Don't Say 'Bon Voyage, Diet!' Tips For Eating Well While Traveling

Who doesn't love summer? The vegetables are at their freshest, the nights are balmy, the kids are out of school, and it’s time to hit the road! But when we’re on the go and traveling, it’s tough to stick to our healthy lifestyles. Vacations are good for our health: They reduce stress and give balance to our lives. But with road-trip diner fare, cruise ship buffets, and airline meals, they can be a dietary disaster.

Give your body -- not your diet -- the vacation.

Here are a few tips to help navigate the journey and stick to your budget:

1. Skip the junk food en route. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t make a chain restaurant’s extra-large muffins or greasy burgers any better for you. Instead, pack snacks for the flight or the road -- a turkey sandwich on whole wheat, a piece of fruit -- and save your splurges for the unique fare you’ll encounter at your destination. If you’re on a road trip, make room in the trunk for a cooler; fill it with double-bagged ice to prevent soaking the food, and then layer in fruits and veggies and sandwich fixings.

2. Get a room with a view (and a kitchen). If possible, book a condo or a motel room with a kitchenette, and then hit the grocery store on arrival; it might seem more expensive, but you’ll be able to brew your own coffee in the morning, have a casual breakfast and pack lunch to go -- saving plenty in restaurant bills as well as calories.

3. Avoid the buffets. Going on a cruise? Gambling in Vegas? Opt for traditional restaurants rather than “all-you-can-eat” diet-disaster zones.

4.  At a restaurant, eat family style. Order mostly healthy dishes and a single “splurge” specialty, such as a dessert to share, and pass the plates so everyone at the table has a small taste.

5.  Park it. If you’re on a road trip, or if you have a rental, consider ditching the car once you reach the day’s destination, and walk around town instead. Not only will you log a couple of miles as you explore, but you’ll save yourself the hassle of finding parking spaces over and over again.

6. Build activity into every day. Dedicate a few hours to physical activity -- whether in the form of a walking tour, snorkeling or dancing at a disco. You’ll still have plenty of time to veg out –- and you’ll have earned it.

Happy trails!

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