Eating While on Vacation

   I knew it had been a while since I had blogged, but when I looked at the actual date even I was shocked. A month?! What's the world going to do with out my blogs?! Haha. For those of you who are clients or patients of mine you know I recently had a 2 week vacation, that is mostly to blame for my slacking. Also the week of jet-lag and recovery, we can blame that too. But with me just getting back from vacation, and many of my patients getting ready to travel over the three day and summer, one topic comes to mind, eating on vacation. 
   I know, it's a vacation, so you should splurge right? Maybe a little. I don't know about you, but if I were to go to an all exclusive resort and drink pina coladas all day and help myself to the dessert buffet when ever I pleased I would feel like crap! So do I personally eat things on vacation that I don't at home? Of course I do. Do I need to loosen my belt an extra notch after my trip? No. 

So here are three basic guidelines that I like to follow on vacation that should help you from gaining those extra pounds...

1) Find a grocery store as soon as you get there. This last trip my family and I took, we found a Costco the first day we got there. I had actually already located it before we arrived, but we visited as soon as we got there. Not every place is going to have a Costco, but find a grocery store or local market and stock up. Stocking up on healthy Breakfast, Lunch, and snack items will drastically decrease your temptation to reach for something you shouldn't. In fact, this most recent vacation we didn't "eat out" for breakfast or lunch the entire 10 days. My favorite breakfast items to stock up on are protein bars and shakes. My favorite snack items are almonds, cashews, beef or turkey jerky, hummus and vegetables, and fresh fruit. Lunch, isn't as easy if you do not have a fridge. We had a small mini fridge this last trip so we were able to stock up on Organic seeded bread, lunch meat, almond butter, grab and go salads, and premade guacamole. The point is stock up so you are forced to eat what is at hand.

2) Skip the bar drinks. Sure when you are in Hawaii there is nothing like a Mai Tai, or a margarita in Mexico, but keep it to a limit. Again stock up on drinks from a store. Not only will you save the $10-$15 a pop expense. But you will know exactly what is going in to your drink and you will be able to avoid the syrups, artificial flavors and colors, and added sugar. Having a thermos or Bubba keg and premixing drinks with healthier mixers up in the room and bringing it down to the beach or pool will save you. Some of my favorite healthy mixers are coconut water, Perrier sparkling water, and Zevia soda.

3) Eat the local cuisine. I'm sure you've noticed, the locals aren't as overweight as the people staying at the resort. That is not a coincidence! So instead of going for your usual favorites like pizza or a burger, go for the local food. If you are on a beach, eat fish! It doesn't get much fresher than that! This last trip we took, I ate fish every single dinner, I can get chicken at home!

Side Note on Exercise.
Try to get it in at least a couple of times. I'm not the type that is doing pushups on the beach on vacation. Or running a 5k up and down the beach, but I do like to do something. This last ten day vacation I worked out twice, both workouts were probably 25 minutes each. A little bit of weights, and a body weight interval session to re-regulate my hormones. Not only will this break up your routine and may help you focus on eating a little healthier that day, you will also feel a whole lot better getting in to your swimsuit. Also incorporate long walks (on the beach) to get to restaurants and other local sights. We have a general rule, if somewhere we want to go is under two miles, we walk. Other wise we take a cab. Some of the best advice, people we've met, and things we have seen have been on those walks.