Going on vacation is always a nice break from your normal, everyday life. It gives you the chance to relax, recharge, and forget about your responsibilities for a few days. Routines and habits are there for a reason, though. Many of them are keeping you healthy and energized. One thing that is bound to tempt you on just about any trip you take is food.
From beachside ice cream stands to the hotel bar or the “best burgers in town,” there are plenty of unhealthy foods beckoning you while on vacation. Maintaining healthy eating habits can feel impossible on vacation, but there are ways to stay on track. Here are five tips for eating healthy on vacation.
Start Your Day With Greens
Starting your day off with greens might sound difficult when you have breakfast buffets and cute brunch spots tempting you. This is where a greens powder comes in handy. A green drink mix contains vegetables and fruit to get your day started off right. You simply mix the powder into a glass of water in the morning and fuel your body with essential vitamins and minerals.
Another great thing about greens powder is the variety of flavors available. If you’re somewhat picky and don’t love the taste of vegetables to begin with, these types of powders are a great solution. When you hear ‘greens powder,’ you might just think, ‘vegetable juice.’ But if you don’t like that earthy greens taste, opt for another flavor. Pineapple, blueberry acai, peach, and more are all options.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
While we’re on the topic of starting your day with greens, let’s talk about another important morning ritual: breakfast. Just because you have greens in the morning doesn’t mean you should skip the most important meal of the day. If you’re trying to be healthy, eating breakfast is important for a number of reasons.
For starters, breakfast is the first meal that you eat after a full night of sleep. It’s crucial that you use this time in the morning to fuel your body for the day. It breaks that fasting period and replenishes your supply of glucose so that you’re energized and alert throughout the day. Various studies have shown that the benefits of eating breakfast also include better weight management and reduced risk of diseases. Whole, unprocessed foods are best; also, try to eat some combination of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy.
Pack Your Own Snacks
On vacation, it’s easy to eat more than usual or more than your standard three meals a day. From spotting cute cafes to scoping out street food vendors or enjoying food at a resort, temptations are all around. This is why it’s imperative that you’re prepared and bring your own snacks on a trip. This way, you ensure that your hunger won’t get the best of you.
Bring snacks with you that normally satisfy your cravings but that are also on the healthier side. Are you a sweets person? Pack snack bags of chocolate-covered nuts. Or do you prefer salty snacks? Bring a calorie-friendly popcorn. Having something to munch on throughout the day will make eating healthy on vacation much easier because it curbs your appetite, preventing overeating at your next meal.
Track What You Eat
Tracking what you eat might sound like a pain. It’s hard to remember to track everything you consume throughout the day. And even if you do remember, it can be exhausting. Fortunately, there are numerous food-tracking apps that make hitting your goals a lot easier. There are a variety of apps available, and the right one for you will depend on your health goals.
Some apps help you track macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates), while others help you practice mindful eating. Consistently using an app during the entirety of your vacation might sound difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Even if you’re new to a food tracking app, set goals that keep you motivated. Maybe your goal is simply to track what you eat every day. Or, you can set some health and fitness goals within the app itself. Either way, setting goals will make you excited to routinely use your app each day.
Pro tip: Try to somewhat plan what you’ll be eating ahead of time. Research restaurants that will accommodate your dietary needs. If you’ll be on your own for a lot of meals, plan grocery orders in advance. Or, ask your hotel what kind of food they offer. Being prepared is key!
Stay Hydrated
Lastly, no matter where you’re headed on your upcoming vacation, make sure that you stay hydrated. Water is essential for life, but there are also several other health-related benefits to drinking water. Staying properly hydrated can contribute to your health and wellness goals. It helps with weight management, energy levels, and more.
Water is also important if you want to reap the benefits of all the healthy eating you’re doing. Water plays a key role in so many of the body’s functions. When you eat a healthy diet, water is vital because it delivers nutrients to the body’s cells, gets rid of waste, and boosts metabolism.
Of all the things you plan to do on a trip, eating healthy is likely not one of them. Even if you’re committed to staying on track, figuring out how to do so on vacation can be tricky. But if you form healthy habits now, plan ahead, and use tools like food-tracking apps, you can vacation worry-free. Eating healthy isn’t about restricting yourself; it’s a lifestyle choice. And you can practice a healthy lifestyle from anywhere in the world!