Going on vacation might seem like the time when your healthy dietary practices have permission to head out the door, but maybe saying “see ya later” to every one of your health-conscious habits is not what you’re all about. Breaking out of your normal routine doesn’t have to mean abandoning all your best food practices. There are some strategies that can keep you sticking to beneficial food choices when you’re travelling. Here are seven (7) ways to make sure you’re not losing sight of your health during your vacation.
- Pack Snacks and Meals
Try to always have some snacks or even meals at hand when you’re planning to be on the road for a while. When hunger strikes, you can turn to the food you have available instead of what’s accessible in the area, which may just happen to be a fast food restaurant or something else offering greasy morsels. Packing your own food keeps you in control of what you’re eating, ensuring you stick to what you know is healthy and don’t end up relying on whatever you can get your hands on to satisfy your rumbling stomach.
- Prioritize Protein and Fibre
When asking yourself what you should pack into your Tupperware and little baggies before leaving your lodgings, settle on anything rich in protein or fibre. Options like nuts, fruits and dried fruits, cheese, hard boiled eggs, trail mixes, and dark chocolates make for great on-the-go snacks. As for meals, obviously a good sandwich or wrap will suit you just fine. You may also consider pasta salads or rice bowls—just don’t forget your fork!
- Bring Water
Always carry at least one reusable water bottle full of water when you’re out and about on vacation. You’re always at risk of dehydration when you’re staying active and exploring the local sites of any travel destination, especially if it happens to be summer and you’re in a hotter, more humid portion of the planet. You’ll be happy you have water under these circumstances. Not only is having water on hand going to protect you from the dangers of dehydration—drinking water regularly staves off hunger by filling up your stomach, plus contributes to your overall good health.
- Choose Accommodations With a Built-In Kitchen
To resist the urge to eat out every night, which may not be the healthiest option (nor the most budget-friendly), choose a place to stay where you have liberal access to a working kitchen. This way, you’ll be able to cook your own meals most of the time you’re on vacation instead of heading to the closest restaurants. Being able to cook your own food means you’ll be able to make smarter food choices and determine exactly what goes into your meals, instead of leaving it up to chance. Visit the nearby grocery store or market and stock up on healthier choices like fruits, vegetables, grains, fresh meats and seafood, and quality dairy. Heading off to your destination’s grocery stores and markets is also a fun way to immerse yourself in the culture.
- Eat Before Your Adventures
Eating in your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb is probably not going to always be an option, considering you’ll probably want to be visiting all the tourist attractions you can. However, you can make sure to fill up before you depart for your next sight-seeing session. Eat whatever you cooked in the kitchen the night before or make yourself a quick sandwich. If it’s early, prepare yourself a healthy, well-balanced breakfast. Eating before you leave will keep your eyes from straying toward the unhealthy options you may come across while traversing the streets.
- Local Street Food Over Fast Food
If sticking to a healthy diet is essential to you when you’re vacationing, it’s important to stick to home-cooked and packed foods as much as possible. However, despite all your best efforts, you may still find yourself hungry while on the road and unsatisfied by whatever you’ve packed in your backpack. In that case, try to seek out local street food vendors and local restaurants instead of fast food chain restaurants. You’ll have more options if you search out street foods and independent restaurants, and you’ll likely be eating locally sourced ingredients and meals cooked with more care.
- Just Indulge a Little, but Not Too Much
Sometimes you’re just going to crave what you’re going to crave. And travelling means coming across dozens of local delicacies and culturally significant dishes, not all of which could possibly be healthy. A lot of the time, the traditional food of your destination includes sugary and buttery pastries, sweet ice creams, deep-fried masterpieces, and lots of oil. You shouldn’t say “no” to every treat and greasy meal you come across on your travels. This is no way to live, and you won’t be able to stop thinking about the less-than-healthy yet tasty offerings you passed up on in the name of health. The key is to not have the oily, sugary, and buttery make up the bulk of your vacation diet.
Luke Miles | Contributing Writer
