Need a Nutrition Vacation From Your Vacation?!

So often I hear the phrase, "I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation!" Indulging in foods that are high in fat, sugar, and alcohol, along with changes in the sleep pattern can set you up for disaster when you try to return to real life after your trip. But is that what a vacation should be like? What if a vacation really was a time for rejuvenation, refreshment, and rest and you didn't come back with regrets and fearful of the number on the scale?

I'm in the habit of taking food with me wherever I go, much to the amusement of my travel companions and friends. But, say what you will, when you travel, you eat! If you know you're going to eat, the best thing to do is to be prepared. After all, how do you know what your options will be when you hit that truck stop 100 miles between here and there? Isn't it better to have some yogurt, bottled water and some fruit in a cooler? My standard includes some raw almonds, yogurt, PBJ, fruit, bottled water and Diet Coke, granola bars and some healthier chips, but you should pack your favorite healthy snacks!

While we're at it, what about when you arrive at your destination? Eating out on vacation is expensive! And not just on the wallet, restaurant meals can overload your system with too much salt, fat, and WAY too many calories. Portions are often twice an appropriate size and may serve up a week's worth of saturated fat. In spite of huge portions, these meals often fail to provide much in the way of vitamins, minerals or fiber. It doesn't have to be this way...

When I travel, I almost always choose a location that includes a kitchen, even if it's just a galley or efficiency. This gives you the flexibility to eat out when you want to, in between healthy and nutritious meals that you prepare yourself. In addition, when you're on vacation, you have a little extra time to prepare meals, instead of rushing from here to there with carpool, work, and activities. When I travel, I often take a cooler and some dry goods with me - including staples like salt & pepper, eggs, olive oil, spray oil, salad dressing, cereal, pasta and sauce, and some fruit - and buy the rest at a local market when I arrive (like Modica Market in Seaside). This ensures that I can eat what I want, when I want...I'm not at the mercy of the local restaurants!

Recently, on a trip to the beach, I was able to do just this! Cooking for myself and my husband is always a lot of fun and it's still fun on vacation. I love food and love to pit local fresh ingredients with standards. We still went out, but we also ate most of our meals in - well, sitting by the pool, on the terrace overlooking the ocean, in a picnic at the beach or at a candle-lit table for two. Here's a sample from our menus:

Breakfast: Blueberry pancakes, Scrambled cheese eggs, Fruit & yogurt parfait with granola, Banana-nut muffins

Lunch: PBJ with fruit and chips (beach picnic), Big chopped salad with avocado, peppers, goat cheese and salsa (by the pool)

Dinner: Rotini pasta with ground turkey, peppers and onions and warm demi-baguettes, Mushroom burgers (Boca) with sweet potato fries & salad, Oven roasted chicken with rapini, mushrooms and onions

All of these fresh dishes were simple, with few ingredients and easily prepared in a tiny galley kitchen with an electric stove and oven! Next time you take a vacation, consider planning your meals to help you come back healthier and more relaxed. Be well...be healthy.