Whether it’s a vacation, a year of study abroad or a stay abroad for work, our eating habits can change radically. For some, it’s the open door to slacking off… It’s all the more difficult because culinary habits vary considerably from one continent to another, from one country to another…
Here are a few tips to help you indulge yourself while continuing to eat healthily for yourself and the environment.
Keep to a regular meal schedule
During the vacations, we often tend to relax. However, this doesn’t mean you have to eat several times a day, nibbling left and right. Stick to a regular meal schedule, with at least two main meals, a breakfast and/or a snack. Even if they are out of sync with your normal schedule.
This helps to maintain regular intake and digestive rest periods. Also to structure your diet and avoid heavy consumption of nutritionally “poor” foods.
Foods to choose for you and the planet
To have a positive impact on the environment, you need to eat sustainably, even when you’re traveling! Sustainable food is the set of food practices that aim to feed human beings in sufficient quantity and quality. All while respecting the environment and being economically accessible and remunerative throughout the food chain.
Here are 5 examples of foods that are good for your health, the environment and your taste buds!
- Cereals and grains (quinoa, buckwheat, white fonio, millet): Choose wholegrain cereals, which are better for your health because they concentrate fiber, protein and vitamins. What’s more, eating whole grains lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduces hunger, gives you energy and reduces stress.
- Pulses (lentils, black beans, broad beans, mung beans) have a unique ability to fix and use nitrogen in the atmosphere. They don’t need chemical fertilizers to grow.
- Spinach is fast-growing and therefore has a low environmental impact. It’s also rich in iron, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
- Nuts and seeds (flaxseed, sesame seeds, hemp seeds) are considered one of the most nutritious varieties. However, you shouldn’t eat just any variety, as not all are sustainable.
- Seaweed has a limited impact on the environment, and is considered the food of the future thanks to its many health and environmental benefits. They are rich in minerals and fiber. The most environmentally-friendly seaweeds are: nori seaweed, Wakame seaweed and laver seaweed.
Eating seasonal produce… at the right time of year
Fruits and vegetables grown out of season are generally inferior because they haven’t received enough sun and therefore heat. It’s best to avoid eating products that have traveled halfway around the world before reaching your plate. Choosing locally-produced food generally reduces greenhouse gas emissions linked to transport, as air travel has a greater impact on our environment than boats and trucks.
Eating in season also means adapting your diet to your body’s needs. Winter fruits and vegetables don’t necessarily provide the same nutrients as summer ones. And a little bonus: they are also on average less expensive than produce eaten out of season.
Travelling to a distant country gives you access to fruit and vegetables that are in season in your destination country, whereas they are not in season at all in your home country.
Which country has the best food?
Here are the top 5 countries with the best food:
- Peru leads the way in gastronomy. It is varied, healthy and tasty. Peruvian cuisine boasts some of the country’s top-ranked restaurants. Ceviche is certainly the best-known of the country’s specialties. You’ll also find empanadas, aji chicken broth and meat-filled potatoes.
- Italy: pizzas and pastas are the best known, but Italian cuisine is so much richer than these 2 flagship dishes. You’ll find stews, local olive oil, mozzarella, succulent tomatoes, seafood and fresh fish to enjoy when the fishermen arrive.
- France: A gastronomic staple, France is a country that cares about food. This is evident in every meal, ingredient and style. Dishes differ from region to region. On the menu: blanquette de veau, bœuf bourguignon, choucroute, bouillabaisse….
- India: India’s food cultures are extremely varied. Vegetarian dishes include dal, Aloo Gobi and Palak Paneer. Non-vegetarian dishes often include mutton or chicken, such as Tandoori Chicken, Tikka Masala or Murgh Makhani.
- Japan is largely represented worldwide by sushi, but it’s not the country’s only specialty. Crispy pork with sauce, korokke croquettes or dried jellyfish are just as popular.
With these tips, you can already contribute to the emergence of new eating habits that are good for your health, even when you’re far from home!
During your stay abroad, and depending on the nature of your stay, you should alsotake out travel insurance, expatriate insurance or student abroad insurance.
