bit of everything when in a new country which often results in a full tummy! But I’d rather leave without regrets and be able to say I at least tried everything, even if I don’t always enjoy it!
So when I get home after a big trip of indulgence, I often feel the need to flip my eating habits and engage in a 7 day post travel detox. This leaves me feeling as though I have switched back to my better eating habits and got the bad stuff out of my system (until the next trip at least!!!)
7 Day Travel Detox
Here’s how to get back on track with my strict 7 day rules, followed by an effort to incorporate them into my life every day after the seven, but allow some cheeky treats as well!
Drink only Water & Tea
Goodbye fizzy diet cokes to stave off the hunger until I find something decent to eat or 12 coffees in the morning to push myself out the door and en route to an airport! For the first 7 days after a trip be sure to drink plenty of water – at least 6-8 glasses per day. Always carry a water bottle around with you (it makes it a lot easier to drink so much water as it becomes habitual) and drink as much green tea as you like to flush out your system. If you don’t like the taste of water, try infusing it with some lime, cucumber and mint for flavour. Berries also work a treat if you have a sweet tooth!
Breakfast: Smoothie Bowls
As a self-confessed breakfast smoothie bowl junkie, I really don’t think there’s a better way to start your day than by eating a colourful bright bowl of sweet, indulgent happiness! My favourite smoothie bowls would have to be an Acai bowl ( here’s my recipe ) as it is packed with antioxidants and perfect for a detox that isn’t boring – these things taste better than ice cream!
Lunch: Salad (raw vegetarian)
After a super filling breakfast, you won’t be too hungry at lunch time but its important to treat your body to some leafy goodness so you can stave off hunger and/or sugar cravings later in the day. A light leafy green salad (add some goat’s cheese, balsamic reduction and walnuts for flavour) is all you need to push you through until a late afternoon snack + dinner in the evening!
Dinner: Eat a Rainbow
This is one of the easiest meals to “fall apart” on during a travel detox, as you’re often tired, jet lagged, and just want to grab take-out or something easy. But don’t let it happen to you! Cook a big plate of veggies (grilled with goat’s cheese gives a lot of flavour or a quick stir fry with soya sauce is a much funner way to eat veggies) and some grilled meat if you’re not a vegetarian. I’ve been a vego for ten years and love vegetables but understand not everyone does – however don’t write them off without trying to cook them different ways!
Snacks – Don’t forget snacks!
The worse part of a detox is feeling bored and deprived – don’t do it to yourself!!! It is important to note that everyone and everyone’s bodies are different, so listen to yours and act accordingly. If you’re craving sugar, grab a banana – not only are they sweet but they are also very filling and full of fibre. If you just want a light bite, try an apple. If you’re craving something savoury, try some veggie chips or kale chips. Et voila! You’ve stuck to your fruit + veg detox!
Eat at Home Only
One of the best ways to keep on track during a detox is to forego eating out and prepare/cook for yourself! That way you know exactly what is in your smoothies (no added refined sugar), exactly how much oil you’re using on your veggies, etc. etc.
Exercise: Burn a few calories, something is better than nothing!
Yep…. you knew this was coming! The only way to stick to exercise (if you ask me) is to not think of it as exercise. Instead of making a point every day to “exercise”, think of fun activities you can do to get outdoors – walking, hiking, running in the outdoors, etc. It may even just be that you dance in front of your mirror for half an hour like you’re in a high intensity 80’s aerobics video! Going on a bike ride with a friend can also be a great way to re-explore your neighbourhood or try a new yoga class you’ve always wanted to do! The point being: exercise doesn’t have to be inside the gym!
If you can: Sauna, Spa, or Hot Yoga
And finally, a detoxing ritual that I wish I could engage in more frequently, but sadly my small hometown doesn’t allow for it! If you have access to a sauna and steam room, this is a great way to naturally detoxify your body and leaves you feeling uber rejuvenated. Hot yoga (also known as Bikram) burns around 500-600 calories in a class and is another great way to sweat out those yucky toxins. Give it a try – you never know, you might really enjoy it!
“Whatever your mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve regardless of how many times you may have failed in the past.”
– Napoleon Hill
Brooke Saward
Brooke founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. Now in it's third year, World of Wanderlust is home to a collection of the world's best experiences, destinations, tours, hotels, restaurants, and lifestyle brands.
