Going on a vacation is something most people look forward to. It’s a time to relax and forget busy schedules and piles of paperwork. However, it’s also a time when people forget their good eating habits. With a care-free mindset and the desire to indulge in pleasures, it’s easy enough for one to load up on extra calories and unhealthy substances. If you’re planning to get some sun, sand and sea here are a few tips on how to eat healthy while on vacation.
Plan Ahead
Before you actually get to your destination do a little research as to where you’re getting your meals and what type of food they serve. A lot of people usually end up fast food like burgers and french fries as it is more convenient or they simply do not know where to find restaurants that serve healthy meals. If you’re staying in a hotel that has a mini kitchen or refrigerator, stock up on oatmeal, whole wheat bread, fruits and veggies that you can grab and munch on.
Pack Healthy Snacks
When you’re travelling, it’s often difficult to find something healthy and more often than not people will opt for a bag of chips or a burger. To prevent this from happening, bring along an apple or a tuna sandwich.
Customize Your Meals
Though restaurants serve up appetizing meals, usually these dishes are loaded up with fat and sugar to make them tastier. To keep your meals healthier, ask the cook to limit the salt or butter. Also ask if you can have smaller portions as restaurants usually serve portions that are 25% more than you should consume. If not you can split the dish with a friend if you don’t want to leave food half-eaten. Or you can pack half of your meal in a to-go container so that you are not tempted to eat the whole meal in one sitting.
Don’t Forget the Fruits and Vegetables
With all delicious fried and baked delicacies displayed, it’s easy to forget our greens. Make it a point everyday to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables. You can buy from stalls or order a dish from a restaurant.
Always Bring Water Along
Chances are you’ll be doing a lot of walking when you’re sightseeing. Once you get dehydrated, it’s easy to opt for a soda or highly sweetened fruit juice that can be easily bought in a convenience store. To prevent having to resort to these high sugar drinks, always have a bottle of water with you.
Don’t Splurge
It’s easy to indulge yourself when you’re on vacation. If you don’t want to consume extra calories, resist the temptation to eat when you’re not hungry. If there is a dish or food that you want to try, wait until its lunch or dinner time or you can buy it and reserve it as a snack when you get hungry. If some of these foods are impossible to pass over or delay, allow yourself some leeway and treat yourself to one delicacy per day. And as much as possible, just try sampling them instead of eating whole portions.
