Stay Healthy Traveling
The Ultimate Guide to Staying Healthy, Animal-Based, and
Reduce Toxins While Traveling
Traveling is an adventure—whether for business or pleasure—but it can easily throw off your health routine. Whether you're hopping on a plane, embarking on a road trip, or exploring a new country, staying consistent with your animal-based diet and movement habits is absolutely possible—you just need a solid plan.
I've traveled to 40+ countries and nearly all 50 states, so I’ve tested countless strategies to maintain my health on the go. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with practical tips for staying animal-based or carnivore while traveling and keeping up with movement, no matter where you are.
Plan Ahead: The Key to Success
Fail to plan, and you’ll find yourself stuck with ultra-processed airport food or mystery meat at a random diner. Before every trip, I research high-quality, nutrient-dense meat options at my destination, scope out local grocery stores, and identify spots where I can move—whether it's a gym, fitness studio, sauna, cold plunge, or nearby hiking trails.
Travel Days: Food Prep & Hydration
Airport and highway food options are usually ultra-processed and full of seed oils, so I always bring my own food. Here’s what I pack:
Homemade meals in containers (for domestic flights—most foods are allowed). My go-to is ground beef patties because they travel well, preferably a blend with organs for optimal nutrition. I use Vitality Blends by White Oak Pastures (code: BAE10) or Caveman Blends by Shirttail Creek Farm (code: BAE10), but you can check out my 5 favorite burger combos HERE.
Wild Caught Canned fish—most are allowed in carry-ons (under 3 oz liquid), but I also pack some in checked luggage as an emergency stash. If you're road-tripping, this makes a great shelf-stable option.
Fruit—typically apples because they travel well and provide hydration, minerals, and satiation.
Travel-friendly salt, liquid minerals, and honey.
Freeze-dried organic coffee.
A reusable water bottle or stainless steel jug (like RTIC or similar) and a coffee tumbler.
💧 Hydration Tip: I never drink airport water unless it’s in a glass bottle (hard to find!). Instead, I rely on hydrating foods like fruit or bring bone broth on board. One of my best discoveries? Packing frozen pints of bone broth for long international flights—they stay solid until my flight, then defrost mid-flight, making for the most nourishing in-air meal. I even used it instead of water to make coffee on my last trip—game changer! You can either check out my homemade bone broth recipe here or grab a more convenient option from one of my most trusted farms: Northstar Bison (code: BAE10). For road trips, I typically carry 2-gallon stainless steel jugs and find grocery stores that offer refillable reverse osmosis water. Bringing bone broth and a way to heat it on the road is also a great idea!
🛑 Pro Tip: I always pack an extra two meals in case of unexpected delays, plus a few cans of fish as backup until I can get to a quality food source to restock.
Where to Find the Best Quality Food While Traveling
Instead of searching for generic steak restaurants (which often cook with seed oils and low-quality meats), I use Google Maps and Google Search and search for:
“Grass-fed butcher near [destination]”
“Regenerative farm near [destination]”
“Organic grocery stores in [destination]”
“Local farmers’ markets in [destination]”
I also use Instagram hashtags to be helpful and use it to search for things like #carnivore[location], #grassfed[location], or #animalbased[location].
At butcher shops and farms, I ask about other sourcing nearby. Even if I can’t visit a farm, I email them to see where their products are sold or if they offer deliveries.
If I’m in a country where I don’t speak the language, Google Translate is a lifesaver for reading labels and confirming ingredients in stores!
Storage Hacks
Always check if your hotel or Airbnb has a refrigerator. If not, request one in advance.
If road-tripping, a Yeti cooler is a must—it keeps food cold for days when packed properly.
For lightweight travel, I use compact storage containers from Klean Kanteen for easy packing and organization.
What to Eat When You Can’t Cook
If I don’t have access to a kitchen, I grab quick, high-quality options like:
Wild Caught Canned fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna)
Hard-boiled eggs
Grass-fed cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt
Cold sliced meats or jerky from a quality butcher
Seasonal fruit (if including carbs)
For dining out, I search for “organic grass-fed,” “farm-to-table,” or “nose-to-tail” restaurants via Google Maps, Google Search and Instagram.
🛑 Hotel Hack: If I need to cook but don’t have a kitchen, I sometimes bring a mini portable burner and prepare meals in the hotel bathroom (sounds crazy, but it works!). Just don’t set off the fire alarm—be mindful and don’t ruin it for the rest of us! 😂
Non-Toxic Travel Essentials
Before packing, I check with my hotel or Airbnb about cookware. If necessary, I bring:
Lightweight stainless steel cookware (no Teflon!)
