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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s clear something up right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am NOT the guy who\u2019s going to tell you to visit New Orleans and order dry grilled chicken while everybody else at the table is enjoying gumbo and laughing like civilized human beings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s not happening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m also not the guy who\u2019s going to drive through Wisconsin and ignore a Friday fish fry like it\u2019s some kind of moral victory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019m definitely not the guy who\u2019s going to stand inside a small-town bakery staring directly at fresh apple pie pretending:
\u201cNo thanks\u2026 fruit is enough dessert for me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Absolutely not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life\u2019s too short for food sadness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travel and food belong together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of my favorite memories involve diners, roadside caf\u00e9s, harbor seafood shacks, tiny bakeries, coffee shops, breakfast counters, and little family restaurants tucked into towns barely big enough to support a stoplight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food tells you about a place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
About the people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
About the history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
About whether locals take gravy seriously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which honestly matters more than people realize. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You learn things over meals you\u2019ll never learn from guidebooks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And somewhere along the line I also learned something else: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal after sixty isn\u2019t avoiding good food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal is enjoying it without needing sweatpants and a recovery week afterward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Big difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I Finally Quit Thinking In Terms Of \u201cGood\u201d And \u201cBad\u201d Foods <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This changed everything for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
People tend to travel in one of two extremes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Extreme One:
\u201cI\u2019m on vacation. Nothing counts.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Extreme Two:
\u201cI must maintain perfect dietary discipline at all times.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neither approach works very well honestly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first one leaves you feeling bloated, sluggish, and mildly disappointed in your life choices by Day Three. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second one leaves you staring sadly at restaurant menus while pretending steamed vegetables feel exciting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I prefer a third option now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enjoy the foods that MATTER. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Skip the foods that don\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simple. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If I\u2019m in Maine, I\u2019m eating lobster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If I\u2019m in Texas, barbecue\u2019s happening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If I\u2019m near the coast, seafood\u2019s entering the conversation immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But maybe I don\u2019t also need stale gas station donuts just because they\u2019re sitting there beside the register looking emotionally available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s the difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Intentional enjoyment beats random overeating every single time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I Build The Day Around One Great Meal <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This strategy saved me from myself honestly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of treating every meal like a championship eating event, I pick one meal each day to really enjoy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe breakfast at a famous diner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe seafood by the harbor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe dessert from that bakery everybody keeps recommending. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever it is, I enjoy it fully. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
No guilt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
No weird food math. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
No pretending I \u201cearned\u201d it by walking three blocks afterward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the rest of the day stays reasonably balanced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not restrictive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Balanced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Funny enough, this actually makes good meals MORE enjoyable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anticipation matters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A really good slice of pie tastes better when you actually wanted it instead of eating six random desserts beforehand because:
\u201cVacation!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Breakfast Matters More Than I Used To Think <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Years ago I skipped breakfast constantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Terrible strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By midmorning I\u2019d become hungry enough to consider eating complimentary hotel lobby cookies wrapped in plastic beside tourist brochures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now I start travel days with something that actually keeps me going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oatmeal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yogurt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fruit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Protein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing fancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing influencer-approved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just real food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A decent breakfast prevents a shocking number of bad travel food decisions later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honestly hunger is responsible for half the regrettable purchases in America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other half are probably late-night online shopping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emergency Snacks Prevent Desperation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This sounds dramatic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travel hunger arrives suddenly and makes people irrational. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flight delays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Road construction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restaurants closed unexpectedly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Long scenic drives where \u201cthe next town\u201d apparently exists somewhere in another geological era. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I keep snacks around now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nuts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Protein bars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crackers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheese sticks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fruit sometimes if I\u2019m pretending to have excellent self-control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The point isn\u2019t replacing meals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The point is avoiding desperation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because desperate travel food decisions usually involve gas station nacho cheese and regret. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water Keeps Winning Every Argument <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hydration advice is painfully boring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still true though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travel dries you out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restaurant food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coffee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And mild dehydration disguises itself as all kinds of things: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fatigue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hunger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Headaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grumpiness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes you\u2019re not even hungry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re just thirsty wearing emotional confusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I carry water constantly now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do I feel slightly old doing it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Absolutely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do I care anymore? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not remotely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking Changes Everything <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One thing I genuinely love about travel is how naturally active it can be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking waterfronts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exploring downtowns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Museums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bookstores. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Historic districts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You move constantly without thinking:
\u201cI\u2019m exercising.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s the sweet spot right there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hate the phrase:
