Guest Blog: Don’t Break Your Healthy Eating on Vacation!

Guest blogger: Cole Millen

I have been contacted by Cole Millen, an avid traveler and foodie. Here is a post he wanted to share with us. Thank you Cole for considering my blog.

Don’t Break Your Healthy Eating on Vacation!

Just because you are taking a break and going on vacation does not mean you should take a break from eating healthy. While it can be easy to reach for fast food or high fat snacks, a little planning and savvy thinking can help you to make the right choices when you are on the go!

At the airport:

Airports are full of unhealthy foods but if you look around you can find places with fresh fruit, water, and salads. In fact, use your downtime to walk around your terminal and get a little exercise. Use the stairs instead of the escalators! Get your blood pumping before you are stuck in an airplane for a few hours.

Most importantly, make sure to bring along some healthy snacks of your own that will curb your appetite and keep you from grabbing one of those high in sugar and fat items. These snacks can be dried fruits, vegetables, or even nuts!

At the hotel:

One of the most important parts of your vacation is finding the right hotel. After all, you are living there for the time being. It is important to make sure that your hotel offers the appropriate amenities and services that can accommodate to your healthy lifestyle. I have had trouble with this in the past but found that doing a little research beforehand can go a long way. On my most recent trip out west I found a great site that listed reviews for hotels in Las Vegas regarding not only their amenities and services, but also on the restaurants in the surrounding areas. This made it easier than ever to plan out my trip and to eat right while in and out of the hotel. 

Stop by a grocery store before you get to the hotel to grab some healthy foods. Almonds, fruit, yogurt, and hard-boiled eggs are great for giving you an energy boost before you venture out for the day. Pack a few portioned out snacks and bottles of water in your bag when you head out so you aren’t left hungry and reaching for fried foods or sugary snacks. Also, ask your hotel to not stock the mini bar or to not give you a room service menu. They are there to accommodate you, so let them! Even better, look for places and hotels with a healthy edge before you go. Plenty of hotels now offer gyms, yoga studios, and healthy menus for their guests! Treat your vacation as a mini-spa getaway!

At the restaurant:

Speak up when choosing a place to eat with your group. Try to find a place that has healthier options and scope out their online menu before you go. When in doubt, choose lean protein with veggies for a side. Avoid carbohydrate-rich (and calorie laden) entrees and ask for your dish without heavy sauces or oils. If you’re totally lost, look for entrees that have lots of vibrant colors. Usually foods that are bland colors (whites, tans, browns) are the ones with the most.

calories and fat. Also, be weary of tempting restaurant salads. They can sometimes pack in as many as 1500 calories!

Above all, try to drink lots of water when you travel. Flying and restaurant foods are very dehydrating and can leave you zapped of energy. Also, try popping a multi-vitamin and fitting in a little exercise when you can. It may be tempting to let go of your diet when you travel, but it will likely leave you feeling sluggish and disappointed with yourself. Eating healthy and taking care of your body should be an all time habit, not just when it’s easy.

— Cole Millen

Cole Millen is an avid traveler and foodie who never forgets that life’s best memories are made through real life apprehension of legitimate “experiences.”