Hello Luv-lies,

It’s vacation season and with all of the things that you have to do before you take that much needed ‘fun in the sun’ hiatus, the last thing on your mind is planning meals that won’t make you feel guilty when your vacay is over.  One thing for sure is healthy food choices don’t have to go by the wayside.

So how DO you stay on plan and still eat well while you’re on  vacation?  Here’s a couple of travel tips for healthy and mindful eating while you’re spending your time poolside.

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  Ask for Options.

*Because you always have options*

Many hotels and restaurants, aside from their standard menus,   often have a  ‘heart healthy’ menu. And these days,  heart healthy doesn’t have to mean lettuce and carrots!   Feel free to ask that your meals be prepared salt-free.

Substitute extra virgin olive oil or sesame seed oil for butter or margarine.  Have your salad dressing on the side (you already know that trick).  If all else fails, create your own meals by ordering from the ala carte menu (this may be a little more costly than the ‘bundle pack’ meals from the main menu. But …The portion size keep me on track. No-brainer. Right? )

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Snack Smart.

*Snacking is good. Look at snacks as mini meals that hold you over until the next feast.

In an ideal world ( and when we’re not on vacay) we would travel with pre-planned,  snacks that help us stay on plan. But on vacation?   I think not!   So.  When scavenging for nutritious snacks that won’t interfere with the fit of that swimsuit that cost you one whole paycheck, try to avoid high- caloric snacks (like candy and cookies).

My strategy.

I pick snacks that tend to be either fruits, veggies and/or a combo of one of those … with … some type of dairy ( I’m loving Yoplait brand right now.. 2 Points Plus Value for one serving). Throw in raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. I’m good! Need more sustenance?  Add a protein (walnuts are one of my favs).  Snack attack under control! Check!

Now this next tip I struggle with everyday. Not just on vacay. Right now, adding fruit keeps it enticing.

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Drink!

Water! … Loads!

I’ll drink plain ol’ tap water. Sure. Given a choice; however…. I opt for it, either,  bottled or  filtered.  But not sparkling.  Not much of a fan of sparkling water. Can’t get used to the bubbles. But, if that’s your thing- go for it! Get your aqua in the way that works for you.

I’ve made it a habit to keep a bottle or glass on hand at all times. And to motivate me to get it in? There’s an App for that! And I do Luv a great App!

Keeping yourself ‘watered down’ all day had its bennies. It wards off overeating, flushes out excess salt in your system (and you know, the salt always show up on the scale), and can I tell you that your skin is going to loooove you!!!

Okay. Recap.

Ask for options. You always have them. Being on vacay doesn’t mean making lazy snack choices. There are tons of good stuff out there. Eat it! Drink up! Water. That is. Here’s a game that might help get the aqua in – ‘Two For’ it! For every non-water drink that you down, drink twice as much water.  !BAM!

That brings me to the last tip

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 Keep It Simple

* K.I.S.  {… you decide what the last ‘S’ stands for}

Simply put….

If your meal arrives in today’s super-size portions, don’t panic. *Don’t eat it all, either! * Half the portion – put it in a ‘to-go’ bag (that’s a meal for later on.  And … money saved on meals equals more money for shopping!  Now, that I like!).

Don’t want to be bothered with keeping up with a to-go bag, after dinner? Ask your server for the lunch portion of your entrée selection. Lunch portions are almost always less than dinner size.

How’s that for simple?

So Luv-lies, you don’t have to throw your healthy eating habits out the window just because you’re on vacation. You’ve planned your vacay, now plan to stay on track.
What’s your plan?
… Do tell …