Do you sometimes feel at a loss when trying to eat healthy on vacation? Like, no matter what you do, do you come back feeling worse or guilty from indulging?
Finding time for self-care, even on vacation, is important in our fast-paced lives. Typically, vacations are known for being lazy and putting on a few extra pounds. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Here are 10+ unique ideas on how to eat healthy on vacation (that you’ve probably never thought of).
This guide will help redefine old vaca habits by introducing new ideas that’ll leave you feeling much better than a beached whale.
Park & Roam contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See our Disclosure Policy for more information.
How to Eat Healthy on Vacation (without losing your mind)
Planning a vacation is exciting! It’s an escape from the daily grind and gives you a chance to explore new places, cultures, and cuisines.
But, there’s a hard-to-break habit that comes along with that escape- diving in head first into yummy dishes and having that “treat yourself” mentality.
It’ll derail your commitment to working out and a healthy lifestyle faster than you think.
Don’t worry, though; there are some easy and practical tips you can incorporate so you can eat healthy on vacation and have a good time doing it.
The goal is to avoid post-vacation guilt and learn how to master healthy vacation habits. All you need is a little balance.
Be open to smart eating choices and wellness practices to ensure you eat healthy on vacation so you can return feeling refreshed and revitalized.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Eat Healthy on Vacation
1. Take the Time Off of Work (even if you feel like you can’t)
If the COVID shutdown taught us anything, it’s that life is short and that we should enjoy it while we can.
Take the time off of the crazy work schedule. Decompress, stress less, enjoy life, get outdoors, and take that vacation you’ve always wanted to go on.
Instead of daydreaming about what you’re going to do, where you’re going to eat, and planning all the amazing places you’ll see, let’s put those dreams into an attainable, easy vacation plan for an effortless itinerary.
2. How To Prevent Hunger Meltdowns
When it comes to ideas on how to eat healthy on vacation, it’s important to find a balance between enjoying your time off and taking care of your body.
What the heck are you going to eat while away from your normal routine and familiar places? And how can you avoid the dreaded Hangry Monster?
Avoiding “hangry” (a combination of hungry and angry) moments is essential for your well-being, mental health, the family and friends around you, and the overall vibe of your vacation.
When the hangry monster rears its ugly head, it can turn your vacation mood upside down.
3. Grocery Planning
Have you ever tried to coordinate a grocery trip with family members while on vacation? Only to end up with several different scribbled lists, dragging a two-ton grocery cart around, all while trying to navigate an unchartered grocery store in a busy tourist town?
Yes! And it sucks! And it’s totally overwhelming!
And this is all before you’ve even had the chance to check out the beach and shout, “It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere!”.
Learning how to eat healthy on vacation can be a challenge, especially when surrounded by tempting treats and dining options.
However, enjoying your vacation is possible while still making nutritious and even delicious choices.
When our family gets together for a vacation, we ALWAYS create a grocery order ahead of time and schedule it for pick up or delivery the day we arrive in town.
Because who wants to spend precious vacation minutes (or hours) spending time doing a mundane everyday chore like grocery shopping? Yuck!
We have tried various apps, but our best experience was using the Walmart Grocery app.
Walmart Grocery App
Ordering groceries from Walmart is convenient for stocking up on essentials and eating healthy on vacation.
It will save time during the trip and help you plan healthy eating habits way ahead of time before the temptation of vacation splurges ever occurs.
This is one of the easiest ways to eat healthy on vacation.
There’s nothing worse than being hungry, and STUCK with no grabble snacks. Check out this step-by-step guide to help you place a Walmart grocery order for your vacation:
– You can access Walmart’s grocery ordering service through their website (www.walmart.com/grocery) or by using the Walmart app, which is available for download on most smartphones.
– If you already have a Walmart account, sign in with your username and password. If not, you’ll need to create an account by providing your email address, a password, and some personal information.
– Enter the ZIP code or address of the Walmart store closest to your vacation destination. This determines where the groceries are prepared and made available for pickup or delivery.
Pro-Tip: Schedule this well in advance, especially if you’re traveling to a busy tourist town like Gulf Shores or Destin, as they can become super busy and available time slots go fast.
– Walmart offers both pickup and delivery options for online grocery orders. Select the option that suits your vacation plans.
Pro-Tip: We usually head straight to our condo or hotel, begin unpacking our luggage & gear, and have the grocery order delivered within that hour of us arriving at our destination.
That way, all of the unpacking, sorting, and organizing groceries is done at one time, and you can hit the beach, the slopes, the trails, or just relax on the balcony and drink a nice glass of pinot.
Are you feeling the vaca vibes yet?!
– Browse the Walmart grocery website or app to add items to your cart. You can search for specific products, browse categories, or use the “favorites” and “recent purchases” features to find items you frequently buy quickly.
