Guest Blogger Cole Millen: How to Eat Healthy While on Vacation

How to Eat Healthy While on Vacation

Eating healthy while traveling seems impossible because of the unhealthy food choices you come across, yet it isn’t impossible to do. From scarfing down unhealthy snacks and beverages during a flight or eating the greasiest dish at a restaurant, gaining weight is really easy for travelers. But, with a little planning and these easy-to-follow tips, you won’t have to compromise your health while you head out on vacation or travel:

During a flight: Unhealthy snacks, sugary beverages and being sedentary for hours is definitely bad for your health, but how is one supposed to eat healthy when you’re up in the air with no access to healthy meals? Well, it’s very difficult to access health food on a plane, which is why it’s best to eat before your trip. While you’re in the airport, look healthy snacks like granola bars, fruits and nuts and stash them in your carry-on bag. Some airports have salad bars; so if you find one, build a salad with loads of veggies, grilled chicken and legumes.

You can also pack a few protein bars in your carry-on bag so you can eat one if you get hungry during the flight. But, make sure the protein bar is low in sugar and high in protein.

When you’re in the hotel: Having a mini fridge in your hotel room can tempt you to overeat whenever you get the urge, so to prevent overeating, leave the mini fridge key at the reception desk. Go to the supermarket and stock-up on health foods. You can find prepackaged chicken, tuna, whole grain bread, veggie chips and ham that can be combined to make healthful meals and snacks. In fact, you can even travel with a small crock-pot or portable griller so you can prepare your own dishes instead of eating at restaurants.

How to find a healthy restaurant: Realistically speaking, you have to eat at a restaurant at some point during your trip. When searching for a restaurant, avoid all-you-can-eat buffets, Italian food and burger joints. The food at these places is always filled with fat and calories. Instead, try to look for vegetarian places, seafood restaurants or fresh grills. I have found that reading reviews of restaurants and hotels prior to your departure is a great way to remain healthy. On my last trip I found a great site that listed reviews for hotels in Las Vegas regarding all of the different restaurants, amenities and even things to do. This made it extremely helpful to find healthy places to eat even in an area ridden with unhealthy restaurants like Sin City.

How to pick the healthiest dish at a restaurant:  When you’re at a restaurant, don’t select dishes that are described as creamy, fried or breaded. Instead, opt for dishes that are grilled, baked or sautéed. When ordering chicken, make sure it’s skinless because the skin holds numerous calories.

Overall, with these simple tips, you can have a great vacation and remain healthy at the same time!