Don't Fall Off The Wagon, Here's How To Eat Healthy On Vacation
Eating healthy on vacation is one of life’s biggest challenges. However, a few smart choices can help you enjoy delicious meals without compromising all the progress you made! Here are 20 tips for staying healthy overseas.
1. Bring Snacks
Grabbing your own snacks keeps you on track with an at-home routine. You stay healthier and save money in the process, not having to worry about buffets or buying ingredients.
Gardie Design & Social Media Marketing on Unsplash
2. Stay Hydrated
Drink water throughout your vacation—it keeps you hydrated but also prevents unnecessary snacking. Remember that hunger is sometimes mistaken for thirst, so chug some water beforehand.
Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash
3. Protein Bars
Protein bars go a long way on vacation. They help fuel you through exploration and give you energy during the day. They also keep you away from menus or buffets.
Photo by Hybrid Storytellers on Unsplash
4. Look for Amenities
A great way to save money and keep healthy is to cook your own food. Book a hotel room with a kitchen so you can prepare meals the way you want. You can also meal prep a few days in advance, saving you a headache down the road.
Photo by Fred Kleber on Unsplash
5. Eat Breakfast
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day—skipping out leaves you lethargic and hungry, which only causes overeating later on. Even if you indulge in the hotel’s breakfast or go out to eat, it’s not hard to find a healthy option.
Photo by Chris Ralston on Unsplash
6. Avoid Overindulging
All kinds of new cuisine calls your name on vacation, and while there’s no shame in indulging, try to avoid eating too much. Overindulging not only knocks you off progress, but it also causes unpleasant symptoms like bloating and fatigue.
Photo by Jarritos Mexican Soda on Unsplash
7. Peruse Buffets Carefully
Jumping in the buffet line is completely fine! Just be sure you watch what goes on your plate. Buffets have plenty of options to choose from, so pick what you like according to your current routine.
Photo by Ulysse Pointcheval on Unsplash
8. Don’t Restrict Yourself
What’s the poin of being on vacation if you turn your nose at every delicious meal? Live a little! You can still remain healthy and indulge in what your vacay destination has to offer.
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
9. Maintain Routines
Stick to your routine as much as you can. It’s easier to stay on track than it is to veer away and rebuild. Remain on course by prepping food off the menu you built at home!
Photo by Nutriciously on Unsplash
10. Avoid Too Much Alcohol
A margarita here or there isn’t the end of the world, but remember that alcohol comes with empty calories and sugar. Try not to overindulge while you’re there, especially on those colorful cocktails.
11. Plan Meals
Peep menus before heading out. You’ll get a good lay of the land and avoid overindulging in calorie-heavy meals. You can also plan restaurant spots before you vacation, which make it easier to travel around.
Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash
12. Mind the Sauces
Even healthy meals can be doused in calorie-rich sauce or dressing. If you want to keep dressing to a minimum, ask for it on the side so you control how much you have.
Photo by Angela Bailey on Unsplash
13. Shop Local
Homemade meals are nothing without local ingredients—and that includes those prepped on vacation. Whether you buy local ingredients or eat in local restaurants, opt for the fresher stuff. Not only is it healthier, but it’s also better quality.
14. No Fast Food
Fast food seems like the best option at the end of a long day. While it is convenient, try and avoid them. Fast food is packed with calories, sugar, and grease, and it’s a swift way to knock you back a few steps.
Photo by Enis Yavuz on Unsplash
15. Eating Slower
We know the cuisine is good, but don’t wolf down your meals! Eating too fast pulls the wool over your stomach’s eyes, convincing you that you’re still hungry. It also puts you at greater risk of stomach upset.
Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash
16. Find a Balance
There’s no shame in a sweet treat here or a hearty meal there. The best thing you can do is find a balance between your current routine and indulging on vacation.
Photo by Andriyko Podilnyk on Unsplash
17. Go to Local Restaurants
Local restaurants have far fresher ingredients than a fast food joint would. You can rest easy knowing you’re eating the best (and healthiest) stuff on the menu. Chefs or patrons may even direct you where to find your own ingredients!
Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash
18. Reasonable Portions
We’ve all stuffed our faces, but we’ve also all succumbed to the aftermath of huge portions. Too much food deters you from progress and causes all kinds of stomach trouble, so stick to reasonable portions.
Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash
19. Don’t Skip Meals
Breakfast isn’t the only important meal of the day. Avoid skipping any food—you’ll keep your strength up, ward off hunger pangs, and load up on nutrients. Even if you “over ate” the day before, skipping meals the day after won’t help, and is incredibly unhealthy.
Photo by Outcast India on Unsplash
20. Forget the Diet
Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is to just enjoy yourself. You’ve earned a vacation and if you want to reach for that pastry at breakfast, go for it! You can always return to regularly scheduled programming when you get back.
KEEP ON READING
![](https://www.thespicychefs.com/storage/app/media/thespicychefs/2024/7/26/seafood.jpg)
20 Seafood Meals Picky Eaters Will Love
![](https://www.thespicychefs.com/storage/app/media/thespicychefs/2024/7/25/calorie.jpg)
Guilt-Free Eating: 20 Foods With The Lowest Calories
![](https://www.thespicychefs.com/storage/app/media/thespicychefs/2024/7/25/poptarts.png)