How to Eat Healthy on Your Vacation

Many of us eat right and exercise rigorously all year round. We make our health one of our top priorities and give it time and thought. However, some of us tend to let ourselves go whenever we take a vacation, even if it's a family reunion weekend, or a trip of the folks over the holidays.

Some people end up 10 pounds heavier than they were before the vacation began, and they have no idea why and how it happened to them. This can be a motivation killer since losing those 10 pounds can mean a lot of work and effort later on.

Is it really that bad to let yourself go once in a while?

The answer is that it isn't. In fact, I recommend it for most people for a few reasons. First of all, research shows that limited instances of overeating can actually be beneficial for long term weight loss goals. Second, psychologically, you need a break from your regular eating and exercise routine every once in a while. It's not just a physical rest, it's an emotional one.

And so, allow yourself certain occasions in which you eat some things that you normally shouldn't and take some time off from regular physical exercise, or take it down a notch or two in terms of difficulty. Your body may be slightly heavier at first, but in the long run it won't matter.

But everything has a limit

Of course, adding 10 pounds to your weight over a single vacation means that you've taken this 'let yourself go' part a bit too far. You can expect a slight weight gain over a holiday, but try to keep it in the 5 pounds or lower range.

To do that, here are a few tips on healthy eating during a vacation:

1. Try to eat a bit of everything at first and not eat one dish after another. The thing about holiday meals is that there are so many good things to choose from. Taste a bit from everything at the beginning of the meal so you don't feel like you deprived yourself of anything. It will make it easier to avoid overeating.
2. Drink alcohol in moderation - During the holidays or on vacation, alcohol drinking should be limited. I'm not saying to avoid alcohol entirely. It's a part of life and that's okay. But alcohol is rich in calories and does very little to contribute to a full feeling, so drink in moderation.
3. Avoid all-you-can-eat buffets - If you're staying at a hotel which serves meals, you may be tempted by the wide selection of food offered. Furthermore, hotel meals are often All You Can Eat buffets which can spell trouble if you're not careful. Again, see what is offered and try a bit of everything that you like.
4. Try to be a little active - Even if you're on vacation, there's no reason to be totally stationary. If you're sightseeing that's great. It gets you moving and helps to keep you in shape. But even if you want to just sprawl on some beautiful beach and soak in the sun, there's no reason why you can't take a 10 minute walk on the soft sand, enjoy the sun, and get some exercise in the meantime
5. Choose 1 dessert and stick with it - During holiday meals or vacation dinners, the selection of tasty desserts may seem like a temptation you just can't avoid. If you want to keep the belly fat off, select a single dessert and eat only that. Desserts are high in sugar and fat, so you need to be extra careful with them.

Above all, make sure to enjoy your holiday. It is something which your body and mind need to remain healthy and happy.