Summer is coming and you know what that means for many of you? Vacations! One thing many people have trouble with is keeping a healthy diet while on vacation. Many individuals let loose and end up falling off the wagon, something that can be hard to come back from for some people. Cole Millen, an avid traveler and foodie, has provided this article to share the tips and tricks that he has learned in his experiences of traveling and staying healthy on the road.
Critical Tips to Maintain Your Diet on Vacation
When a dream vacation is planned, the motivation to get fit is definitely increased. With all the hard work that accompanies dieting and weight loss, maintaining a healthy diet while on your vacation is critical. As you read this article, you'll obtain tips about how to maintain a healthy diet while traveling.
When Flying
One of the main issues dieters will face when traveling is airplane food. Airplane food is meant for convenience, is generally low in nutrients, and is often loaded with preservatives, sodium, and fat. Avoiding these foods is essential in maintaining your weight loss. Ideally, eating a healthy meal before flying is best. Packing light, healthy snacks that are lean and protein-rich, like nuts and turkey jerky, will provide energy and keep you fuller longer. Most airports also contain restaurants that offer fresh food options, like salads and fruit. Exploring the airport for the most nutritious food options will also keep you active and energized, as opposed to staying seated while waiting for your flight.
At Your Hotel
Another obstacle many jet set dieters face is hotel cuisine. While hotel food is convenient and quick, continental breakfasts and room service items are often comprised of sugary cereals, pastries, and other options that are not diet friendly. To avoid hunger spikes that will lead you to order hotel food, be sure to stop by a local grocery to load up on healthy foods. Picking fruits, like apples and bananas, that won't spoil quickly and can be eaten in a pinch, is best. Oatmeal and soup are also great options because they only require hot water and can be made quickly. Traveling with a small container of whey protein powder is also recommended because it can be mixed with milk, water, or into yogurt to provide quick, tasty protein without a hassle.
Finding a Healthy Restaurant
A third problem traveling dieters often encounter is locating a healthy restaurant. Because you may be unfamiliar with the area, finding a healthy place to eat can be challenging. Researching options online from your hotel room is the best method. If you're already on the move, one easy step in narrowing down the choices is avoiding buffets and fast-food joints, which generally don't offer a wide array of healthy dishes. Instead, opt for places with a varied menu that utilizes fresh, local ingredients. Generally, the best places will advertise their "farm-to-table" ingredients. In the past I had struggled finding nutritious restaurants as well as hotels and it showed in my waistline. But on my most recent trip to Sin City I found a great site that listed reviews for Las Vegas hotels not only regarding the amenities and services for the hotel, but for the restaurants in the surrounding area as well. This made it easier than ever to plan ahead and not only eat right in the hotel, but outside of it as well.
At the Restaurant
Menus often feature a plethora of tricky words that can lead you to believe unhealthy meals are actually healthy. To preventing falling victim to menu trickery, avoid items with words like: fried, buttery, basted, bottomless, jumbo, smothered, drenched, creamy, loaded, stuffed, sweet, etc. Safer menu options will generally be accompanied by words like: fresh, grilled, baked, boiled, sautéed, seared, steamed, marinated, high fiber, vegetarian, stir fried, multi-grain, whole wheat, etc. Taking vitamins with your meals is also suggested because it can increase absorption of nutrients in the food.
Hope all these tips help! Feel free to revert back to this last throughout the summer as a reminder!
Kayt
