By Josephine Raum, MS, RD, Bariatric Dietitian
Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center
Its vacation time, and most of us are looking forward to a trip that will allow us to relax and “get away from it all.” However, many people are worried about what they bring back after they get away: extra pounds. Here are five simple tips to help you navigate your vacation in a healthy way.
- Make sure you have breakfast every day: Start the day off right and schedule in breakfast. After breakfast, focus on the activities you have planned! Skipping breakfast can lead to grazing and snacking throughout the day, causing calories to add up much more quickly.
- Don’t plan a vacation, plan an experience: Vacation is a time when we get to do and see things we don’t normally do and see! When planning your trip, think of activities that involve exploration such as tours, sightseeing, biking or hiking. Working in an adventure that involves physical activity is definitely more exciting than the treadmill at the gym.
- Look up restaurants and stores before your trip: Plan out when and where you will eat, therefore eliminating the chance of grazing throughout the day on whatever catches your eye. If you found a great restaurant to try, you would be less likely to snack on a funnel cake an hour before your reservation, than if you had no plans at all. If you are on a cruise, don’t go to the buffet; instead, choose the sit down meal option. If you have a place to prepare food, stock up on healthy options at the local grocery store.
- Indulge: Why does that word typically elicit a mental picture of chocolate cake? It shouldn’t! Vacation is a time where you can indulge in things that you typically don’t luxuriate in at home. That means using the time to get a deep, relaxing massage; adventuring at an amusement or water park; spending a precious weekday deep sea fishing; or reading a great book while relaxing on the beach. These indulgences can make a vacation great and are calorie free!
- Enjoy your food: Great tasting food doesn’t have to be relinquished, and it would be a shame not to truly appreciate local, great tasting fare. This means, go slow, chew your food well, and take your time with your meal. Engage in conversation while putting the fork down between each bite. When you take the time to savor the flavor with each bite, you will realize you are both mentally and physically satisfied with less food.