Read Bonggamom's tips on how to eat healthy while on vacation & enter for a chance to win $1k!

usually go to grocery stores or even farmer's markets, which are our favorites, when we travel. Fresh fruits and veggies are great to enjoy and keep us feeling so much better than all kinds of processed foods.

I eat healthy by swinging by a grocery store to pick up some healthy things so we don't have to always rely on restaurants.

I have to be honest, i don't always eat healthy when I'm on vacation. I take the opportunity to really savor the local cuisine. What I do do is make sure to gets lots of exercise and activity and include lots of fresh veggies and fruits. Also, I try to keep my calories in food and not in drinks, so I drink lots of water or no calorie drinks.

The same way I do at home - I watch my salt intake, try to eat fresh/whole foods whenever possible, and avoid fried foods.

I also keep plenty of bottled water on hands, and cereal bars, fruit or other healthy snack options so I don't get overly hungry and start inhaling everything in sight :)

We have a time share condo, so I cook a bunch of healthy food for lunches and bring a lot of fruit. So that means we're eating our usual healthy breakfast and lunch, and then everyone can choose what they want for dinner (i.e. we get healthy - the kids get junk )

I pack healthy snacks and bottled water. We try to avoid fast food if we do eat out.

I bring my resistance bands with me on vacation. They weigh almost nothing so I don't have to worry about not packing other things I need. And if I can find a chair or door that closes and locks securely, I can do a whole range of exercises. Exercising keeps me from going overboard with too rich foods.

I bring as many homemade snacks as possible. Also, I love to check out local farmers markets or grocery stores to find healthy food!

I go to grocery stores around the area instead.

belgd at live dot com

I agree that local grocery stores are a great way to get healthy and save some money. I always have water with me. Thanks for the contest.

I always plan ahead to bring a variety of snacks or meals with us so that we can avoid costly fast foods while on the run. If we can't bring along healthy items from home then we shop at grocery stores in the area. We've noticed that our tummies usually feel healthier and less upset during a long trip when we avoid fast or fried foods.

I try to exercise early in the morning because I have a better chance of staying on track the rest of the day. I also drink lots of water--I carry a water bottle everywhere

While away from home for any reason, vacation or not, I make every effort to keep my dietary intake at something close to my 'at home' level. While this does not mean that I don't sometimes goof, I work at eating lots of fruit, vegetables and proteins like fresh seafood.

These are some great tips. For some reason I've always had it in my mind that you must always eat out when you're on vacation. It's never really occurred to me that I could shop with the locals and prepare my own food. Eureka!

I frequently have to remind myself that eating out doesn't necessarily mean eating overpriced junk. I try to choose low calorie / low fat meals (non-salads) when I can. I also often request that less salt be used if possible. I try to practice portion control when I can. Ordering a small appetizer usually helps with that. If I know a meal is particularly large, when I remember, I sometimes I ask for half of my meal to be bagged before it arrives at the table. That way I'm not tempted to devour the entire meal in one sitting.

Probably our single biggest tip is to NOT eat at restaurants all the time. Restaurant food, even the healthiest versions, are still heavy in calories and items such as salt, oil and sugar. Instead, we visit local farmer's markets and pick up a few fresh items ... veggies, fresh baked bread, cheese, etc. Typically we head for a nearby park and make delicious veggie sandwiches. Sometimes we buy local items and then haul them back to our room for an evening feast.

We also walk a lot when on vacation ... not only is it healthy but it's a great way to see a city or new area.

I put the food in the cooler for our trip. I pack water and fruit and whatever food items (healthy non-sugar snack) to feed the family. It is alot cheaper to shop at the grocery store, and pack your food, than to eat out.

We make sure our hotel has a fridge, then hit the local grocery store.
We also bring a cooler, That way we can have lots of yummy fruits and veggies as well as cold water to snack on while we are away from the hotel.

We make sure our hotel has a fridge, then hit the local grocery store.
We also bring a cooler, That way we can have lots of yummy fruits and veggies as well as cold water to snack on while we are away from the hotel.

