Road Trip Reflections: Mindful Eating on the Journey to Florida

with Mindfulness and Gratitude

Author

Peggy Gleason
March 11, 2025

There’s something about a road trip that stirs up a mix of adventure, nostalgia, and—let’s be honest—

Food Temptations at Every Turn.

As I set off on my journey to Florida by car, I knew that maintaining mindful eating habits would be both a challenge and an opportunity to put my practices to the test.

Long hours on the road, gas station snacks, and the lure of quick bites could easily unravel my usual approach to eating.

This trip also brought unexpected moments of success, valuable insights, and, yes, a few indulgences that reminded me of the power of food memories.

Wins Along the Way

One of my biggest successes on this trip was staying present with my meals.

Instead of mindlessly snacking to pass the time, I paused before reaching for the served snacks, asking myself,

Am I truly hungry?

Or, am I just eating because it’s there? 

That little moment of awareness helped me make intentional choices rather than falling into automatic habits.

I also practiced something that, for years, was a struggle—putting my fork down between bites.

This simple act allowed me to savor each bite and truly appreciate my meals instead of rushing through them.

It was a small but powerful shift that helped me stay in tune with my body’s signals.

Another victory was leaving food on my plate when I was full. 

This may not seem like a big deal, but for someone raised with the “clean your plate” mentality, it’s a habit I’ve had to unlearn.

It felt good to honor my body’s cues rather than eating just because the food was in front of me.

The Sweet Taste of Nostalgia

Now, let’s talk about my shortcomings—because, yes, there were some.

I’ll be honest: I couldn’t resist the old-fashioned candy and freshly roasted pecans at Buc-ee’s. 

If you’ve ever stepped into this roadside wonderland, you know the kind of temptation

I’m talking about!

As soon as I saw those treats, I was transported back to childhood, and for a moment, mindful eating took a backseat to memories of simpler times.

Was it a misstep?

Maybe.

It also reminded me that food is more than just fuel—it’s tied to our history, emotions, and connections.

Instead of beating myself up, I chose to enjoy those treats with intention and appreciation.

The Joy of Shared Meals

One of the most meaningful parts of this trip was the time spent sharing meals with my loving family.

Sitting down together, talking, laughing, and truly engaging in conversation made me pause in a different way.

Rather than focusing solely on the food in front of me, I was fully present with the people around me.

That, in itself, was a beautiful reminder that mindful eating isn’t just about what we eat—it’s about the experience of eating and the connections we cultivate at the table.

Lessons for the Next Trip

This journey reinforced something I already knew: mindful eating isn’t about perfection.

It’s about awareness, making the best choices we can in the moment, and having grace for ourselves when we don’t.

I’ll always have room to grow, but I’m celebrating the progress I made on this trip—one mindful bite at a time.

Have you ever found mindful eating to be a challenge while traveling? I’d love to hear about your experiences!

Reply and let me know what works for you (or what trips you up!).

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