We love going on vacation and taking a break from everyday responsibilities while we relax and recharge. But if you’ve been following a healthy eating plan, it can easily be derailed while traveling, as cooking is often replaced with dining out for indulgent meals, drinks, snacks and desserts.
If you want to stick to your balanced diet on your getaway, here’s what nutrition and fitness experts recommend:
- Ditch buffets and order appetizers with a side of veggies - Avoiding buffets and restaurants that serve excessively large portion sizes can help prevent overindulging, or you can always order an appetizer instead of an entree and get a side salad or grilled vegetables.
- Review menus before picking restaurants - Check out menus online before going to eat so you know what’s available and can plan what you’re going to order ahead of time, which will help you make smarter choices.
- Stick to the “BDD rule” - It stands for Bread, Drink and Dessert and nutritionist Megan Lyons says she swears by it. All you do is choose one - either bread, drink or dessert - at each meal, and on special occasions, you can indulge in all three guilt-free.
- Monitor portions and drink more water - Stick to smaller portions or share meals and make sure you’re staying hydrated. “Water helps regulate appetite and prevents hydration, which can sometimes be mistaken for hunger,” reminds Whitney Prude, a certified health and wellness coach.
- Protein and fiber are your BFFs - If you’re worried about overindulging, eat plenty of foods that are high in protein and fiber to keep you fuller longer.
- Cut down on cocktails - It’s fun to kick back with a drink when you’re on vacation, but exercise physiologist Karen Owoc points out that some fruity, frozen cocktails can have 500 or more empty calories per glass, so choose wisely.
Source: Fox News
Photo: Getty Images