Eating Healthy Through the Summer

SmartShape Weight Loss Centre

Tips and Tricks for a Healthy Summer

Many people who are trying to lose weight or maintain their healthy weight find it difficult eating healthy while on vacation. The key is to find the happy medium between denying fatty foods and an occasional indulgence, and you’ll be on your way to healthy vacation eating. Here are a few healthy eating tips and tricks to follow while on vacation.

Tip #1: Breakfast and Lunch Alternatives

Without a doubt breakfast is your most important meal of the day and should not be skipped. If the hotel you are staying in has a continental breakfast, stay away from the carb-ladden bagels or fatty pastries and donuts, and go with the fresh fruits or fiber rich cereals instead. If you are on your own for breakfast, visit a local farmers market or health food store and pick up some fresh fruit or granola. Many of the vacation spots may have unique farmers markets, allowing you the opportunity to try new and delicious items.

Tip #2: Dining Out

When on vacation the majority of your meals may be eaten at restaurants. In today’s society, healthy options can be found on almost any menu, even at McDonald’s; however, the main concerns with eating out are the portion sizes and making the right choice. There are several things vacationers can do to guide them towards healthy restaurant eating. The first key to eating healthy while at restaurants is to stay away from anything fried or with a mysterious special sauce and go with anything grilled, broiled or steamed. Second, appetizers offer smaller portions in comparison to full meals. Third, try sharing a meal or only eat half of what you order and take the rest home in a doggy bag for lunch the next day. Most importantly though, just because the food is in front of you, does not mean you have to finish your plate – stop eating when you feel satisfied, not stuffed.

Tip #3: Tasty Treats – When to Indulge

It is important to remember that when you are vacationing, you are walking around more than normal and burning more calories. So not only is it important to keep hydrated at all times, but with all those extra calories burned, there’s room for a little bit of indulgence. Every city has unique foods and treats that you shouldn’t pass up. Once again, it is all about how much you eat, so limit your treats to less than one a day.

Tip #4: Healthy Eating Tips for Flying

Airplane food is not the most delicious or the healthiest. Airports don’t offer many healthy alternatives either. Therefore, to stay healthy while flying eat a healthy meal or snack before you fly and bring some healthy snacks with you. The best food choices to bring with you on the airplane are portable snacks like fresh fruit, granola, trail mixes and whole grain crackers. Also, wraps are a great heartier, healthy option that travel well and that can be left un-refrigerated for a while. Most importantly though, it is important to remain hydrated while flying, so drink lots of water and stay away from sodas and especially alcohol.

Tip #5: Road Trips

Eating healthy and road trips are two things that don’t commonly go together, but it is possible. It is too easy to pull over at a roadside diner and grab a burger or pick up some sugary snacks and greasy chips at the gas station. There are alternatives to both of these though. Pack a cooler full of healthy snacks like fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy sandwiches, yogurt, granola and of course lots of water so you remain hydrated. While driving, you need to pull over often to stretch your legs and eat. When it comes to lunch you can eat sandwiches that you’ve made or if you must stop at a fast-food place there are things you can do. Many restaurants have healthy options like a salad or go with just the burger and skip the cheese and condiments or go with a grilled chicken alternative.

Eating healthy while on vacation is easy to do if you just keep these healthy eating tips in mind, especially healthy restaurant eating tips. Remember, you are on vacation so it’s okay to indulge now and then, if you make healthy decisions the rest of the time.

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