You are packed and ready to go. You've checked the house not once, but twice to ensure that the doors are locked and the windows are closed. But have you checked to see if you packed your meal plan?
Most of us go on vacation to leave the cares of our day-to-day life behind, but we must be careful not to leave behind our desire to eat in a way that enhances our health and overall well-being. This is especially crucial if you're following a diet that your doctor prescribed and/or if you're a person with diabetes, renal disease or another chronic disease that is greatly affected by what you eat.
Rest assure, you can still have a great time on vacation without over indulging. Here are 10 simple tips to help make that happen:
- Make a plan. If you fail to make a plan, then you plan to fail. You know food is available on cruises 24 /7. Try to keep yourself entertained with movies, games, and outdoor activities that are away from the food.
If you are on land, plan your food around activities. For example, sightsee and then have lunch. Sightsee again for more two hours and then have dinner. Having activities between meals will keep you from being bored and help you walk off the food. - Eat baked, broiled, poached or boiled meats.
- Order the gravies, sauces and salad dressings on the side.
- Pace yourself. Eat slowly. Chew 20 times before taking the next bite. This will fill you up faster.
- Talk, talk and talk. The talkers eat less because they are busy talking.
- Share your meal with your partner or friend. You will consume half the calories, but have twice the fun.
- Order broth or vegetables soups. No creamy soups.
- Eat a salad, a broth soup and then eat your vegetables because you will become full from eating the fiber foods and therefore will eat less of the main meal.
- Take healthy snacks with you like dried fruit, nuts, fruit wraps, yogurt, and unsalted pretzels.
- And most of all, take a pedometer to keep track of your steps. Have a contest to determine who in your group can walk the most steps while on vacation and give them a prize such as a $10 gift card. This little incentive will make everyone join in the fun.
I hope you'll find these tips fun and easy to implement.
Bon voyage and bon appetite!
For daily tips on living healthy, you can follow Renee on Twitter at www.twitter.com/giveupthestrugg.
