Your Nutrition Habits Do Not Get Vacation Time

By Rebecca Scritchfield, RD - DietsInReview.com

Go ahead and fess up if your eating habits cash in vacation time right along with you when you head out of town, and upon returning home you find yourself feeling heavy, sick, and maybe even a little depressed. Think about it for a second. It sounds totally absurd to throw all your handwork out the window just because you're not at home. Vacations are supposed to be relaxing and rejuvenating. If you come home feeling guilty and stressed, then the vacation didn't do its job, which means you didn't either. But don't fret, we've got some tips that will help you avoid a nutrition vacation and have you return home feeling happy and healthy and ready to just continue making smart choices!



Embrace Portion Control
! With portion size in mind, you can truly have whatever you want. Just not too much. By making fresh fruits and vegetables the priority on your plate, you'll fill up on nutrients and fiber but not on calories and fat. So it's OK to take a few bites of an indulgent dessert or rich entree while on vacation.

Moderation is Key. Follow the "choose between" rule. If you're in the mood for a heavy breakfast like pancakes, then have a pancake with a couple off egg whites. Choose a glass of wine with dinner or have dessert, but not both. Alcohol lowers the inhibitions and once you've had a few, resisting the "munchies" is like staying away from a BOGO shoe sale - it's just not going to happen!

Rethink Convenience Foods. Fresh fruits are nature's convenience food. Fruits like oranges, bananas, and apples come in their own packaging, perfect for a carry-on bag or even stocking a hotel room. Road tripping? Fill a cooler with fresh fruit, 2% mozzarella string cheese, grape tomatoes, Fig Newtons, hard boiled eggs, and whole wheat crackers and natural peanut butter. Be sure to eat a balanced meal before you hit the road and then rely on the cooler for healthy noshes between destinations. If you are full, you won't feel tempted by the truck stop fare.

Don't Rationalize. You know what we're talking about… don't be the person who says "I'm on vacation so I don't care." Bottom line: you can have fun and nourish yourself at the same time. If you're out for a week, pick one or two truly "carefree" food days and balance them out with some extra activity that helps you enjoy your destination - like snow or water skiing, hiking, golf or a walk through the zoo. Don't let yourself give in to a week of overdoing it. The emotional fallout you may feel when you come home is not worth the few days of food frenzy.

Learn more about enjoying a healthy vacation at DietsInReview.com:

6 Ways to Stay Healthy at the Airport

Take an Active Vacation and Be Renewed

10 Vacation Exercise Tips



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