Eating well on vacation is vital for several reasons. Most importantly, it can help prevent you from returning to work less energized and more unhealthy than when you left. This is especially true if you are traveling in a country that has a food culture and diet that you’re unfamiliar with.
This guide will help you enjoy your trip without feeling constantly overwhelmed by the concern of “eating right”. Learn how to eat healthy while on vacation, why it’s important, and the various benefits that come with this approach.
Why is it Important to Eat Healthy During Vacation?
Eating healthy while on a vacation is important for a variety of reasons:
- First, it helps you maintain your weight by balancing calories consumed with the amount of physical activity you do while traveling.
- Second, getting enough nutrients can help preserve muscle mass and energy levels during periods of sleep deprivation or lack of exercise.
- And third, not eating well may also reduce appetite-related cravings later in life — such as those for sugar and fat — that make eating well difficult at home.
You know how it is with bad eating habits; once you catch them, they’re hard to let go of! If you do not comply, your entire vacation might end up in a hospital due to several indigestion issues that arise from eating ethnic cuisine, which will ruin your whole trip. We also tend to eat a lot of junk when on a trip because of all the tiring traveling, adversely affecting our physical and dental health. These careless acts may become the reason why you so frequently find yourself visiting a dental clinic or a physician once you return from the trip.
Eating Healthy Through All Stages of a Vacation
Before Leaving Home
Stock up on pre-made, healthy meals and snacks. Do not forget to pack a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This will save you time and money, ensuring that you will have a nutritious meal no matter where your travels take you.
Make sure that you pack plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. Purchase a cold-pressed juicer or blender to make your own healthy fruit and vegetable juices while on vacation. Bring a cooler or ice packs to keep these items fresh while traveling.
Research the culture and diet of where you are going to be traveling. It is important to know what food you are likely to find there and whether or not it’s healthy for you to eat there. For example, some countries in Asia serve really spicy food that may be too harsh on your taste buds and cause inflammation or constipation. So, it’s better to avoid eating something you know will take a toll on your health later!
On Vacation
Try not to eat at restaurants and buffets, if possible. This is because this type of food will often be high in calories and low on nutrition. It’s better if you consume sealed cans or food you have brought from home. However, If you do have to eat at a restaurant or buffet, pay close attention to the foods served there. Avoid anything fried or deep-fried as these types of dishes can contain unhealthy fats. Try eating grilled, baked, or steamed dishes instead.
When you are at a buffet, be sure to eat foods that are easy on your stomach and your digestive system. This includes fresh salads, vegetables with lemon juice dressing, fruit salad, or stewed fruits like applesauce. It is also important to avoid anything too spicy as it may cause indigestion.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other beverages like tea or even cocktails if you’re in a party mood. Stick with alcohol brands from your home country for safety reasons. If possible, stay away from food vendors who sell foods like clams, oysters, or other shellfish that you may not be used to eating.
After Vacation
After you’re back from your hopefully healthy trip, spend a week or two reintroducing healthy foods back into your diet. This will help you to avoid any digestive issues that may have been caused by the different types of food you consumed while on vacation.
Try to avoid eating sugar and junk food as soon as you get back from vacation. This is because it can make your body crave these unhealthy snacks, which will lead to weight gain and other health complications if eaten regularly.
If possible, exercise for at least 30 minutes a day when you return home. The more active you are during the first week of being back, the better off you may feel mentally and physically. If this isn’t an option due to constraints with time or energy levels after traveling so much, try doing some light exercises like stretching or walking to maintain fitness levels and burn all the unnecessary calories you may have gained while on vacation.
Eating well on vacation is essential, and there are many benefits associated with this approach. By taking time before leaving home to pack some pre-made meals and fruits and vegetables for snacks, you can ensure yourself a healthy vacation diet. Also, focus on staying hydrated and avoiding certain high-calorie dishes at restaurants or buffets during your visit abroad. These little things can make all the difference in how much enjoyment you get out of eating without feeling overly guilty about what you’re putting in your body.
