Are you wondering how to eat a healthy breakfast in your hotel room? Want to know what the best foods are at the breakfast bar or what foods you can prepare in your room? It’s something I think about every time we head out on a road trip or do any traveling as a family. The tips and ideas that you’ll find here will work whether you travel for business, alone, as a couple, or as a family.
Traveling as a family is so amazing. We have enjoyed so many road trips that have lasted from 1-2 hours, all the way up to 10,000 miles. I know … that’s a lot. But, taking road trips with your family is a great way to spend time together, to add to your family experience, and to save money on travel.
If you’re familiar with road food, though, you know that it can be pretty unhealthy. It can be so easy to end up eating burgers, sandwiches, fries, and ice cream day after day. Some of this is ok because it’s part of the celebratory experience. However, it’s really not the best approach for every day.
That’s the main reason we always start our days with a healthy breakfast in our hotel room.
Get some great Healthy Living Tips for Beginners on a Budget over Here.
Can You Eat a Healthy Breakfast in a Hotel?
If you’re staying at a hotel, you have three options for breakfast. They are Eating in Your Room, Eating at the Breakfast Bar/Buffet, and Going Out to Eat. It can be a tricky decision to make, but hopefully, you’ll find some helpful information here to steer you in the direction that works best for you.
Are you wondering … How do I eat a healthy breakfast at a hotel? Or, How do I eat healthy at a breakfast buffet?
If so, I’ve got some answers right here for you.
Here are some things to go for first when you’re faced with making healthy choices for a meal in your hotel room.
Healthy Breakfast Foods for Your Hotel Room
First of all, it’s almost always going to be healthier to pack your own food for your hotel room. This will make it easier to stick with your style of healthy eating. Because, when you’re doing the shopping, you’re choosing the menu.
There are a ton of options that will work for breakfast in your hotel room. You don’t even have to stick with traditional breakfast food. You could make something as simple as a great sandwich for breakfast, like peanut butter and jelly, along with some fruit.
Most hotel/motel rooms will have a coffee maker, refrigerator, and microwave at a minimum. If you’re not sure, call ahead and check, or look up your reservation online.
I always take my Instant Pot since it’s so easy to use for cooking and only requires a plug-in. I prefer to make our own food when we stay in motels, so I’ve been practicing long enough to feel like a pro. I found this great carrying case for it, too.
I wrote a couple of articles that you’ll find useful as you navigate eating while traveling.
Related Reading: Easy Road Trip Meal Ideas for Families and Instant Pot Meals You Can Make in Your Hotel Room
Food to Bring for Breakfast in Your Motel Room:
Refrigerated Items
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Yogurt
- Cottage Cheese
- Milk
- Cream Cheese
- Pre-Cooked Turkey Sausage
- Ham Slices
When There’s No Refrigerator
- Cereal
- Applesauce
- Fruit Cups
- Oatmeal
- Fresh Fruit
- Bread
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
If you’re planning to go with the eat-in-your-hotel-room option, check out How to Pack a Hotel Room Cooking Box. It will have you squared away with the things you’ll need for making easy meals.
Get More Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget
Healthy Foods At The Breakfast Bar
Hotels with a breakfast bar or buffet can be a great convenience, but sometimes it’s hard to weed through all the offerings to find something healthy. Unless you are having a cheat day, you still want to go with the low-sugar, nutrient-rich, healthy food options at that buffet. But, what are the best options?
Go For Fruit
Naturally, fresh fruit is going to be one of the healthiest things you can get from a breakfast bar. Many hotels offer at least some type of fruit in their breakfast bar, even if all they have are some bananas or apples.
Fill up your plate or to-go container with fruit first as it pairs well with eggs, yogurt, and cereal. You may want to skip the fruit juice, though. Did you know that fruit juice has more sugar than Coke? I know … surprised me, too. You can read all about that here.
Eggs or Omelets
If the breakfast buffet has either scrambled eggs or an omelet station, that is a good way to get in a filling and healthy breakfast, while also getting your morning’s dose of protein. Sometimes you can even find hard-boiled eggs. This is a better protein option than breakfast meats like bacon or sausage.
Pair some eggs with fresh fruit and you’ve got a tasty meal. For a larger breakfast, try scrambled eggs with yogurt and fruit, or add a piece of whole-wheat toast if it’s available. Some hotel breakfast buffets have an omelet bar, which is great because you can make a healthy omelet with eggs, vegetables, and cheese, which is very filling and gives you control of the nutrition.
Consider Hot or Cold Cereal
There is nothing wrong with choosing cereal for breakfast, but be careful of the options. If the hotel only has cold cereal that’s filled with sugar and preservatives, pass on that and go for the oatmeal instead.
Many hotel buffets offer some cold cereals that are low in sugar. Combine the cold cereal with milk and fresh fruit, add a slice of toast or yogurt, and you’re ready to go.
Oatmeal can be even healthier and you might even find toppings like slivered almonds or honey to drizzle on top.
Watch Your Portions
There’s no need to try everything available. I know first hand how tempting it is to want one of everything, but seriously … who needs all that? Just grab an appropriate amount of food and enjoy it.
Avoid These Foods
There are also some breakfast foods to avoid if you are trying to be healthy while traveling. For example, take a pass on the bagels and cream cheese. Bagels are really heavy in carbs. It probably goes without saying that donuts, danishes, and muffins are loaded with sugar, carbs, and fat — the deadly trio.
Don’t Be Tempted to Go Out
When you know how to eat a healthy breakfast right in your hotel room, you’ll be so much happier.
It may be very tempting to go out for breakfast when you’re traveling, but it’s completely unnecessary. When you eat out, you really don’t get to control the portion sizes, it’s very costly, and it’s also time-consuming. Don’t you want to get on with your day’s adventures? Stick to your hotel and you’ll have a great breakfast.
Don’t Run Out For Fancy Coffee
All those fancy coffees are delicious, yes. But, they are loaded with calories and are very expensive. Most hotels will have free coffee in your room, lobby or at the breakfast bar. Choose one of those instead of going to the local Starbucks.
As you can see, there are lots of choices when it comes to eating breakfast in a hotel room or at the breakfast bar. Be sure to plan ahead and you’ll be ready for a nice breakfast.
