Vacation can be stressful for healthy eaters with concerns about being away from the routine they know and love.

This time of year, people are ready to relax and have fun, hitting the roads and the beaches with friends and family.  

It’s not a desirable time to be counting calories and measuring portions.

So, how do nutrition experts live it up on vacation without letting themselves go? What do they eat? They eat...

1. The Local Flavor

Most areas have a famous restaurant or an indigenous dish for which they are known. Food is culture, and there is no need to miss out on that!

Before going on vacation, do some research to find out what foods you should try and what restaurants not to miss. Be wary of portion sizes and how frequently you are indulging, but always embrace the local flavor of your vacation destination.

2. Snacks and Produce

Nutritionists seem to always have a bag of tricks (or snacks) up their sleeves.

You never know what vacation will bring, so come prepared. Some favorites always in my purse are bananas, apples, raw almonds, cashews, pistachios, and sunflower seeds.

3. Dessert

Nutritionists eat dessert – they just don’t do it all the time.

Allow yourself one fun indulgent treat on vacation per day. Have a scoop of ice cream, some caramel corn on the boardwalk, or maybe some seafood bisque.

Just recognize indulgent treats as just that – treats. Be mindful and consume in moderation!

4. One Restaurant Meal Per Day

Chances are, you will be eating out some meals on vacation, but try to limit that to one meal per day. It is hard to limit portion sizes in restaurants, because you are not technically making your plate.

Limit yourself to one big meal a day, either lunch or dinner and then snack on something like a granola bar and an apple other times.

Conclusion

The bottom line is, relax and enjoy yourself… You are on vacation, after all!

Don’t throw healthy eating out the window, but indulge and treat yourself responsibly and you will come back from vacation rested and refreshed instead of bloated and fatigued.