The Travel Excuse That's Keeping You Fat
"I'd eat better, but I travel 3 weeks a month. It's impossible."
A 47-year-old Managing Director told me this last week.
So I asked him:
"What'd you have for breakfast this morning?"
"Uh... grabbed a muffin and a large cappuccino from the airport."
"And lunch?"
"Client lunch. Three courses. Couple of wines."
"Dinner tonight?"
"Business dinner. Steakhouse."
"Right. So you're not struggling to find food. You're struggling to make better choices when food is right in front of you."
Silence.
Here's The Truth About "Travel Eating"
You're not a victim of airports and hotels.
You're swimming in food options everywhere you go:
- Airport lounges with eggs, yogurt, fruit
- Hotel gyms with meal prep options
- Restaurants with grilled protein and vegetables
- Room service with decent choices
The problem isn't availability. It's decision-making under stress.
Why Smart People Make Dumb Food Choices While Traveling
1. Decision Fatigue
You've already made 47 high-stakes decisions today. By dinner, your brain defaults to "fuck it, I'll have the pasta and wine."
2. Sleep Deprivation Increases Hunger Hormones
Bad sleep = elevated ghrelin = you want all the carbs.
3. You're Using Food As Stress Relief
After a brutal client meeting, that dessert feels earned. Except you're "earning" it 4x per week.
The Executive Travel Nutrition Protocol
Pre-Flight
High-protein meal before heading to airport. You control this meal—maximize it.
At Airport
Lounge: Eggs, smoked salmon, Greek yogurt
No lounge: Protein bar + black coffee
On Plane
Skip the meal. Drink water. Arrive not bloated.
Hotel Check-In
Immediately find the closest grocery. Stock room with:
- Greek yogurt
- Protein bars
- Nuts
- Fruit
The Bottom Line
Travel doesn't make you fat. Poor decisions while traveling do.
And poor decisions happen when you don't have a system.