Traveling can be a time for us to try new things; many times, that leads us to new food and drink indulgences. While we may want to enjoy calorie filled treats, it can also be important to try our best to stay on a healthy track while we’re away from home. We’ve come up with some easy tips for staying on track!

Packing your own snacks or healthy favorites

One of the things that might get us into trouble while traveling is the seemingly never-ending snacking that we sometimes do. Often these snacks might turn into meal replacements because they can be easy and quick. We might rationalize thinking that one bag of chips won’t hurt us, but then may find ourselves eating 17 bags of chips throughout the duration of the trip. By packing your own snacks, you can have the opportunity to pick options that satisfy hunger, but don’t come with unwanted calories.

Planning to cook if you have the option

If you have the opportunity, try cooking while you're on vacation. Although we may want to relax when we are away, cooking can become part of that relaxation. Try making a dish that you may have always wanted to try, but never had the time to do so. If you're going somewhere with a vastly different culture, consider shopping at their local stores and make something inspired by their cuisine. If, however, you decide that cooking will never be part of your relaxation regimen, consider doing research before arriving to your destination on restaurants in the area. Consider looking at menus online, if possible. This way you can prepare in advance and plan the types of meals you’d want to have.

Try not to indulge for every single meal

Being on vacation might mean indulging in all types of things. Many times, we indulge by doing fun activities that aren’t available where we live, by spending more money than we usually do, or by eating and drinking things that might not make a regular appearance in our day-to-day lives. Consider indulging in only one meal per day or a few times during your trip. You can still get the fun aspect of consuming a few more calories than normal but may not completely jump off the health-conscious bandwagon.

Exercising

Exercise not only keeps our bodies healthy, it can also keep our minds healthy. If you work out on a regular basis, consider incorporating some type of exercise in your vacation plans. This can mean 15 minutes in the morning before you start your day, or it can consist of a new class you’ve wanted to try but never had the time for. Additionally, perhaps you can find places to dine within walking distance. This not only encourages more movement on your vacation, but it can be a great way to see the location you're staying in!

Eating slowly

Eating slowly can be a habit that we exercise regardless of if we are watching our diet or not. It may take a little while for our stomach to tell our brain that we are full and ready to be done eating¹. By taking our time we can avoid the risk of overeating.  It also can help us to savor the flavors in our food more fully, to help provide a better eating experience overall.

Hydration 

Drinking lots of water can help us to stay healthy and hydrated. Not only can water be refreshing, it fills your stomach similarly to the way food would. By drinking a cup of water before a meal, you can fill some of that space to become fuller faster. Water also has considerably less calories than soda, beer, cocktails, or wine!

Getting back on track when it’s said and done.

Vacation can be a time to treat ourselves. After all, it is vacation isn’t it? However, dedication towards getting back to your regimen when you return home can make an important difference.  It can be easy to reminisce about gelato you had in Italy or fresh crapes you tasted in France but consider jumping back into your pre-trip lifestyle once the fun and games are over!

No matter what your healthy travel plans consist of, consider protecting your travels. Talk to your travel advisor today or visit travelinsured.com.

1.     https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/features/slow-down-you-eat-too-fast

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