Eating Healthy While on Vacation

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While on vacation, it is tempting to throw all restraint aside. Huge portions seem to be the norm at many restaurants and it is tempting to throw caution to the wind by ordering butter-laden sauces and full-fat salad dressings that might rarely cross your dinner table at home. Most of us have experienced those post-vacation blues when we step on the scale and cringe as the number flashes on the screen.

So, how do we avoid these inevitable pitfalls while still enjoying our vacation? Here are a few tips and tricks that have kept us on the straight and narrow while traveling.

Do it yourself:
We often try to stay in places that offer a kitchen, or at least a fridge, so that we can make several of our meals. With a couple of bags of cereal, a selection of fresh fruit, and a gallon of milk, breakfasts are taken care of for the trip. Pop out to the grocery store and pick up a loaf of bread, some deli meats and cheeses, a couple of condiments, and some lettuce and cucumber. You will have sandwiches perfect for packing to the beach or on a hike. Cooking for yourself gives you more control over what goes into your food than eating out meal after meal. It's a lot easier on the pocket book, too.


Snack bags:
While you're at the grocery store or the nearest warehouse store, such as Costco, pick up some healthy snacks, such as baby carrots, granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit. Divide them into resealable kitchen bags and pack a few them along on your day trips. Having healthy snacks close at hand help curb those impulse buys of French fries and candy bars.

Hydrate:
When my kids start to feel hungry within an hour of our last meal, I hand them the water bottle. I find that, often, thirst can disguise itself as hunger and a quick hydration stop can do the trick. Carry along water and low-calorie drinks without caffeine, such as Crystal Light. Check out Crystal Light's variety of flavors that are sure to appeal to your family.



Indulge a little:
You're on vacation! A little bit of indulgence is in order. If you allow yourself and your family to snack on the occasional treat, no one will feel deprived (and cranky). You are far more likely to be content with healthy snacks if you know there is an ice cream cone in your near future.


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What is your best tip for eating healthy while on vacation or away from home?

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