Avoiding Nutrition Sabotage While Traveling
Does anyone else go on vacation and gain 5-10 pounds from all of the food? Over the past few years, that has been my experience. Instead of taking the time to plan meals, prepare snacks, or making the effort to get some physical fitness in, I have been guilty of succumbing to the convenience and joys of doing “nothing” while on vacation. That has been my downfall and one of the reasons of how I sabotage myself while traveling. Then when I do get back home, I feel defeated and don’t go to the gym as I’m embarrassed by what has transpired. I feel like a hamster on the hamster wheel, where I never break myself of this habit. Do you ever feel that way?
Breaking the Cycle
Over the years and through A LOT of trial and error, I have had to learn how to break my cycle. It has definitely not been easy and I will admit to my shortcomings. I have learned from those “failures” and improved what I do.
One thing that I have noticed was that I began to save money on trips. It never failed that my budget for a trip was never enough. We would go through our food budget so quickly due to all the eating out. So while my waist line was expanding, my wallet was shrinking. After a hard reality check, I had to make some changes.
Tips
- Consider your trip location.
Are you going somewhere that you are staying that will give you access to a kitchen or kitchenette? Having access to the basics (such as microwave and fridge) will allow to prepare some of your meals in. Even having a breakfast available of fruit and bagels can reduce your food bill tremendously.
- Pack meals when able.
When we are traveling by car, we pack some meals and snacks to have on the road. Instead of eating at a fast food stop for each meal, we eat the sandwiches that we packed or much on the chips/fruit that we packed. These quick and light meals can easily save our family of 4 as much as $20-$30 per stop.
- Share a meal.
On a recent trip to Texas, my oldest son and I shared a meal at Cracker Barrel. Being gluten free, I can’t eat much on the menu and he is a picky eater. He got to enjoy the pancakes that he wanted and I got to eat the bacon and eggs. This reduced our waste and saved us from buying everything separately.
- Have a date night in.
It’s important that you still have your special time with your significant other while traveling. Maybe instead of going out to a fancy restaurant, get a meal kit or plan a meal to make at your location together. My husband and I recently did this. We kicked the boys out of the kitchen area while we prepared our meal together. We got our much needed adult time and only spent $15 on the meal. This is something that can be done virtually too if you are apart!
- Eat in moderation.
Remember how I mentioned that I LOVE a good burger? That also includes the french fries that come with it, the dessert, and anything else that I can order off the menu. This is my downfall. Instead of ordering just a little bit, I order it all. It’s okay to eat out; just remember to eat the food in moderation. Instead of having a dessert at every meal, maybe only have it once a day or once for the week. Instead of having those delicious dinner rolls for each meal, skip the added carbs for the day (great reminder for myself). You know what your limits are.
- Stay active!
What is your normal routine? Do you go on daily walks? Do you exercise in your home gym several days a week? Your body is used to a certain level of physical activity and food consumption. When you throw off one, you throw off the other. If you are out on a vacation, you can still be physically active. Think about a recent vacation you may have taken. Did you go to the zoo with your children? How many steps did you get in that day walking around? Did you go to the lake and swim? Being active doesn’t need to be the same in your normal life, but it is important to have some level of activeness. This is how you counter the extra food consumption that may be happening.
- Know your needs!
You understand yourself better than anyone else. My weakness are carbs and sugar. When traveling and stressed, I know that I need to avoid these to keep myself in check. I know now that I have to avoid gluten foods. By knowing myself and my body, I am better equipped to make decisions that will help me feel good. This is just one way that I can ensure that my body is fueled and ready to enjoy the trip.
Be True to You
Above all, I want you to be true to you. You know what your nutrition needs are. Maybe you need to eat every three hours to keep your blood sugar in check. Maybe you have a restrictive diet due to allergies or preferences. Maybe you are a foodie and just love trying new foods. Whoever you are, be true to yourself. Understand what your limits are and adjust accordingly. My tips may not work for you. Maybe you need to modify them. What other tips do you have that I didn’t mention already? I’d love to learn from your experiences so please share!
