Traveling is always
an adventure, and one that my 5 year old daughter, Chloe, always looks forward
to, but tight timeframes, busy schedules and stressful situations can make
healthy eating a challenge, especially with all of the convenient snack options
out there. Staying healthy while traveling is entirely possible, and can even
be easy with a little preparation, so I have rounded up some of my favorite
tips for traveling healthy, and with the help of travel guru Kendra Thornton,
we will make sure you are well-equipped to make your next adventure as healthy
as possible.
Battle the Convenience Store Snacks
Whether
traveling by plane or car, convenience stores are a black hole of bad snacking
habits. A great way to avoid unhealthy snacking while on the road is to pack
your own! To-go peanut butter cups with baggies of veggies like apple slices,
carrots and celery sticks will keep everyone satisfied as they get hungry, so
the urge to binge on salty chips and candy once you stop is kept in check. If
you are a salty snacker, make some trail mix together at home before you leave,
so you can control what goes into it, choosing ingredients like nuts, fruit
chips and raisins. Our nubblers from Green
Plate Foods are a perfect on-the-go healthy fruit snack, deliciously packed
with all natural, nutrient-rich ingredients in convenient bite-sized portions.
It
can be a hassle to pack food items for airport security, so if cravings strike
at the airport, opt for some healthier nut medleys and dried fruit from the
airport shops. Healthy alternatives are there if you look!
Research Restaurant Options
Take
some time to look around for some restaurants in the city you’re visiting that
have healthy menu items or use clean, organic ingredients, especially if you
have any dietary restrictions or food allergies.
It is easy to indulge while on vacation, so think about portion sizes and be
careful not to over-eat.
Experience the Local Flavor
Local fairs and
farmer’s markets are a fun way to experience the culture and try some of the local flavor
in smaller portions, while getting some fresh air and exercise.
Home Away from Home
If you’re not staying
with family or friends, consider renting a house or staying in a hotel with a
kitchenette so you can pick up some groceries around town and make your own
meals. This is also a great way to save a few dollars!
Don’t forget to take
advantage of walking to your destinations whenever possible, it’s an easy, free
and simple way to stay feeling fit. We also love traveling to cities with bike share programs or an abundance of
bike rental shops.
Kendra’s Tips for
Health on Vacation
As a mom, I focus on keeping my family healthy. At home, we
eat healthy meals, and I always pack healthy snacks
for the kids to take with them to school. We exercise together and
individually. When we go away on vacation, our routine changes, but we always
manage to keep our healthy habits alive wherever we roam. Here are a few tips
I’ve learned for having a healthy vacation together:
Fitness-Friendly
Accommodations
Before leaving on vacation, I do some research to find a
hotel with good fitness accommodations. I check to see that our hotel has a
well-equipped gym. Some hotels have other fitness options such as in-room
fitness videos, running trails or bike rentals. Once we arrive at the hotel, I
always make sure we have healthy snack options
to help us avoid hitting the vending machines. In-room refrigerators allow us
to bring and store healthy fruits and veggies. Finding a quality gym is
something I researched for our upcoming trip to Orlando. The process proved to
be pretty overwhelming as there are so many places
to stay. There are plenty of resources out there that can make the process
so much easier.
Healthy Eating Out
Eating out will happen when you are on vacation. A lot of
vacation destinations are famous for all-you-can-eat buffets. My family
occasionally visits these, but we are careful to load up on healthy
options first. It’s okay to have a treat while you’re on vacation. If you
eat a healthy salad or some delicious fresh fruit first, you won’t be as
tempted to overindulge in empty calories.
Playing in the Water
Water
sports are a great way to burn a lot of calories. On vacation, there are
plenty of ways to enjoy water sports. My family likes boating activities.
Paddleboats are tons of fun for kids and adults. We also enjoy canoeing or
kayaking. A rowboat ride also helps build those muscles, and all this fun on
the water will help you forget that you’re getting a workout.
Other Active
Adventures
There are all sorts of ways to get exercise while on
vacation. My family usually stays at a hotel with a pool. We enjoy spending
time together at the hotel pool in the evenings. The kids like splashing in the
water, and we come up with fun contests and games. We race and enjoy swimming
under water. When a beach ball is available, other water activities help us
build muscle and endurance.
Wherever you go on family vacation, there are ways to stay
healthy. Get fit by staying active. Eat right. You’ll have a better time
together.
Staying healthy while traveling can be a challenge, but
there are definitely ways to feel good while still treating yourself. I hope
you have a blast on your next summer getaway, be sure to share how you stay
healthy on vacation with us on Facebook or Twitter!
Healthy regards,
Lisa Pounds
