Do you maintain a healthy diet on the road? Sadly, with the nonstop commotion that accompanies life in the meeting industry, the answer is likely "no." So perhaps now is the time to take matters into your own hands.
"More people are taking their health into their own hands," says Sandi Jacobs, whose company, Life With Zest, is focused on health and wellness for "pros on the go." "Due to demand, more travel-related establishments have started selling healthier options such as salads, whole fruit, grilled options, lower-calorie and specific diet-related food options for health-conscious road warriors."
Jacobs is also involved with Caesars Entertainment’s Wellness Menu, an initiative that makes meeting planners’ lives easier by offering healthy F&B options, wellness activations (such as meditation and yoga) and expert speakers.
"I am delighted to be included as a wellness speaker on Caesars Entertainment’s Wellness Menu," she says. "It is fantastic to see their strong commitment to promoting wellness."
Stock up on healthy snacks
Unfortunately, despite having more healthy options, there are many obstacles to eating healthy, Jacobs says.
"Fast food companies spend billions of dollars creating the perfect recipes of salt, sugar, fat and the ‘crunch factor,’ making their foods craveable and addictive," she says. "The stress of daily life leaves people with no energy or time to prepare healthy food. The convenience of stopping at fast food places often wins over healthy choices."
Being prepared with a healthy snack and water when you leave the house or your hotel while on the road will help prevent bad choices, Jacobs says.
"Stock up on healthy snacks like nuts and seeds, protein bars, trail mix, granola, homemade popcorn (no butter) or fruit," she says, adding that she recommends organic items such as kombucha. "You never know what surprises may come up, so you always want a healthy snack choice in your pocket/bag to prevent grabbing something unhealthy when hunger strikes."
Water is essential for a healthy diet, Jacobs notes, so always carry a reusable metal water bottle.
"Metal is preferred as plastic contains microplastics linked to health issues that can damage body cells, plus it reduces plastic waste," she says. "And now it is easier to fill up when you’re running low on water since many airports and hotels have installed water bottle refill stations."
Plant-based eating
Jacobs started studying health and wellness around age 11.
"I grew up with relatives who neglected their health and died too early. I vowed I would not end up like them," she says. "I continued my journey into wellness by getting degrees in teaching physical education and dance, then [became] a fitness nutrition specialist and health and life coach. My passion for natural health and wellness developed from attending the Natural Products Show. I now base my research on the work of alternative, functional doctors and practitioners focused on preventive, natural health and wellness."
Following the hottest year on record in 2023, more people started focusing on climate-friendly, regional and seasonal, plant-based and animal-friendly foods, Jacobs says.
"Consumers are looking beyond nutrition for plant-based functional foods that create a better bang for their buck and protect against chronic diseases," she says. "They want foods that offer restorative medicinal and protective-health benefits, plus holistic wellness. The emphasis is on a wide variety of healthy, whole foods as close to nature as possible: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, leafy greens and healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil. Their diet is also low in added sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats."
Though we’re still fighting through an epidemic of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, Jacobs has hope for a healthier society.
"Hopefully, the growth predictions of the Food as Medicine Initiative (introduced in 2022 by the White House) and plant-based eating trends come to fruition," she says. "According to Grand View Research, ‘the global vegan food market is expected to grow at 10.6% compound annual growth rate per year between 2022 and 2030, reaching $37.45 billion by 2030.’"
