8 Tips for Staying Healthy on Vacation

Going on vacation or enjoying a staycation is your opportunity to relax, unwind, and take a break from your regular routine. But that doesn't mean you have to break away from your healthy eating habits.

While you don’t want to let your weight loss journey get in the way of enjoying a stress-free getaway, it’s important to be mindful of the food you eat on vacation.

Here are 8 things you can do to make sure your healthy lifestyle doesn’t get too far off track no matter where you travel.

1. Plan ahead

Starting a road trip without a map is not a good idea. Similarly, you may also feel lost on vacation without a reasonable meal plan.

If you’re accustomed to following your GOLO for Life® Plan, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty adapting to eating healthy, balanced meals on vacation. But it's important to decide ahead of time which meals you want to prepare and when you’ll be going out to eat. Having a set schedule can make it easier for you to eat something healthy before indulging in local cuisine.

2. Prep for your travel day

The night before your trip, prep for a simple, healthy breakfast. These Anytime Egg Bites can be made before your travel day and are easy to pack and eat on the go. If you need to get out the door quickly, have fruit, cut up veggies, or hard-boiled eggs packed and ready to go.

Expecting a long layover or car ride? Be sure to have food on hand that can keep you full, such as raw veggies and lean protein. 

The mindset on eating has changed recently, and a lot of people want healthy food options on the go. This has made it much easier to get GOLO-friendly food when you travel.

Places that primarily offer unhealthy options, such as fast food chains, mini-marts, convenience stores, and the airport, should also have a selection of healthier choices.

3. Make your own meals

Before you travel, look up local grocery stores in your destination area. You should be able to buy GOLO-friendly items you’re used to eating, plus get your hands on healthy grab-and-go produce. This can help you stick to your Plan and save you money compared to eating out every meal. 

If you’re able to, stay somewhere with a full kitchen. If that’s not an option, store healthy food in a refrigerator. There are plenty of GOLO-friendly meal options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that don't require cooking.

4. Stay hydrated

Make sure you have water available when you travel. On car trips, fill up before you go and either pack more water for the road or buy more during pit stops. If you’re flying, look for water stations to fill up your bottle once you get through security.

5. Don’t skip breakfast

Starting your day with a healthy breakfast is always important, especially when on vacation. Chances are, you’ll be a lot more active during the day than you would be if you were home. By eating a healthy breakfast, you’re gearing yourself up for an active day.

Also, eating a healthy breakfast means that if you indulge in certain treats or enjoy some local cuisine, you can feel good about your choices because you’ve had a healthy start to your day.

6. Walk as much as you can

Whether you’re in a new city, getting away from it all on a camping trip, or enjoying the sun and sand at the beach, there are plenty of opportunities to go for a walk.

No matter where you are, walking allows you to see the sights as a local would and take in your surroundings. And isn’t that part of the fun of traveling?

So, get on your feet and explore. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new local place to eat your next meal!

7. Make healthy menu choices

Sticking to your usual eating habits is ideal, but eating in every night will take the fun out of your vacation.

Start by investigating local restaurants in the area. See which ones specialize in your favorite food and check out their healthiest menu options.

No matter where you eat, there are several ways you can make healthier food choices:

• Start with a broth-based soup or a small salad as an appetizer

• Choose veggie-based entrees

• Go with baked, broiled, or grilled vs. fried.

• Avoid creamy sauces or gravies

• Order half portions or get a to-go container right away

If you’re not sure where to eat or want to avoid a chain restaurant while you’re away, ask the locals! They’ll know the best cafes, restaurants, and local markets to try.

8. Splurge only on meals you’ll love

If you’re visiting somewhere famous for its local cuisine, you’d be missing out if you didn’t include it in your itinerary.  That’s why we encourage you to skip temptations that don’t bring you joy and plan your "splurge meals" for authentic, local foods.

When you do splurge on a meal, monitor your portions and eat slowly so you enjoy each bite. Make it meaningful and memorable.

Quick Tip: If you have an off-plan meal, take an additional Release® supplement.

Quick packing guide 

There are a lot of travel-friendly foods you can pack to ensure you get a variety of healthy foods along the way.

1. Pack for the plane

Fresh is best! Pack cut-up fruits and veggies for the plane or a long layover. You can also add nuts and seeds for a crunchy snack.

2. Pack for the beach or a day at the pool

For a beach day, keep fruits and veggies in a cooler and bring plenty of water. If you choose to eat other snacks, just be mindful of portion sizes.

Plan on enjoying lunch on the beach? Prepare this Mango Chicken Salad Wrap before you hit the beach and store it in a cooler to keep it fresh.

3. Pack for a camping trip

When camping, you’ll want to use your grill or fire pit. That means grilling lots of veggies and lean meats like chicken, steak, and fish. 

In the morning, you can dine on fruit and use the grill for eggs. Overnight oats are another option; make them at home and store them in your cooler.

Take GOLO with you no matter where you go!

No matter where life takes you, you can have an easier time following the GOLO for Life® Plan when you remember to have your Smart Card and Release on hand!

Your Smart Card can help you create simple, balanced meals. Plus, it’s a good reminder to include a Bonus Serving if you’re doing more than 30 minutes of walking per day.

When packing, put a bottle of Release and any other GOLO supplement in your carry-on or get an extra bottle and keep it in your toiletries bag so you’ll always have it when you’re on the go!