I am on vacation right now and realize that I let myself indulge in foods that I won’t usually eat when I’m away. Do you do this? I normally stay away from all white sugar, dairy (from cows) and gluten, but for some reason that I can’t actually justify, I eat these foods when I’m away. What’s the big deal? Well…. cow dairy actually gives me stomach cramps because I can’t digest it properly and gluten causes inflammation in my body which results in sore joints, especially in my hands. Sugar, well that just makes me crave more sugar, so I avoid it in general.
For some reason, when on vacation, I choose to eat whatever I feel like. This is awesome! …. For the first day. Then I begin to feel like CRAP! Poor food choices and the huge portion sizes that come with eating out at restaurants make for some serious regrets. I am now on day 3 of vacation and have had enough! I NEED to get back to the way I normally eat. My body is rebelling! So, off to the local grocery store we went to pick up some healthy dinner options. I feel SO MUCH better after eating just one clean meal. We stocked up on healthy snacks and breakfast items so we can eat most of our meals in our room. I’m feeling much better about the rest of my vacation, now that I have the food sorted out.
When you are travelling there is no need to indulge at EVERY meal. There are lots of healthy options out there at restaurants, resorts, hotels, etc. Here are some tips to make your next vacation a little healthier:
Before you leave home:
At the hotel/suite:
Restaurant dining:
I hope this information will help keep you on track on your next vacation. I already feel much better, even though the symptoms caused by mis-eating the past 2 days will linger a few more days. I have the rest of our meals planned, healthy snacks and breakfast foods in the fridge. I have mineral water chilling too so I can rehydrate and replenish my electrolytes (it’s 104F here!!!!!!). I’m getting back on track, which is GREAT! I’m NOT beating myself up about my poor choices these past few days; INSTEAD I am recognizing how my body is feeling and DECIDING to change how I am treating it.
It IS possible to enjoy your vacation while still eating healthy. Safe travels….
For some reason, when on vacation, I choose to eat whatever I feel like. This is awesome! …. For the first day. Then I begin to feel like CRAP! Poor food choices and the huge portion sizes that come with eating out at restaurants make for some serious regrets. I am now on day 3 of vacation and have had enough! I NEED to get back to the way I normally eat. My body is rebelling! So, off to the local grocery store we went to pick up some healthy dinner options. I feel SO MUCH better after eating just one clean meal. We stocked up on healthy snacks and breakfast items so we can eat most of our meals in our room. I’m feeling much better about the rest of my vacation, now that I have the food sorted out.
When you are travelling there is no need to indulge at EVERY meal. There are lots of healthy options out there at restaurants, resorts, hotels, etc. Here are some tips to make your next vacation a little healthier:
Before you leave home:
- Pack some protein bars - healthy options are scarce when you are travelling so arm yourself with some healthy options.
- Research where you are going - look for healthy eating options: restaurants, grocery stores, health food stores or local farmer’s markets - so when you get to your destination you are ready to set yourself up for healthy eating.
- Do some planning - meal planning is still a good idea while on vacation. If you LOOSELY plan on meal times, snack times, etc. before you leave - you will have an idea of what obstacles may be in the way of eating healthy BEFORE you go. Planning is key, even more so, when on vacation.
At the hotel/suite:
- Book a room with a kitchenette - you can prepare breakfast and have healthy snacks on hand.
- Hit the local grocery store - (doesn’t have to be Whole Foods) pick up some fruit or veggies and some hummus and whole grain crackers. Stock up on water too.
Restaurant dining:
- Split a meal - portion sizes are out of control! Save food AND CALORIES by sharing entrees.
- Skip the appetizers - most appetizers are LARGER than what a HEALTHY portion should be. If you have an appetizer AND a meal, chances are you are eating the equivalent to 3 or 4 healthy portions of food!
- Skip the entree - again this is because portion sizes are out of control. Choose EITHER an appetizer OR an entrée (split between 2 people)
- Avoid ANYTHING “All You Can Eat" - this is just an invitation to overeat. Trust me, nobody feels good after eating THAT much food!
- Dessert or not dessert? Trust your gut on this one - chances are you really want dessert, but feel like you shouldn’t – LISTEN to the little Angel on your shoulder on this one and SKIP dessert. A good rule would be to never eat dessert at the same place you eat dinner - chances are you won’t feel like eating it by the time you figure out another place to go for dessert.
- Ok, you found a place to go…. now what? SPLIT IT! Yes, order ONE thing with 6 forks (or however many people are there). Most people feel sated after ONE BITE and just keep eating more because it is sitting in front of them. Another option is to order the Berry Bowl - most restaurants have a fresh fruit option. At least you will be eating NATURAL sugar versus the processed, high fat, sugary option.
- Increase your WATER intake - aim for at least 2 litres per day.
- Have some TEA - green tea will give you some caffeine without the jitters of coffee. I love MATCHA tea because it gives me tons of antioxidants and a long-lasting boost of energy.
- If you must have coffee - limit it to the morning and ONE cup. Need a pick-me-up in the afternoon? Opt for tea instead.
- Drink mineral water - rehydrate with natural electrolytes found in mineral water. Avoid “Gatorade-like” drinks, which are mostly sugar and chemicals.
- Indulge - a LITTLE - vacations should be remembered, so go easy on the alcohol - alcohol is basically just empty calories that may make you feel crappy the next morning.
- Drink WATER - every alcoholic beverage you drink have one extra glass of water to stay hydrated and avoid hangovers.
- Limit alcohol to the evening - you may not sleep very well (alcohol is a stimulant) BUT drinking all day at the pool may seem like fun, however all that sugar and empty calories can add up quickly.
I hope this information will help keep you on track on your next vacation. I already feel much better, even though the symptoms caused by mis-eating the past 2 days will linger a few more days. I have the rest of our meals planned, healthy snacks and breakfast foods in the fridge. I have mineral water chilling too so I can rehydrate and replenish my electrolytes (it’s 104F here!!!!!!). I’m getting back on track, which is GREAT! I’m NOT beating myself up about my poor choices these past few days; INSTEAD I am recognizing how my body is feeling and DECIDING to change how I am treating it.
It IS possible to enjoy your vacation while still eating healthy. Safe travels….