No More Simba Chips

Eating healthy while on an overland safari is tough. It has nothing to do with the meals that are provided. Breakfast is usually coffee, cereal, and bread with a choice of margarine, jam, or peanut butter. Lunch on the road is usually sandwiches, and dinner is always a hot meal. The only problem is the time in between meals. Breakfast may be at 7 a.m., lunch at 1 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. I, personally, cannot go six hours between meals so I, like most others, snack, and there lies the problem. In Europe and in the States, many healthy snacks are available, but in Africa many of the choices at the rest stops are chips and chocolate. Don’t get me wrong. I love these delicacies as much as the average person, but I have no self control. I cannot simply have one or two Simba chips. Over a long overland drive, I will eat the whole bag. Ice cream is also readily available, and I’m not talking low-fat Skinny Cows, but lots of flavors of Haagen daz. Yes, I do eat the fruit provided on tour and also buy biltong (their version of beef jerky), but overall, I succumb to temptation every chance I get. Next trip, I plan to bring my own snacks—my favorite protein bars—Chocolate Peanut Butter Pure Protein bars. Africa is no different than being at home. You have to keep healthy choices within reach.