Summer (aka festival season) is now in its final swing, but the fun isn’t over quite yet – there’s still a number of great festivals coming up in the next few months, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll be trying to cram in as much of the outdoor fun as you can before the winter hibernation takes over.
Festivals are awesome. The come down? Not so much. After a weekend of fun and frivolity, getting back to work on Monday can be a pretty rude awakening. The combination of food truck dining, alcohol and lack of sleep can really knock you for six, especially if you’re used to living relatively clean.
But it doesn’t need to be quite so bad. To get you through the last month of summer, we’ve compiled the best of our healthy festival hacks:
Loosen up a bit
Life is about balance, so don’t ruin all your festival fun by stressing too much over a couple of days relaxing those health reigns. And, don’t forget that you’re probably getting a fair amount of exercise while you’re enjoying those dance bangers and pitching that tent; the average festival-goer burns around 9,000 calories and walks nearly 15 miles over the course of a weekend, so you can be forgiven for skipping that Saturday morning yoga class.
Fuel your fun
Give your body a solid hit of nutrition in the AM and you’ll set yourself up for a long day of fun ahead! Make sure your breakfast includes plenty of fiber, carbohydrates and protein to keep you energised throughout the day. If you’re eating on site, try a green smoothie and add a tablespoon of chia, or opt for protein rich breakfast bowl. If you’re looking for a DIY breakfast, we love the Aloha Protein Bar Vanilla Almond Crunch, which is packed with protein and fiber for the perfect festival breakfast or energy-boosting snack.
Check your options early
In the battle against terrible (but delicious!) food choices, forewarned is forearmed. Most festivals will list their food vendors on their website in the lead up to the event so you can take a look and have a couple of better-for-you options already in mind. Or, take a few mins when you first get on site to wander the grounds and scope out what’s available. When you’re tired and hungry, the last thing you want to do is be traipsing around aimlessly, reaching for that slice of pizza.
When in doubt, always go with Mexican. Mexican food is the usually the best option if you’re wanting something filling, delicious and somewhat-healthy. It’s an especially good option for those on a plant-based or gluten-free diets with plenty of corn and bean-based options.
Stay hydrated
Simple, but crucial. At festivals, not only are you likely to be consuming alcohol, but you’re also spending a lot of time on your feet and in the sun which can be a brutal, dehydrating combo. While under regular conditions you should be trying to get around 2 litres of water per day, in a festival you should be aiming for even more. Make sure you’ve got a water bottle on you at all times, and try replacing a few of those alcoholic beverages with hydrating coconut water.
