Eating Healthy on Vacation by Cole Millen

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Eating Healthy on Vacation
One of the challenges of eating healthy that trips up many people is how to keep the pounds off when traveling on vacation. Even people that do a great job of following a nutritious diet regiment at home can find themselves struggling to stay away from junk food when navigating unfamiliar places and changing schedules. Planning for the stress and differences that a vacation forces upon us is a proven way to reign in the urge to throw up our hands and overindulge.


Healthy Snacks for the Trip
By keeping healthy snacks on hand, it is much easier to resist the urge to eat fast food simply because it is convenient. Airport and roadside restaurants are not known for their healthy menus. That is why it is important to be selective when deciding on a place to eat. By grazing on healthy foods throughout the day like nuts and fruit, your body will never feel starved. When we feel grumpy and hungry from a sugar low, this state often leads to making bad choices out of desperation.
Being hydrated is  also important for good health and also prevents overeating. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go. Drinking a full glass of water before a meal is a proven strategy to keep you from overeating.
Hotel Risks
Just say no to the mini bar in your hotel. You will save money and calories from the junk food that is stashed there. Once you finally arrive at your destination, stop by a local grocery store and pick up plenty of healthy snacks to take to the hotel with you. Be sure to ask hotel personnel that know the area well for restaurant choices for healthy eating options. Be sure to ask them what type of foods the restaurant serves, since that person's idea of healthy might be different from yours.
These risks are very often avoidable by doing a little research prior to booking your trip. In my experience, consumer reviews regarding hotels and restaurants are the best way to truly determine the good from the bad. On a recent trip I found a site that had different reviews for hotels in Las Vegas regarding the amenities offered, restaurants within and nearby, as well as facilities. This was extremely helpful in finding the right hotel for my healthy lifestyle and ultimately led to me booking a hotel with a complete gluten free restaurant within!
Restaurant Tips
Jump onto the Internet in your hotel and look up the menu for several restaurants you are considering before heading out the door. Sometimes the most recommended restaurants are very unhealthy choices. By reviewing the menu ahead of time you can look for the word clues that can shed light on what your true healthy options are, if any. Fried foods are definitely something to be avoided. The word fried may not be used in an entree description. Instead, words like battered, breaded and crunchy may be the tip you need to stay away. Other descriptive words that often mean trouble are rich, creamy, decadent, and buttery.
Once you find a great place to dine, eat a little healthy snack like an apple before heading to the restaurant. This prevents you from gobbling up the bread they bring out before the meal. A snack before your meal will also discourage ordering a fattening appetizer.
While it is impossible to control your environment when traveling, being prepared for these differences can keep you on the right track. The key is to never let yourself get too hungry so that you eat whatever is available in a pinch, which is usually unhealthy fast food. Carrying healthy snacks and water helps. Checking restaurant menus ahead of time also makes practical sense.