Destination Dieting: How to Eat Healthy on Vacation

Destination Dieting: How to Eat Healthy on VacationYou’ve finally booked time off work and you can hear the ocean calling your name. Vacations are meant for relaxation, fun, and indulgence. It’s time to live your best life!

But coming home with a little extra jiggle isn’t part of your best life, is it?

You can have an amazing and indulgent vacation without gaining weight. It’s all about how, when, and what you eat.

On your next holiday, make smart decisions while still enjoying your meals. Here are three tips on how to eat healthy on vacation.

  1. Keep Healthy Snacks On-Hand

One of the biggest culprits of unhealthy eating is waiting until it’s too late. If you let yourself get so ravenous and hungry that you’ll eat anything, you won’t make healthy decisions.

The key is to never let your hunger drop to dangerous levels. Keep snacks with you wherever you go, from the pool to the excursions.

Some good options are almonds, seeds, dried fruit, and granola bars. Your resort room will likely have one of these options, or you can buy them locally.

Most cruises have extensive snack options for you to bring on excursions. If you want to find great cruise deals and enjoy your next vacation even more, look online first. You can see the menu offered onboard and any promotions happening.

  1. Embrace the Local Markets

You’ll find the freshest fruits and vegetables you’ve ever tasted when you travel. Each destination has a different harvest in season.

Check out the local farmer’s market when you’re on vacation. Learn what the region is known for and indulge in the freshest options.

In Costa Rica, that could be bananas, papayas, and pineapples. In the Mediterranean, that could be olives, fish, and feta cheese.

Eating fresh and local cuisine is almost always healthier than processed and packaged food from the store.

  1. Don’t Look at the Menu

This might seem counter-intuitive. Shouldn’t you look at the menu to find the healthiest dish? Not necessarily.

You can order a delicious meal with the nutritional value you need just by asking for it. Simply ask your server for what you want. It could be a protein on greens or a protein with a side of vegetables.

Maybe you’re treating yourself to pasta. Ask the server for half the portion on your plate and the other in a takeout container.

If you’re in a coastal city, ask them what the catch of the day is. Find out what they recommend from the menu, so you know you’ll be getting an excellent meal.

Still Wondering How to Eat Healthy on Vacation?

Vacations are meant for relaxation, adventure, and enjoyment. A big part of that enjoyment is eating mouth-watering food and trying local dishes.

But you don’t have to come back from holiday with more weight than you went with. Simply follow the tips above on how to eat healthy on vacation. Then, check out the other healthy-eating tips on our Nutrition blog.