How to eat healthy on vacation!

Today’s post is all about how to maintain your diet while traveling. If you’ve ever been at the mercy of airports or vending machines, then you know it can be quite a task finding healthier options. Food courts, ball parks and chain restaurants all seem to cater to unhealthy diets rather than to those who care about what they put in their body. However, with a few simple tips you can remain focused and healthy!

Here are a few things I’ve done to help keep my body happy this past week!

EAT HEALTHY ON VACATION

• PLAN AHEAD – If you know you’re going to be gone all day, scope out the area on Google Maps and try to find some places you can grab healthier meals. For instance, if I’m around a Starbucks I’ll stop and pick up one of their Protein Boxes. They vary by location, but in general they’re filed with things like hard boiled eggs, slices of cheese, grapes, whole wheat bread and peanut butter. It’s not a heavy meal, but it’s definitely enough to hold you over.

• PACK SNACKS  – If you’re against purchasing items on the go, then your best bet is going to be packing snacks to take with you. When my dad and I went to a Yankee game this past Saturday, I knew I wasn’t going to have healthy choices at my disposal. So, I hard boiled some eggs in the AM and took them with me. I also packed an apple, almonds and a cheese stick. I do admit, I had myself a hotdog at the game….because come on it’s the Yankees you gotta have a hot dog 😉 But, because I was armed with healthy snacks, I didn’t give in to the steak fries or buttered popcorn.

• TRACK YOUR CALORIES – If you absolutely cannot find healthy options, your best friend will be a calorie counter app like MyFitnessPal. With this app you can search meals at restaurants to see how many calories they are. That way you can choose a lower calorie meal that won’t totally destroy your dieting efforts. Also, beware of restaurant salads, some of them contain more calories than a Big Mac! Always ask for the dressing on the side, and be sure to exclude unnecessary extras like candied almonds or wonton strips.

• ALWAYS HAVE WATER ON HAND – This is a big one for me. I’m constantly reaching for water, so carrying around a bottle of Poland Spring is pretty much second nature to me. Not only does it keep me hydrated, but it also prevents me from having to reach for sugary beverages or soda. Just be sure not to stash your water in your car during warmer months, as the heat can cause the chemicals in the plastic bottles to seep into the water!

• GROCERY SHOP – This may sound like common sense, but utilizing the kitchenette in your hotel room is a great way to guarantee you stay on track. Make a visit to the local food store and stock up on fruits, veggies and healthy snacks. Things like string cheese, greek yogurt, almonds and tuna can easily be stored in your room and can prevent you from having to eat out for every single meal.

• PACK SOME GYM CLOTHES – Even if you don’t wind up using them, at least you always have the option to get to a gym. Vacations are usually busy and hectic, and even the most determined gym rat can find it hard to make time for a sweat session. By packing some yoga pants and running shoes, you can easily take advantage of a rainy day and burn some calories. I’ve been visiting home for the past 8 days now, and sadly I’ve only had time for one workout. But, one is better than none!

• INDULGE A LITTLE – My last tip is to remember you’re on vacation, so go ahead and have a little fun. Haven’t had pizza in a while? Grab a slice. Want that yummy frozen cocktail? Go ahead and order one. As long as you’re not indulging at every meal, having a few cheats here and there will not affect your diet or waistline. I gave in and had that Yankee Stadium hotdog, because I know I won’t get a chance to go to another game for at least a year. It’s not something I do often, but it was delicious and totally bad for me lol.

Being away from home this past week has taught me that clean eating while traveling is hard. America has made terrible eating easy and healthy eating nearly impossible at times. Every single option at Yankee Stadium was a high calorie nightmare – french fries, nachos, cheese steak, and don’t get me started on the soft drinks and beer.

After walking around the entire stadium, I finally came across a small fruit stand that had peaches and oranges and nearly jumped with joy. Let’s hope more stadiums start offering fresh produce instead of processed junk! If you plan on traveling any time soon, I hope my few tips help you stay on track. If you have any other tips and tricks, be sure to share them below!