Eating Healthy on Vacation
The summer months are the perfect time to squeeze in a family vacation. Too often,
however, many of us return from our travels feeling exhausted and weary from overeating,
trying to log too many miles, sporadic sleep schedules and too little exercise.
Here are a few tips for eating healthy on vacation that will help you and your family
feel great - both on your trip and after you return home.
Eating healthy on vacation tips:
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Pack some healthful snacks for car travel. A small cooler or ice
chest works great to keep beverages and perishable items cool and tasty. Popcorn,
pretzels, pre-rinsed apples or strawberries stored in a re-sealable plastic bag,
bananas, dried plums or raisins, yogurt cups, bagels, vegetable sticks, 100% fruit
juice, whole grain crackers and string cheese are good-for-you snack choices that
are easily transportable.
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Plan meals and mealtimes. Planning meals in advance and carrying
snacks will help to avoid crankiness.
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If you are traveling by plane, drink plenty of fluids before, during and after
your flight. Minimize any caffeine- or alcohol-containing beverages
since these can dehydrate you. Buy your own bottle of water for the flight or fill
a water bottle using a drinking fountain once you’ve passed security.
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Try not to skip meals while you are on the road. When you skip
meals, you are more likely to overeat later in the day and less likely to choose
nutritious foods.
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Bring along family favorites. Restaurant eating can become monotonous
and costly and kids may not always appreciate the unfamiliar menu options. Make
a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up bagels, breakfast cereal, fruit, milk
and yogurt for easy nutritious meals you can put together anywhere.
Staying active on the road
If you are booking your vacation at a hotel, be sure and ask about available fitness
facilities. Many have a pool for swimming laps, aerobics classes, weight-training
equipment and jogging/walking maps of surrounding areas.
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Take a nature walk or hike with the entire family. See who can spot the greatest
variety of birds along the way.
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Take along sports equipment for the entire family. A badminton or croquet set, a
volleyball or Frisbee, snorkeling gear and tennis rackets always add up to fun and
exercise.
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If you are doing a lot of driving, bring your bikes and stop for a ride through
the countryside. Do not forget to pack your bike helmets and sports bottles to carry
along thirst-quenching water.
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Ask your children to "plan" an activity the entire family can do while on vacation:
a kickball game, catch, relay games or tag.
Be sure and pack exercise clothing: walking or jogging shoes, comfortable clothes
and a bathing suit.