When we're away, I try to keep our eating as healthy as it is at home. That means as much fresh fruit, vegetables and proteins as possible, no processed food if possible, and no foods made with white flour. I 'bring' all we can with us, to have it on hand, so we don't end up in a situation where we are so hungry, we just eat whatever is fast and easy.

~ Laura (a.k.a. LLR) www.ourhouseofjoyfulnoise.com ( http://www.ourhouseofjoyfulnoise.com )

I try to eat my regular snacks and make sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Cooking and baking adventures in the little kitchen ( http://www.thelittlekitchen.net )

I bring my own snacks from home. It is usally cheaper at home to buy healthier snacks then on vacation.

My husband and myself were just on vacation alone and we decided to split our meals. We ordered appetizers, meal, and dessert but when you split it with someone, it is much less fattening and really the right portion. I always drink water too. It is so hard when you are on vacation to do good. I tend to splurge more at dinner and go light on breakfast and lunch.

I don't go on vacation very often and eat most of my meals at home so I tend to just go for it when I do get the chance.

That said, I've never been much for drinking lots of soda or eating especially gloppy foods so it's just a minor bump in my good nutrition road instead of a major catastrophe.

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I think you can enjoy yourself and try all the different foods just do it in moderation! You only need a bit or two to try something.

When I'm traveling or on vacation, I tend to walk. A LOT. I like to explore, so I'm always on the move and rarely sitting around. I also make sure I stay hydrated (an aluminum water bottle that you can fill up at various places helps).

My rule of thumb for eating healthily -whether on vacation or at home - is to allow myself a taste of anything I want to sample. Portion size and not gorging on fatty, sugary and salty foods and drinks is how I stay on track.

Our family also likes to bring our own oatmeal packets, bottled waters and fruit and nuts with us. Being caught starving without healthful choices is a trap for diet failure.

Thanks for the great giveaway!!! :)

Definitely take healthy, high fiber snacks along. Also take along Crystal light and add a packet to a glass of ice water when eating in restaurants.

It is so tempting to throw out all healthy disciplines when on vacation, but now that I am a card-carrying senior citizen, those extra calories will go right to my hips and my belly, so that calls for the Plan B of life.
Since I am not on my honeymoon and CAN plan ahead, I pack some of my tightest outfits so it reminds me not to overeat and to do some exercise each day. I tuck in my exercise bands so I can do resistance strength exercises when there is no swimming pool to do laps or a nice beach to do a brisk walk on wet sand.
We try to stay in accommodations with a kitchenette so I can fix at least 2 meals instead of eating out. When we do eat out, if we cannot agree, or the restaurant does not allow, on sharing a meal, I ask for a take-home box to be delivered when my meal is served and put 1/2 of it in the box before I start to eat. Another trick I have learned is to ask for a double serving of vegetables or fresh fruit instead of a starch with my meal.
If I use the same eating habits I normally use, vacations do not result in a weight gain. HA! Who is it, that is not already fit and lean, who can honestly say they really do that?

When we've gone on vacation in the past it usually means a vacation from healthy eating for me and then I pay for it when I get home..none of my clothes seem to fit! The last two vacations I made a promise to eat from the "light" menu and skip dessert except for one meal each trip where I permitted myself to indulge. I was a lot happier going home since I still had clothes I could wear!

Were actually going on a trip in a couple of days!I'm packing bottled water and also vitamine e water! I froze some grapes and blueberries,that are great to eat frozen!

fruit is best - it has it's own package and most can last a few days without being in the frige. marybeth i.

Drink lots of water, and avoid the sodium!

When we vacation, my husband and I will stop at a local grocery store and buy healthy snacks (fruit, raw nuts, protein) to keep in the fridge in our rented house/condo/hotel room. We also make a promise that we will only eat out only once a day.

AND we always bring running clothes to get in a good run in the evening when the weather is cooler. That way, we get exercise and we get to explore the area.

I tend to do A LOT of walking on vacation, and we bring our own snacks which is always helpful!