Non-toxic cooking tools (wooden spoon, spatula, mini cutting board)
Moka pot for coffee (or stick with organic freeze dried)
RTIC stainless steel water jug (to avoid buying plastic bottles and glass price tags)
Branch Basics (code: BAE) for their soap and laundry travel kit (if washing clothes on the go)
Bon Charge blue light blocker (code: BAE15) glasses or red light lamps to minimize the harsh effects of fluorescent lighting and help your nervous system stay in relax mode. I use these at night to avoid overstimulation.
🛑 Pro Tip: I always check that my Airbnb does not use fragrance. Strong artificial scents give me headaches and they are terrible for your health and respiratory system, so I confirm this before booking. Also, when packing, I use my empty gallon jug for storing items to save space!
Mindful Consumption While Traveling
Being intentional is key. For example, while in Switzerland, I indulged in all the local cheeses—so I adjusted my macros by reducing fat intake elsewhere. Normally, I add butter to my coffee every morning, but instead, I swapped it for skim milk, opted for leaner meats, and made small adjustments to ensure I could enjoy plenty of cheese without overloading on fat. 🙂
If you want a deeper dive into how I balance fat and carbs on an animal-based diet, check out my Animal-Based Diet Guide!
Stay Active: Movement Matters
Walk, walk, walk! Whether for business or pleasure, I prioritize movement daily. If walking isn’t feasible, I ensure my accommodation has a gym or research nearby fitness centers, classes, or outdoor options like hiking and swimming.
Most gyms offer free day trials or drop-in class options—great for switching things up, staying motivated, and meeting locals! I also search for wellness clinics offering unique experiences like saunas or cold plunges—another great way to explore culture while supporting local businesses.
Some people don’t see working out as part of a vacation, but for me, it’s essential. Taking an hour to move my body helps me feel good, stay relaxed, KEEPS ME REGULAR and fully absorb the experience. Exercise clears out any sluggishness and boosts my energy—so I can enjoy my travels even more.
But hey, you do you! 😊
Combatting Travel Constipation
One of the most common travel issues is constipation, often caused by a mix of stress, dehydration, lack of movement, and unfamiliar foods. But honestly, by taking all the steps outlined above, you’re already building consistency and routine—two key factors in keeping things regular!
Now, instead of relying on fiber supplements or laxatives, here are some reminders and additional animal-based strategies to keep digestion smooth while traveling:
Hydrate Effectively: Dehydration is a major cause of sluggish digestion. But too much plain water can actually dehydrate you! Focus on real hydration with mineral-rich water, hydrating foods, and fruits. Add a pinch of mineral-rich salt for better absorption.
Eat Enough Liquid Fat: Healthy fats like tallow, butter, and ghee can lubricate digestion and keep things moving.
Prioritize Magnesium: Many people are low in magnesium, which plays a key role in digestion. Magnesium-rich foods include grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, and dairy.
Move Your Body—A Lot: Sitting for long periods (like on planes or in cars) slows digestion. Take walks, stretch, or do squats to get things going. And I’ll say it again—walk everywhere! Movement is one of the most underrated tools for digestion.
Consume Collagen-Rich Foods: Bone broth, slow-cooked meats, and gelatin-based foods help support gut health and keep digestion running smoothly.
Include Natural Digestive Aids: Fermented foods like kefir, pickles, and even a squeeze of lemon water in the morning can help stimulate digestion. I also find apples helpful, but the key is figuring out what foods work for you.
Listen to Your Body: Stress and disrupted routines can mess with digestion. Breathe, relax, and trust your body to adjust. And don’t forget sleep—your circadian rhythm is directly linked to gut health. Prioritize rest and recovery as much as you can.
Conclusion
Stay Healthy & Energized on the Go
Travel doesn’t have to derail your health goals. With a little planning, you can stay animal-based, avoid toxins, and feel your best—no matter where you are. From packing nutrient-dense meals to finding quality food sources and staying active, these strategies will keep you on track while you explore the world.
P.S. Want more travel hacks, wellness tips, and animal-based nutrition guides? Stay tuned for upcoming content, and check out my blog page!
If this guide helped you, share it with fellow travelers who want to stay healthy on the road!
👉 Ready to make animal-based eating effortless?
Grab my Animal-Based Diet Guide for meal ideas, macro breakdowns, and more travel-friendly tips!
