Monday, July 25, 2016

How to Eat Healthy on Vacation

Summertime is when most people take vacations, and they can be a fun experience for the whole family. But if you’ve recently dedicated yourself to eating healthier and exercising, a vacation can turn from something you look forward to into something you dread because of the possibility of undoing your progress by eating unhealthy foods.

While vacation destinations are full of tempting cuisines and treats, you don’t have to begin your trip with a negative outlook. Instead of fearing the restaurants you might encounter, embrace them! It’s completely possible to enjoy yourself while eating healthy on vacation, especially when you follow these tips.

Plan to eat healthy in advance

Once you’ve entered the mindset of staying healthy on vacation, the first step is to prepare. Before your vacation begins, map out the area where you’ll be staying so you can find the healthiest food options in advance. This way, whenever you get hungry, you’ll have healthy options you know you can go to. This will help prevent you from straying to unhealthy restaurants because you don’t know of any alternatives.

Bring your own food

Bringing your own snacks and food not only helps you stay on track, but it’s more economical, too! You can save a lot of money by packing simple snacks to eat during the day rather than going out to a local store and buying some. Make sure to pack plenty of non-perishable goods like pretzels, low-sodium crackers and delicious protein bars. If your trip is relatively short and the destination is easy to get to, add some fiber-filled fruits and veggies to help keep you fuller for longer!

Eat healthy off the menu

It’s extremely likely that at some point, no matter how much food you pack in advance, you’ll be eating at a restaurant. When you find yourself looking at a menu that strays from your healthy preferences, try ordering one of the lighter meals. That way, you can still enjoy the local food offerings without all the guilt. Or, if you simply can’t resist that famous but calorie-dense dish, compensate by eating less than what you regularly would. This can be done by sharing with someone else, ordering a smaller portion or taking some home for leftovers.

Walk whenever you can

The good thing about taking trips is that you are going to be out and about, exploring the area and embracing the culture. This gives you ample opportunity to walk and burn off calories, which then allows for more wiggle room when it comes to what you can eat. Whenever you have a chance to walk somewhere instead of taking a taxi or bus, do it! And don’t forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Indulge occasionally

Of course, the most important thing to remember is that you are on vacation! It’s completely fine to splurge occasionally, so don’t be discouraged if you find yourself chowing down on a pizza or dessert. Eating unhealthy meals every so often won’t deter your progress. In fact, allowing yourself to have occasional indulgences can actually help you lose more weight! If you don’t feel deprived, you are less likely to binge eat later on. Just make sure not to overeat, and listen to your body when it tells you it’s full.

Vacations are meant to be enjoyed, so if you have a trip coming up, remember to eat thoughtfully but also don’t be afraid to let loose and have fun! Everyone at Bariatric Direct would love to hear about your vacations and delicious food experiences, so comment below and let us know what has been on your plate this summer!