We strive to eat only one restaurant meal a day. Thus, we eat fruit, buy food we can fix and walk and walk everywhere. we find we can share most restaurant meals and if small add a salad. This keeps costs down and weight too!!

Recently our family took a trip to Monterey Peninsula for those who aren't familar it is in California "Lover's Point" In the ice chest we carried baby carrots & celery with Ranch dressing and also the individual crystal light packs my grandchildren age 4 love adding them to bottled water, and the vegetables were such a hit the deer at our hotel loved them too as we fed them out the hotel patio and enjoyed the beautiful ocean view LoveDebra <3

By eating the local fare and skipping the hotel buffets. I find that the hotel's food is often processed and imported, therefore containing preservatives to extend shelf life.

Paris! How fun! I would love to eat bread and cheese like the locals. :) I also like to stop at the grocery store as soon as I get into town and pick up some healthy food. I always get a room with at least a mini fridge and microwave. It helps my budget and waistline to cook a little in the room. :)

When I'm on the road, in my car, it's all about bringing healthy snacks. Granola bars, mixed nuts, and fruit help keep the gotta-stop-for-food impulse at bay. (Who buys healthy food at gas stations? Not this girl! The solution is to not stop at all.)

When I'm overseas, I get down to the business of foraging for fresh vegetables and fruits. Being immersed in other cultures means I need to enjoy their cuisine - all of it (yikes!) - and it's so easy to overindulge. Regular snacks of fresh goods keep the metabolism high, and they keep my stomach satisfied enough that I don't eat waaaay too much pasta, or schnitzel, or delicious fried fish and chips.

When away I try to locate some fresh seasonal fruit that we can snack on. I also bring some snacks with us. Almonds, cashews, granola bars, packets of oatmeal. I like to have stuff (even water) that is familiar to the kids and won't be too different. We also try to eat earlier, think late lunch for dinner so it is cheaper and eat a lot of salads.

Heather 

Domestic Extraordinaire

We try to eat healthy everyday at home...so on vacation we feel like we can splurge a little and enjoy some unhealthy treats!:)

I pack snacks and fruit that I pick up from nearby market and always have water bottle with me.

thanks for sharing your experience. i don't eat very healthy while i'm on vacation..we eat at restaurnats, don't watch portions, and don't exercise >.< i will have to watch my intakes more carefully.

Julie O'Hara
A Mingling of Tastes ( http://www.aminglingoftastes.com/ )
When I'm on vacation, I eat very healthy for 2 out of 3 meals. So, I'll have instant oatmeal and a banana for breakfast; a simple sandwich for lunch and a nice dinner at a restaurant. And I still work out most days when I'm on vacay--it makes it easy to eat what you want.

I like to drink lots of water (crystal light) and take advantage of the fruit at breakfast in the morning it can carry you through lunch most times and then there is not so much guilt enjoying the finer foods and drinks of vacation.

Travel, whether by plane or car ruins my appetite. I drink protein powder or all natural protein bars for sustainment And I buy alot of apples. If I didn't eat clean oand light on the road, I'll hurl. Good motivation to eat well!
quitecontrary1977@hotmail.com

It is so hard to stay healthy while traveling but I always carry granola in my bag and a bottle to refill with water.Some fast food places have veggie burgers so I always try to get the healthiest thing on the menu like a salad or baked potato with nothing but salt and pepper.
jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com

I pack a cooler of healthy treats for road trips. It keeps us from grabbing chips and candy bars from the gas stations. I also make sure I have a full bottle of water in the car. Nothing worse on a long car ride than dehydration.

Amy blogs over at This Northern Life ( http://thisnorthernlife.com ).

while just out of the house but vacation? not really (although I should)
tvollowitz at aol dot com

Always have to have my water with me where ever I go. And I bring along granola bats, popcorn, pretzels, crackers for munching. And if we have a cooler or fridge fresh fruits and veggies from the local markets too.

BrendaLea - The Purple Lady
http://prpldy15.blogspot.com/
prpldy (at) comcast dot net