\u201cBurn off the calories.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travel isn\u2019t punishment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking simply helps balance everything naturally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plus the best discoveries usually happen on foot anyway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You don\u2019t stumble across hidden caf\u00e9s speeding past them in a parking garage looking for the nearest chain restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not Every Snack Deserves Your Attention <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Travel environments put food EVERYWHERE. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hotels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Airports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rest stops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cruise ships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conference centers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Little trays of cookies magically appearing beside coffee stations like edible ambushes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now before eating something, I try asking:
\u201cDo I actually WANT this?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not:
\u201cCan I eat this?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those are completely different questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes the answer is yes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes absolutely not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And honestly? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most random snack food isn\u2019t memorable enough to matter anyway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I Still Believe In Pie <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s settle this right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pie remains important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emotionally important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spiritually important maybe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I no longer treat every dessert opportunity like a legally binding obligation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mostly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now if the pie is homemade in a tiny small-town caf\u00e9 with locals recommending it passionately? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
different conversation entirely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restaurant Portions Have Lost Their Minds <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can we talk about this? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restaurant portions are enormous now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some meals arrive looking capable of feeding an entire fishing charter crew. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And honestly, I\u2019ve become much more comfortable with: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Splitting meals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking leftovers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ordering smaller portions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Skipping appetizers occasionally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not because I\u2019m dieting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because I\u2019d rather feel good afterward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That matters more now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feeling good means: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More sightseeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better mood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More enjoyment overall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A huge heavy lunch at noon can quietly destroy an entire afternoon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned that lesson repeatedly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Usually while sitting motionless somewhere scenic wishing my stomach and I could renegotiate terms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Older I Get, The More I Appreciate Balance <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When I was younger, vacation eating meant:
\u201cDeal with consequences later.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Current Otis prefers feeling reasonably human during the actual trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not perfect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reasonably human. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Balance gives you energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And energy improves EVERYTHING about travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conversations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scenery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hotel mattresses still ruin things occasionally, but balanced eating helps everywhere else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One Bad Meal Means Absolutely Nothing <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This deserves its own section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One indulgent meal changes almost nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One dessert changes almost nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One fish fry doesn\u2019t destroy civilization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travelers make themselves miserable believing:
\u201cWell, I already ate badly today, so the whole trip\u2019s ruined.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
No it isn\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s lunch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Relax. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Move on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guilt has never improved digestion anyway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Best Food Memories Aren\u2019t Really About The Food <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When I look back on memorable travel meals, I rarely remember exact calories or portion sizes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The harbor view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The waitress calling everybody \u201chon.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fisherman at the next table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The smell of fresh bread. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rain tapping against caf\u00e9 windows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The laughter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The feeling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The food matters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the experience surrounding it matters more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Otis\u2019s Roadside Wisdom <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You do NOT have to choose between enjoying food and feeling good while traveling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can absolutely do both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eat the lobster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try the barbecue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Order the pie if it\u2019s truly worth ordering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just stop treating every meal like you\u2019re preparing for hibernation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Eating well while traveling isn\u2019t about restriction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s about intention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enjoy local specialties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stay active naturally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drink water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carry snacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Listen to your body once in awhile instead of ignoring it like an old dashboard warning light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And most importantly\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
remember why you traveled in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scenery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conversations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The roads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The caf\u00e9s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The stories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The food is part of the experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A wonderful part. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it\u2019s not the ONLY part. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal isn\u2019t returning home having eaten perfectly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal is returning home with good memories, decent energy, and maybe one truly excellent pie story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honestly? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That sounds like a pretty good trip to me. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I didn’t hit the road to count every calorie. I hit the road to make…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":545,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deals-here.com\/dougsdigitallibrary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deals-here.com\/dougsdigitallibrary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deals-here.com\/dougsdigitallibrary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deals-here.com\/dougsdigitallibrary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/545"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deals-here.com\/dougsdigitallibrary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=566"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/deals-here.com\/dougsdigitallibrary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":568,"href":"https:\/\/deals-here.com\/dougsdigitallibrary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566\/revisions\/568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deals-here.com\/dougsdigitallibrary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deals-here.com\/dougsdigitallibrary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deals-here.com\/dougsdigitallibrary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}