Travelling itself can be frustrating, exhausting and challenging. Add into the mix trying to eat healthy while being a guest in someone else’s country.
Some of us just prefer to “give up and give in” to temptation and deal with it when we get home. If you don’t want to fall into that trap, here are some suggestions that may help you stay healthy, not gain weight and be true to yourself so you can truly enjoy your vacation
- Buy food in advance, prepackage a meal or two to fend off hunger. If you experience delays or changes in your itinerary, you’ll have staples to get you through. I always carry my soy, rice or almond cheese with me, so I can have local chefs make me a healthy pizza when I arrive.
- Make a list of the foods you want to eat on your trip then research restaurants online in your destination country where you know you’ll get what you want. Having a list handy will make your journey easier, especially if you arrive tired.
- Pack Healthy Snacks. One of the simplest healthy snacks a person can take on vacation is an assortment of fruits. Apples, pears, peaches, oranges, bananas, unsalted nuts are all excellent healthy snack choices. Power bars can also be helpful but beware that some of these bars have too much sugar and fat with little nutritional value. Choose bars with ample fiber and protein minus the fats and sugars. Wholegrain crackers are also good idea to take along.
- Buy Healthy Food on Arrival. If your room has a refrigerator you’re in good shape. If not, call the desk and ask for one. Low fat yogurt makes a great healthy snack, lean deli turkey or chicken meat and whole grain breads, plus low sugar fruit cups, applesauce round out a handy snack feast. Buy healthy drinks and take advantage of the complimentary ice most hotels offer. Neighborhood supermarkets and grocery stores are a good source of fresh food and also give you a sense of the local culture as a bonus.
- Take Advantage of the Hotel’s Amenities. Watch the continental breakfasts as they can be alluring with their sugary cereals and fattening pastries, but they usually also have free yogurt, healthy cereals, boiled eggs, and oatmeal. Some hotels may even offer room service options that are healthier than their restaurant. You probably can’t take along your slow cooker unless you’re traveling by car, but you can use a slow cooker to prepare healthy, nourishing meals in your room. Often times determining which of the hotels have the amenities necessary be difficult so don’t be afraid to call head and ask questions before you book.
- Choose the Healthiest Meal You Can at a Restaurant. Going out to eat is a fact of vacationing, but you can still make the healthiest selections in a restaurant. Avoid battered, breaded, fried, or deep fried dishes as well as rich, buttery sauces. Fish is often the leanest meat, especially if it has been grilled, seared, or baked. Bright-colored vegetables are often healthier than their duller counterparts, and all-you-can-eat establishments should be avoided. Buffets are a toss-up because they have food exposed to the elements and self-service and afford the temptation of eating too much. Be sure you read the menus carefully as restaurants often designate certain meals as healthier than others.
The bottom line is that you can stick to your diet, your healthy food preferences and your tastes with a little research and a little planning ahead. The way to make your vacation a dream is to make healthy eating easy and follow our well-traveled tips. One big tip from Cole is to plan your trip using a site called Gogobot. Cole mentioned, “I did a lot of research in the past to determine which hotel was my best bet. I recently stumbled upon a great site that I have been using ever since. They offer consumer reviews ranging from hotels and amenities, to restaurants, to things to do. Their advice was extremely helpful in my most recent trip to San Francisco where I wanted to ensure that my beach body stayed the way I worked so hard to get it.”
Kac Young, a former television director and producer, has earned a Ph.D. in Natural Health and is a Doctor of both Clinical Hypnotherapy and Naturopathy. She is the author of 10 books. Heart Easy is a system of nutritionally sound, delicious meals that promote heart health, long life and taste great. Traditional recipes are turned into heart healthy meals that anyone can make. The health results are outstanding.
Cole Millen, is an avid traveler and foodie who never forgets that life’s best memories are made through real life apprehension of legitimate “experiences.” Follow his blog at Cole’s Mill.