8 Foods to Reduce Stress While Traveling

Traveling can be exhilarating, but it can also be stressful, especially when navigating through airports, enduring long flights, or dealing with unexpected delays.

During these times, it’s essential to prioritize self-care, including nourishing your body with the right foods to help alleviate stress and keep you feeling balanced.

Here are eight stress-reducing foods to pack along or seek out while on your travels:

1. Bananas: Bananas are nature’s perfect snack for travelers. They’re rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and reduce the effects of stress hormones. Plus, they’re convenient, portable, and can provide a quick energy boost when you need it most. For those who aren’t big fans of bananas (that’s me), reach for the green bananas. Their firmer texture and more subtle flavor make it easier to eat while you’re driving, sitting on the airport floor, or checking out at a gas station.
2. Dark Chocolate: Who says you can’t indulge while traveling? Dark chocolate, particularly varieties with high cocoa content, can help lower levels of stress hormones in the body and promote feelings of relaxation. Enjoy a piece or two during your journey to satisfy your sweet tooth and calm your nerves. I recently found Wicked Bold Chocolate — a family-owned chocolate manufacturer that is committed to. crafting chocolate without artificial flavors, dairy, or any other nonsense — and I am hooked on their 70% Sea Salt Dark Chocolate.
3. Nuts: Packed with healthy fats, protein, and magnesium, nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews are excellent stress-busting snacks for travelers. Magnesium plays a crucial role in regulating mood and reducing anxiety, making nuts a convenient and nutritious option to keep on hand during your adventures. My go-to mixed nut blend is 365 by Whole Foods Market, Unsalted Deluxe Mixed Nuts which is full of nutritious nuts that make for the perfect snack.
4. Oatmeal: Starting your day with a hearty bowl of oatmeal can help stabilize blood sugar levels and keep you feeling full longer, reducing the likelihood of stress-induced food cravings. Plus, oats contain complex carbohydrates that trigger the brain to produce serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone, promoting a sense of calm and well-being. Currently, I am obsessed with Purely Elizabeth Classic Cinnamon Superfood Oatmeal with Prebiotic Fiber. This oatmeal is absolutely delicious! It’s packet with superfoods to help keep you satiated — plus it’s available in single-serving packets, making them easy to stash in your backpack or in your RV.
5. Leafy Greens: Incorporating leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard into your meals can provide a wealth of stress-relieving nutrients, including magnesium, vitamin C, and folate. These nutrients support the body’s ability to cope with stress and promote overall emotional well-being, making greens a valuable addition to your travel diet. Typically, I reach for a wrap or a salad topped with my protein of choice to incorporate more leafy greens into my diet while on the road.
6. Salmon: Fatty fish like salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, and decrease anxiety. Whether grilled, baked, or smoked, incorporating salmon into your meals while traveling can help keep stress at bay and support a calm and focused mind. I’ll admit, I’m not great at eating filets of salmon while on the road. But I do enjoy a great tuna and salmon sushi roll which definitely does the trick.
7. Greek Yogurt: Packed with probiotics, protein, and calcium, Greek yogurt is a nutritious snack that can help support gut health and reduce stress. Research has shown that the gut-brain connection plays a significant role in regulating mood, making foods rich in probiotics an essential part of any stress-reducing diet. I swap between Chobani and Siggis yogurts depending on how much sugar I want to consume but these days, Chobani Less Sugar Madagascar Vanilla has been a nice middle ground winner.
8. Chamomile Tea: While not a food per se, chamomile tea deserves a mention for its potent stress-relieving properties. Sipping on a warm cup of chamomile tea can help calm the mind, soothe the nervous system, and promote relaxation, making it the perfect beverage to enjoy during your travels. If you’re not a big fan of chamomile, try Tulsi Lemon Ginger tea. This tea is delicious, grounding, and refreshing.

Traveling can be a source of both excitement and stress, but by incorporating these stress-reducing foods into your diet, you can help support your body and mind during your journey. Whether you’re exploring new destinations or embarking on a business trip, nourishing yourself with these nutrient-rich options can help keep you feeling calm, balanced, and ready to take on whatever adventures come your way. Safe travels!