How to Maintain a Healthy Diet While on Vacation? - Eat Smart, Travel Happy

Vacations are all about relaxation, exploration, and indulgence, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to come at the expense of your diet. The temptation to let yourself loose while on holiday is real, but still, maintaining a healthy diet can be easier than one may think, no matter the inherent incompatibility that holidaying and healthy eating have with each other. Here’s everything you need to know on how to eat healthy on your next vacation and still make the most of your trip.

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Plan Ahead
Eating healthy while on holiday starts not during the holiday but at home — before you head out. Homework is key to keeping your diet on track while holidaying. Research restaurants at your destination that serve healthy meals and check their menus online if possible. Among all the holiday gear, make sure to pack some healthy snacks like nuts, granola bars, or dried fruit so you don’t resort to unhealthy options when hunger strikes.

Stay Hydrated
Hunger can often be dehydration in disguise, leading to unnecessary snacking. Therefore, one can’t stress enough the need to stay hydrated when holidaying. A bottle of water, ideally a reusable one (because of the environment), is the one thing that your backpack should never be without when heading out. This is especially important if you are heading out to tropical destinations or during activities like hiking or sightseeing.

Balance Indulgence with Moderation
While healthy eating is certainly meritorious, holidays may not be the most appropriate time for the habit to take precedence because it is time to try new foods and treat yourself to the delights and delicacies of local cuisine. So, indulgence with moderation is key. A tantalising rich dessert or fried dish on the menu? Don’t simply pass up on it in sorrow. Just balance it out with a lighter meal later. Or even better — share the dish with a travel companion and also savour the relish of making a wonderful memory.

Practice Portion Control
As well-versed travellers may certainly be aware, restaurant portions are not the same size everywhere, and more often than not, they are larger than necessary. So, sharing meals is advised to be made a continual practice on your travels, especially if you are unsure of portion size. Ordering appetisers instead of main courses is also something you could consider. Anyway, one rule to go by when practising portion control is to eat until you’re satisfied, not stuffed.

Start Your Day Right
A day that starts well is a day well spent. It goes without saying that breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day, so opt for a healthy breakfast rich in protein, fibre, and healthy fats, such as eggs, yoghurt, fruit, or whole grains. If you are holidaying in South Asia’s beautiful island country, complement your morning with anayurveda retreat in Sri Lanka, including the likes of Heritance Ayurveda.

Incorporate Local Produce
Incorporating local produce in your meals means enjoying the best of both worlds — getting a taste of fresh fruits and vegetables and keeping your diet on track by eating healthy. Visit local markets to enjoy seasonal produce. Not only will you be treated to both a delicious and nutritious meal, but you will also get the opportunity to have a glimpse into the local way of life and savour authentic experiences of your holiday destination.

Stay Active
Practising healthy eating habits is all about living a healthy life. While it isn’t something directly related to maintaining a healthy diet, maintaining an active routine can help offset some indulgences during holidays and keep your energy levels up for exploring and enjoying your vacation to the fullest.