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How to Pack for Eco-Friendly and Healthy Travel with Kids
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Time to Read: 10 min
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Time to Read: 10 min
Being a pediatrician and a mom, I know firsthand how tricky it can be to balance healthy eating, sustainable choices, and the inevitable chaos of family travel. But after countless road trips, beach vacations, and even a camping trip gone hilariously wrong (the tent incident... we don't talk about the tent incident), I've discovered that it is possible to have both incredible adventures and a clear conscience.
In this guide, I'm sharing my tried-and-true tips for packing for eco-friendly and healthy travel with kids. Because let's face it, we want our kids to experience the world, not contribute to its problems. And who knows, you might even prevent a few meltdowns along the way.
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Let's be honest, travel often means a parade of sugary snacks, greasy fast food, and endless juice boxes. It's like a nutritional minefield for our little ones! And while the occasional indulgence is okay, research shows that too much processed food and added sugar can lead to more than just a sugar crash. We're talking digestive troubles, mood swings, and even long-term impacts on growth and development.
The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of balanced nutrition for children, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. So, how do we keep our kids fueled with healthy goodness while we're on the move?
The secret weapon? The Ahimsa Circle Trio set of colorful, stainless steel snack containers. Here's how to load them up:
Simply combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Roll into bite-sized balls and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or cooler. These little powerhouses will keep everyone energized and satisfied on your next adventure!
I think we can all agree that those rest-stop hot dogs lose their appeal pretty quickly. And while the occasional diner meal can be a fun adventure, relying on restaurant food for every meal can quickly sabotage healthy habits and strain the travel budget.
Finding nutritious and affordable meals on the road can be a real challenge. Menus are often packed with fried foods, sugary drinks, and oversized portions, making it tough to make healthy choices for our little ones.
The key to mealtime success on the road is preparation:
Remember, mealtime doesn't have to be a source of stress while traveling. With a little planning and the right tools, you can keep your family nourished and happy, no matter where your adventures take you.
Ah, the sun—giver of life and joy... and unfortunately, potential sunburns! But protecting our kids' skin shouldn't come at the expense of our planet's health. Many traditional sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been linked to coral bleaching and harm to marine life. Not to mention, some of these chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and disrupt hormones, particularly in children.
So, what's a sun-loving family to do? Here's how to soak up the rays safely and sustainably:
By making mindful choices about sun protection, we can safeguard our children's health and the delicate ecosystems they'll inherit. It's a win-win for everyone!
We all know how essential a well-stocked entertainment arsenal is for a smooth family trip. But those brightly colored plastic trinkets that seem so appealing in the moment often end up broken, forgotten, or worse, polluting our environment. Plastic toys break down into microplastics, harming wildlife and ecosystems, and ultimately impacting our health too.
Instead of loading up on disposable toys, let's get creative with our entertainment options:
By prioritizing reusable, eco-friendly entertainment options, we can reduce waste, encourage creativity, and foster a deeper connection with the natural world. Remember, the best travel memories are often made when we disconnect from screens and reconnect with each other and our surroundings.
We've all been there, staring at a suitcase that seems to have magically shrunk overnight. Overpacking is tempting, especially when we want our kids to be prepared for every possibility. But let's face it, lugging around excess baggage is no fun. And it's not great for the environment either.
Heavier suitcases mean more fuel consumption for airplanes and cars, leading to increased carbon emissions. And let's be honest, how many of those "just in case" outfits actually get worn? The excess often ends up back in the closet or wrinkled and balled up on the closet floor.
So, how do we strike the right balance between preparedness and sustainability?
By packing lighter and smarter, we can minimize our environmental footprint, simplify our travels, and focus on what truly matters – making memories with our families.
As we've seen, family travel doesn't have to mean sacrificing healthy habits or harming the planet. By making mindful choices about our food, packing, and activities, we can create adventures that are both enriching and sustainable. And the best part? We get to pass these valuable lessons on to our children, who are the future stewards of our planet.
If you're looking for safe, sustainable, and stylish options for your family's mealtime needs, check out Ahimsa’s line of stylish, durable, and sustainable steel dishware.
Now, go forth and explore! May your journeys be filled with laughter, love, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.
And as you continue on the path to a greener household, consider extending your sustainable choices beyond just your kitchen habits. If you're looking for safe and durable dishware for your family, you might consider options like the Ahimsa stainless steel collection. It's a small but meaningful way to make mealtime even more eco-friendly.
Here's to a brighter, healthier future for our families and our planet. Keep making those positive changes, one step at a time!
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.