Getting Away From It All Without Getting Off Your Diet

Guest post by Cole Millen

You have worked hard to lose weight and get fit in time for summer. However, you may find that the vacation you anticipated threatens to sabotage your efforts. Here are some principles to help you maintain a healthy eating plan:

Driving Without the Drive-Through

Pack healthy snacks and water bottles in a cooler and enjoy them on the road. If time permits, pull off at a rest area, and add some exercise. Boredom is often a problem on road trips which leads to unnecessary eating to pass time. Stick to regular meal times as much as possible instead of making the trip one long grazing session. If all else fails and you must stop at the drive-through, Do Your Best. Skip the fried and high sugar foods and choose a salad. Limit the dressing to a drizzle, and you can still have a decent meal on the road.

Flying Without Crashing Your Diet

Most snack items available in the airport are not good choices. Plan Ahead to bring your own snacks of fruit and nuts. When you have to eat a meal at the airport, Be Aware of which restaurants offer healthy options. Skip the fatty greasy options and find a salad or grilled chicken. Generally speaking, choose the foods that are the most colorful as they tend to offer more nutrition. Even in the airport, you can do your best. If only sandwiches are available, opt for multi-grain breads.

Plan Ahead

Most problems in your vacation health will come from impulses. You may eat something just because it looks good or because you have no other available option. Reviewing the area that you are staying in as well as the hotel and restaurants provided can be pivotal in a healthy vacation. In my recent trip out west, I read reviews from other health minded travelers and managed to find a vegetarian restaurant in the midst of the Las Vegas hotels. Thinking through these scenarios ahead of time and planning for them will ensure success. This will also help to ensure that you aren’t missing meals. You have to constantly be providing your body with the nutrients it needs to keep you running. Your vacation will be much more enjoyable if you have energy for that day at the beach or sightseeing trip. Even when you have planned carefully, there will be some occasions when you have to settle for less than perfect. Find the healthiest option among those offered without sacrificing taste, and eat guilt free knowing you did the best you could.

Enjoying Your Stay Without Guilt

Plan ahead to stay near a health food store where you can stock up on healthy food options. Pack a small crock-pot or blender to prepare your own meals and smoothies from within your hotel room. Also, if provided, the typical continental breakfast is a good opportunity to make the right choices. Many hotels are now offering fruit, hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal and yogurt as options, which are good for long-term satiety. If you must depend on room service, make sure to be very specific within your order. Hotels are usually very accommodating and will try to honor your requests.

Follow these tips on your summer vacation, and you will return refreshed and rested from the inside out.

 

Cole Millen, is an avid traveler and vegan foodie who never forgets that life's best memories are made through real life acquisition of legitimate "experiences."