Everyone loves going on vacations. They let us get away from our regular routine and can be beneficial to our mental wellness. Vacations are the perfect way to experience new scenery and rejuvenate ourselves, but they can also take us away from the healthy eating habits that we have worked to form at home. But traveling doesn’t have to result in unhealthy eating.
The key to staying healthy on vacation is making smart dining choices throughout your trip. By filling up on healthy foods when you can and only eating unhealthy dishes in moderation, you can take a break from your stressful routine, but not from healthy eating. Feel your best during your time away and take care of your body by following these simple tips to improve your nutritional habits on vacation:
Try New Things
Vacation is the perfect time to try new things, but there is no need to feast on each and every new dish that you encounter. Eating 5 or 6 small meals each day is a great way to try foods that you have been looking forward to without overeating.
Portion control is also something to keep in mind. The average restaurant meal today is more than four times larger than in the 1950s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vacation is a wonderful time to enjoy some fresh crab dipped in melted butter, just perhaps not the entire plate in a single sitting.
Keep Food On Hand
Whether you’re at home or on vacation, it is best to limit your restaurant visits. A big way to help with this is to find a local market before you reach your destination. There, you can get healthy meals and snacks to keep in your hotel room so that you can avoid eating out for every meal.
It is easy to bring along shelf-stable foods like granola and popcorn, but many popular summer vacations spots have ample amounts of fresh produce. Take advantage of a local farmer’s market for a more nutritious diet and an even richer vacation experience.
Drink Wisely — or Not At All
Let’s face it: even the healthiest alcoholic beverages still aren’t really healthy. Red wine in moderation has long been thought of as a “healthy” option because it contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that may prevent damage to blood vessels and reduce LDL, the “bad” cholesterol. But even when consuming red wine, excessive drinking is never a good choice.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men. To limit your intake of sugar, carbohydrates, and calories, try to avoid fruity mixers like pineapple juice and sugary soda, as well as high-calorie beers.
A Treat A Day
The best way to maintain proper nutrition, feel great and stay healthy is to consistently keep a balanced diet. One dessert won’t make or break your health. And how can you pass up something like strawberry crepes with fresh cream in Paris?
When it comes to dessert, WebMD recommends limiting your “treats” to once a day. After that, opt for healthier choices to feel better and stay healthier on vacation.
This is your vacation; you have earned the right to indulge! Just be careful not to undo the health gains you’ve made all year long by staying conscious about your food choices during your time away.