You Might Also Like
10 Things you Need in your Carry On Luggage
January 20, 2015
How to Survive Long Haul Flights
January 27, 2016
The 20 Best Jobs for People who Love to Travel
February 9, 2015DIY Coffee Body Scrub (Goodbye Cellulite!) | WORLD OF WANDERLUSTWORLD OF WANDERLUST
February 14, 2016 at 8:28 pm[…] In the mood for a post-travel detox? Try our 7 day post-travel detox plan! […]
DIY Coffee Body Scrub (Goodbye Cellulite!) - AmandoBlogs.comAmandoBlogs.com
February 14, 2016 at 2:08 pm[…] In the mood for a post-travel detox? Try our 7 day post-travel detox plan! […]
Britt
January 25, 2016 at 2:33 amI think my body is beginning to reject all of the food I’ve been eating on this trip. It’s not happy with me at all! I should probably do this while I’m travelling, and not wait for afterwards! haha
Megan
January 22, 2016 at 2:23 pmIf you don’t have access to a sauna or hot tub, a bath at home does the trick just as well. Just make sure the water is hot enough to make you sweat. Adding epsom salt is great for a detox and a few drops of lavender oil is very relaxing
Maddy
January 22, 2016 at 6:00 amThis is such a great post. I DEFINITELY don’t hold back on eating everything while traveling, so as soon as I get home, I always try to eat healthier and exercise more. I’m currently in the process of a detox as I just got home from eating heavy European foods for the past month!! I agree with you that eating at home only is the way to go – even if you’re eating “healthy” food at a restaurant, it’s not nearly as healthy as what you could make at home!
Shannon
January 22, 2016 at 3:47 amGreat advice. Great blog too:)
Dora Toubanaki
January 22, 2016 at 3:29 amThank you for the tips!!
Dora
Francesca
January 22, 2016 at 2:35 amIt’s weird… when I travel with my husband, we tend to eat very well and we even exercise quite regularly. All of the full, yucky bellies come when we go back home to visit our families and friends! Hahhaa! Just how I feel when we are out and about doing our own thing makes me want to stay gone forever.. but that’s unrealistic and I would really miss my family and friends! So, we take the good with the bad and do the best we can! Thanks for sharing your tips and recipes 🙂
claire
January 21, 2016 at 11:24 pmThanks for this post – I always treat time away as a free-for-all food fest and my body doesn’t thank me! I’ll be taking your tips to heart 🙂
Sandy
January 21, 2016 at 9:22 pmI love this! Sounds exactly like what I would eat at home (but I haven’t been home for almost 6 months and missing being in a healthy routine!) Thanks for sharing ✅
Travelblogger Lisa
January 21, 2016 at 6:35 pmAmazing, thanks for sharing!
xx – Lisa – Travelblog Joy Della Vita
Keri Blair
January 21, 2016 at 3:08 pmEverything looks beautiful!
Keri
Emma
January 21, 2016 at 2:54 pmThank you for sharing a detox that is realistic/sounds good & doesn’t consist of only green smoothies/starving yourself!!!! Feeling more motivated already lol
xx
Brittany Justham
January 21, 2016 at 1:29 pmI did hot yoga for 2-3 years and absolutely loved it! It really intimidated me at first because it is so hot, but it really relaxes your muscles and helps you become super in-tune with your body and emotions! Definitely recommend. (ALSO, don’t think that just because it is called yoga that it means all you will be doing is stretching. Vinyassa yoga (opposed to Hatha or Yin which are held stretches the whole time) is VERY active and physically demanding.
Jessy
January 21, 2016 at 12:09 pmThis looks like a very interesting diet! I had never heard of anything like this! 😮
The pictures look stunning! almost make me wanna try it! haha
Dorky-and-weird.blogspot.com
Xoxo Jessy
Kari
January 21, 2016 at 11:17 amI just got back from Iceland and have been so sluggish and craving comfort foods, but its good to remember that healthy food will make me feel better!
Kari
Alexandra Chung
January 21, 2016 at 10:41 amI love your tips! I’ve actually never tried a smoothie bowl but I’ve always wanted to! I love your recipe especially the bee pollen!
Gloria
January 21, 2016 at 10:33 amEverything looks so yummy and healthy!! Going to try this soon! 🙂
Darina
January 21, 2016 at 8:14 amGood tips! I will start with it!
Emily
January 21, 2016 at 8:07 amDefinitely going to try this after my travels sometime! I’ll never hold back on the travel calories. 😉 #ilovefood
