8 tips for staying healthy while 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 take a break 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 there are a few things you can do to plan ahead.

Before you travel, look up local grocery stores in your destination area. You should be able to buy similar items you’re used to, plus get your hands on healthy grab-and-go produce.

You may also want to investigate local restaurants in the area. See which ones specialize in your favorite food and check out their healthiest menu options.

With a proper plan in place, you can spend more time focusing on your vacation activities without stressing about meals.

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 and don’t have time to make a balanced meal, have fruit, nuts, or seeds packed and ready to go.

Long layover or car ride? Be sure to fill up on low energy-dense foods before leaving or pack some with you. Eating low energy-dense foods like raw veggies, fruits, beans, lean meat, and Greek yogurt means you’ll stay fuller longer without eating a lot of calories.

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. Although you can still find unhealthy options at fast food chains, mini-marts, convenience stores, and the airport, almost all of these places now offer healthy choices! You just have to make the right selections.

3. Make your own meals

Getting to a local grocery store will help you stick to your GOLO for Life Plan and save you money compared to eating out every meal. By making your own meals as often as possible, you control what you eat and how much you eat.

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 No Cook Meal options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Buying prepared protein like rotisserie chicken is another great way to create a protein-packed meal if you don’t have access to a kitchen.

4. Stay hydrated

Similar to your everyday life, 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 when 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. 

Here are some easy ways to make healthy food choices at restaurants:  

• Start with a broth-based soup or 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

Of course, not every meal you eat on vacation will be healthy. 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 a particularly off-plan meal, take an additional Release supplement to help offset the extra calories!

Quick packing guide 

There are loads of travel-friendly foods you can pack to make sure you’re getting 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 long layover. You can also add nuts and seeds for a crunchy snack. Dried fruit is also an easily packable option with a longer shelf life.

For a bigger meal, make these Mini Chicken Pot Pies before your travel day and bring them with you on the plane.

2. Pack for the beach or day at the pool

For a beach day, keep fruits and veggies in a cooler plus plenty of water. Nuts and seeds are also great to snack on while you’re soaking up the sun.

For a bigger meal, prepare this Mango Chicken Salad Wrap before you hit the beach and store it in a cooler to keep it fresh for lunch.

3. Pack for a camping trip

You’ll want to make good use of your grill or fire pit when you’re camping. That means lots of grilled veggie and lean meats like chicken, steak, and fish.

In the morning, you can dine on fruit and use the grill for eggs.

Take GOLO with you no matter where you go!

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

Your Smart Card will help you stick to your GOLO for Life® Plan and create balanced meals whenever you’re not indulging in local cuisine. Plus, it’s a good reminder to include a Bonus Serving if you’re doing more than 30 minutes of walking per day.

Remembering to bring your Release supplement with you is a must. When you’re packing up, put a bottle in your carryon or get an extra bottle and keep it in your toiletries bag so you’ll always have it when you’re on the go!

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