How I Eat While Traveling

One of my favorite things about traveling is the food. For me, a trip wouldn’t feel complete without diving into the local cuisine. I don’t follow any strict diet rules when I’m on the road—I want to experience food the way locals do. And honestly, you never know when you’ll stumble upon your new favorite dish.

That said, I try to keep a couple of principles in mind. I make sure I get enough protein, and I avoid overly greasy meals. Other than that, I’m open to almost anything. Because here’s the truth: you don’t want to leave a new country with the regret of not exploring its gastronomic treasures.

(I mean, how can you miss out on steamed crocodile head and BBQ crocodile?)

Fruits: My Weakness

One thing I absolutely devour when I travel—especially in tropical or exotic places—is fruit. Mango, pineapple, passion fruit... I could eat them all day. In fact, when I was in China and Vietnam this summer, I’m pretty sure I broke some kind of national record for mango consumption.

I genuinely believe fruit is one of the best sources of carbs in the world. It gives you energy, vitamins, fiber (which helps keep blood sugar stable), and of course, amazing flavor.

Balance Over Restriction

I don’t believe in restricting myself too much when I’m abroad. Food is such a big part of culture, and limiting yourself can make traveling less exciting. That said, I do try to limit refined sugar and fried foods—even though I have a sweet tooth (as you can read in this blog post). But I’ll still buy candy or chips every now and then. It’s all about balance.

Eating Depends on the Trip

How I eat also depends on what kind of trip I’m on.

• Asia & Hostels: When I’m backpacking through Asia and staying in hostels, I eat out for every meal—because there’s usually no kitchen. Luckily, eating out is both cheap and delicious there.

• Europe & Airbnbs: In Europe, if I’m staying in an Airbnb with a kitchen, I’ll usually cook some meals myself and save dinners for eating out. There’s something special about relaxing in a restaurant in the evening after a long day of exploring.

• Long Stays: When I lived in Hong Kong for five months as a student, I cooked about 70% of my meals in the dorm’s shared kitchen. That still left plenty of meals to explore the city’s incredible food scene.

When I cooked at the dorm, I kept it simple—beef or chicken with rice and tomato sauce, often with scrambled eggs mixed in. Easy, cheap, tasty, and nutritious.

My Advice for Eating While Traveling

Over time, I think I’ve found a balance between eating well, enjoying local flavors, and keeping my diet somewhat nutritious. Here’s what I’d recommend:

• If you have a kitchen, cook some simple meals. Maybe prep lunch and then treat yourself to dinner at a restaurant.

• If you don’t have access to a kitchen, find a local dish that keeps you full but isn’t overloaded with fried food or refined sugar.

• Don’t be too strict with yourself. Traveling is the best time to indulge. Eat the crêpes in France, try the fried fish tacos in Mexico, and do not miss the spring rolls in Vietnam.

At the end of the day, food is a huge part of the travel experience. Don’t let strict diets keep you from some of the best memories you can make.

(This beef noodle in Chongqing was one of the best food I have ever eaten)

Chongqings patented hot pot,

a must if you visit!