RVing is amazing, but just like any other type of traveling, it can throw you off your healthy living game. It makes sense really: you’re out of your routines and distracted by the adventure. Plus, ‘vacation-mindset’ can creep in, letting you slack off on your healthy choices– after all, you’re on vacation! But it really is possible to have a great time on your trip AND keep the trip healthy without depriving yourself of a true vacation.

It all comes down to how you organize your trip.

You diligently pack up the RV and plan where you’re going – doesn’t your health deserve the same level of attention? One reason people struggle with RVing healthily is that they neglect to plan it in from the get-go. Set yourself up for success before the trip even begins with these tips and checklists. Do this and you just might even come back from your travels fitter and healthier than you left!

Move every day, be it on a hike, walk, or bike ride.

TIP 1: Move Every Single Day

Fill your days with fun activities that keep you moving; go for a hike or swim, window shop a touristy downtown, play an outdoor game with your family, or even do an actual workout right at your campsite. When you’re choosing RV parks and campsites, find ones that make it easy for you to stay active. When you get there, choose to walk or bike instead of drive whenever you can. Staying active can easily be incorporated into your vacation without it feeling like a chore. It can even make the trip more fun and memorable.

Physical Activity Checklist:

Athletic shoes Athletic wear Small day hike backpack Bicycle & helmet Outdoor Games: Cornhole, Frisbee, Bocce, Pickleball, etc. Binoculars Yoga Mat Resistance Bands Other workout gear: ie dumbbells, kettlebells, jump rope, etc. Water gear: ie swimwear, kayak, paddleboard, etc.

TIP 2: Make Healthy Eating Part of the Adventure:

Shop local produce and create healthy meals that keep your body fueled.

Planning your meals and snacks ahead of time is one of the best ways to ensure you’ll eat nutritiously on your RV trips. An upcoming trip is a great time to explore new recipes and get out of your cooking comfort zone. When you plan your foods ahead, you’ll only shop for the meals and snacks on your list. Doing so makes eating unhealthy foods much more inconvenient, since you’ll only have the RV stocked with the foods in your meal plan. You can even seek out local farmers markets along your route and stock up on fresh in-season foods. Eating local foods makes the meal seem more special, especially since you’ll know you only have them because you’re right there at that moment. On your long driving days, avoid loading up on gas station junk food by having pre-portioned healthy snacks (like your favorite kind of nuts) or fresh fruits and veggies stocked in the RV. With a little planning and creativity, eating healthy and delicious can be the best part of the trip!

Try one of our custom healthy recipes below:

Crab Cake Eggs Benedict Tandoori Chicken Skewers Grilled Pear Arugula Pizza

Healthy Eating Checklist:

Pre-portioned healthy snacks (nuts, fresh fruits, and veggies, etc) 3 days’ worth of healthy meal plans Groceries for the meal plans List of farmers’ markets on your route

TIP 3: Relax and Sleep:

Ensure a restful nights sleep to keep your body on a healthy rhythm.

While RV trips themselves are a way to rejuvenate and take a break from normal life, they can be stressful and chaotic, too. It’s important to make sure you’re balancing all the trip excitement with some relaxation time. Relaxing activities differ for us all, but whatever it is you like to do that lowers your stress levels, pack it in the RV. You also want to make sure you’re getting ample pillow time on your trips. Sleeping is the foundation for health, but it can get tricky when RVing, especially if you have an uncomfortable mattress. Ask any RVer and they’ll tell you there will be nights in the RV where things out of your control (noisy neighbors, bad weather, etc) will mess with your sleep. When they do, be prepared by having some sleep-helping items ready and waiting in the RV.

Relaxation and Sleep Checklist:

Camp chairs Hammock Headphones Puzzles Arts & crafts Reading material Meditation pillow Earplugs Eye mask Mini-fan or white noise app Lavender essential oil

TIP 4: Take Care of Your Health and Safety:

No one wants to think that during their RV trips they could become sick or injured or put in an unsafe position, but the reality is that mishaps can occur. Packing the RV with first aid essentials will help you stay safe, on track, and prepared for anything on your journey. Odds are you will never use the first aid items, but having them will allow you to enjoy your travels with peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that you are prepared. Because really, nothing is more important than your health and safety.

Health and Safety Checklist:

Pharmacy: prescriptions, anti-inflammatories, allergy, motion sickness, antacids, etc. Topicals: Antibiotic, Anti-itch, sunscreen, bug spray, aloe vera lotion Rain gear: jackets, umbrellas etc Water bottles or backpack hydration system Sunglasses Paper maps Road flares Flashlights and headlamps First-aid instruction manual ACE bandages Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes Sterile gauze pads and adhesive tape Antiseptic wipes Tissues Cotton swabs Hand sanitizer Hot/cold packs Disposable gloves Rubbing alcohol Safety pins Scissors Tweezers Thermometer

Before your next trip, use this packing list to ensure you’re setting yourself up for a healthy trip from the start.