Eating Healthy On Vacation Isn't Impossible

Giving in to your urges and eating to crave desires on vacation is a temptation that snares many people, yet following a few tips can help travelers enjoy healthy vacations. Following a few tips can help vacationers have healthy yet enjoyable vacations. Buying food in advance, knowing which foods to eat, and ordering the healthiest meals in restaurants can increase the healthiness of vacation experiences.

Pack Healthy Snacks

Snacking is one of the prime pitfalls of vacationing, but taking healthy snacks aboard a plane or in the car can eliminate unhealthy snacking. One of the simplest healthy snacks a person can take on vacation is an assortment of fruits. Apples, pears, peaches, oranges, and bananas are all excellent healthy snack choices. Power bars can also be healthy snacks, although consumers have to be label-savvy. Some of these bars have too much sugar and too little nutritional value, but the health-conscious consumer may be able to find bars with decent fiber and protein content without all the fats and sugars. Wholegrain crackers are also good healthy vacation snack foods.

Buy Healthy Food on Arrival

How much a vacationer can store will depend on how much and what type of storage space is available in the room; having a refrigerator and/or microwave can open up some possibilities. Yogurt is often a great healthy snack, especially if it is low fat. A refrigerator can also chill healthy drinks as well as sandwich makings that will be healthier than many restaurant alternatives. Even without refrigerators, travelers can still buy healthy drinks and take advantage of the complimentary ice most hotels offer. Fruit cups are also good options; applesauce cups may also be healthy, although consumers will need to make sure they are not buying cups with too much sugar.

Take Advantage of the Hotel’s Amenities

Travelers need to know what sorts of healthy amenities their hotels offer. Continental breakfasts can be dangerous with their sugary cereals and fattening pastries, but they can also have free yogurt, healthy cereals, boiled eggs, and oatmeal. Hotels may also offer room service options that are healthier than their restaurant counterparts. Some hotels may have policies against cooking in the room, but others would not object to a guest using a slow cooker to prepare healthy, nourishing meals in room. Often times determining which of the hotels have the amenities necessary be difficult. I did a lot of research in the past to determine which hotel was my best often. I recently stumbled upon a great site that I have been using ever since. The site is called Gogobot and they offer consumer reviews ranging from hotels and amenities, to restaurants, to things to do. This 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.

Choose the Healthiest Meal at a Restaurant

Going out to eat is more or less inevitable while vacationing, but savvy consumers can still make the healthiest selections in a restaurant. Health-conscious diners should 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 dishes should be avoided. Buffets are a toss-up as they present the option of eating too much yet also often include healthy dinner options. Diners should also pay careful attention to the menus as restaurants often designate certain meals as healthier than others.

As you can see, with a little research and a little planning ahead from helpful resources, it is possible to maintain your healthy lifestyle regardless of what city you are staying in!

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