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Being on vacation doesn't have to mean gaining weight or losing all the progress you made months before, instead, it's about learning to enjoy your days off guilt-free, but with good planning and some simple habits, you can eat healthy when you travel without remorse.
Vacations are short moments in your life where the main objective is to taste the flavors and textures of a new culture, relax, and forget about all those worries you have on a daily basis and just have fun to the fullest. But if you want to have a good time and also stick to your dietary regimen without gaining too much weight upon your return, you just need to have a nutritional plan and not overindulge, instead, eat moderately.
Eating healthy when you travel is essential to plan the foods that are allowed and those treats that you can indulge in during this period. If you don't decide in advance how you want to eat, it's very likely that you will end up making bad choices when you arrive at a restaurant and you may become frustrated during the process of choosing a dish.
How much food should you eat?
During trips, some restaurants often serve dishes with large portions of food that are made up of a lot of carbohydrates or fats, but there is a solution to this. If your goal is not to exceed a lot in terms of weight gain, you should be mindful of the portions of food you are consuming, since your metabolism already assumes a certain amount (the one in your diet) and consuming more, out of habit, can be harmful to your health.
For these types of situations, the solution is simple: you don't need to eat everything and suffer from stomach pain for the rest of the day, you can share that portion of food or simply ask for it to go and guarantee dinner, also saving some money and maintaining your weight.
Tips to enjoy your vacation without gaining weight
If you are about to take a trip or are already on vacation and want to take care of your physical progress, here are some options that are not difficult but will bring positive changes to your health. Remember, the important thing is to have fun, but always in moderation.
1. Pack healthy snacks
No matter how short or long the trip is, homemade snacks should not be missing. Even if you're not considering it, sometimes hunger strikes at the airport or during the journey. If you don't have something healthy to eat, you'll end up choosing chocolates, candies, and any other snack that's available. The most recommended ones are: Nuts, seeds, homemade protein bars, vegetable sandwiches, whole grain cookies, or Greek yogurt.
2. Drink water
Drinking healthy liquids helps keep cravings for junk food under control. In fact, it prolongs the feeling of satiety and helps facilitate digestion to keep your stomach light and free from bloating. Remember, dehydration takes a toll on your body afterwards, so avoid drinking soda, processed juices, or energy drinks, which are harmful to your health.
3. Avoid excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
To stay in shape, you don't have to go the entire vacation without having a drop of alcohol. Having a little wine or beer is always guilt-free. You must test your willpower to only eat and drink what is strictly necessary.
4. Get moving!
Being on vacation is not an excuse to not engage in physical activity. While it's not necessary to work out in the gym all summer, you can take advantage of swimming in the pool or the sea, jogging in the morning while watching the sunrise, walking briskly barefoot along the shore, using less taxi and walking. These habits will help you feel more energized and in a better mood, and your body will stay in shape even if you've changed your usual routine.
5. Eat fruits
No matter how many you eat per day, just do it, as they will nourish your body and keep you feeling satisfied. If you go to restaurants and notice that there are dishes with fruits on the menu, don't hesitate to order a serving, as it will be very beneficial to your health.