Create a Grocery List in Advance
– Create a list of groceries that you’ll need for your vacation. Consider items such as breakfast foods, healthy snacks like nuts, veggies & hummus, beverages, fresh produce, and any special dietary requirements.
Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to add your favorite wine, beer, or sparkling seltzers! I mean, this is a VACATION we’re talking about!
– Before proceeding to checkout, review the items in your cart.
Pro-Tip: It’s always nice to ask friends & family members if they’d like to add anything to make their trip extra special. They can always send you money through one of the many apps. ????
– Once the cart is complete, click on the “Checkout” or “Proceed to Checkout” button. Then, enter your payment information and select your preferred payment method (credit/debit card, Walmart gift card, etc.).
– If you chose pickup, select the Walmart store location and the date and time for pickup. If you opted for delivery, enter your vacation address and select the desired delivery date and time.
Review the Grocery Order
– Review your order details one last time, including the pickup or delivery location and time. Confirm your order and wait for a confirmation email.
Boom! Vacation task number one is complete! How convenient was that?!
– You’ll receive a confirmation email with your order details, pickup or delivery instructions, and a summary of charges.
– On the specified date and time, either pick up your groceries from the Walmart store you selected or wait for your delivery to arrive at your vacation destination.
– Now it’s time to kick back and enjoy your much-needed, well-deserved time off!
With your groceries ready, you can now focus on enjoying your trip without worrying about shopping for essentials.
5. Meal Planning
Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast. Regularly eating on vacation helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, preventing extreme hunger.
Planning meals ahead of time is crucial to an enjoyable vacation experience. Trust me, you do NOT want to be stuck waiting in line for 2 hours at a restaurant with the Hangry Monster nipping at your ankles.
Again, speaking from personal experience.
Planning meals using the previously mentioned grocery app is a useful tool to help you remain on track and eat healthy on vacation.
However, what if you just don’t feel up to cooking or cleaning up the mess, or you don’t even have a kitchen to make meals?
Or, what if you’re road-tripping and don’t have time to stop to have a full restaurant experience?
We have figured out the BEST solution for eating healthy on vacation. And it’s saved us from having middle-of-nowhere, complete hungry meltdowns, all while trying to maintain a healthy diet and still enjoying the trip.
Want to know our secret? Chef-prepared meals delivered to your destination or having the meals delivered to your home and taking it along on your road trip.
When we first discovered this unintentional idea, we were mind-blown at the difference it made in our travel experience.
There are two companies we consistently use due to high-quality food, taste, excellent customer service, and timely delivery.
Factor75 Meals
The first one is Factor75 meals. Factor is a meal delivery service that offers a variety of chef-prepared, ready-to-eat meals.
They offer a wide range of flavorful dishes that cater to various tastes and dietary needs.
The meals have a combination of sweet and savory, and sometimes a kick of spice in the dishes. You don’t have to be bored while eating on vacation!
You can also choose which meals fit your dietary goals, such as Keto or Low Carb.
We order our Factor meals in advance and have them delivered to our hotel, condo, or family member’s home.
It’s unbelievably convenient and a huge time saver, especially when on the go and there’s no time to cook nutritious meals.
Factor meals are a healthy & filling go-to option before hitting the slopes or the trails.
After a long road trip and wanting to avoid fast food at all costs, we have literally stopped at the Kum & Go gas station, popped these suckers in their microwave, and hit the road!
These meals are an absolute hanger-management solution!
Click here to find out how you can go about ordering Factor75 meals for healthy eating on the go.
Icon Meals
The second meal ready-to-go meal delivery service we swear by is Icon Meals. Icon Meals caters to individuals with fitness and wellness goals.
Many of their meals are designed to provide the nutrients needed to support an active lifestyle. We recently discovered this program while I was training seriously in the gym. I wanted to lean out more.
My eating habits were all over the board, and I needed something to keep me on track. There is zero time for meal prep during busy and often overwhelming work schedules.
What we like about Icon Meals is their super customizable and fitness-oriented program. You can create your own meals based on your macro goals (i.e.- protein/carb/fat intake).
It allows you to have total control over your calorie intake. Icon Meals are often lower in sodium and fat as well.
Nothing is better than feeling good while still eating delicious meals to eat healthy on vacation.
Click here to learn more or experience and taste what Icon Meals is all about! Your wellness journey doesn’t have to take a backseat just because you’re on vacation!
6. Load Up On Healthy Snacks
Let’s be honest: eating snacks on vacation is the BEST! The very first thing I do in the morning or even the night before is prepare snacks or small meals.
It is seriously THE number one way to eat healthy on vacation.
If you know it’ll be a busy day, or if there may not be access to food when you need it, this vacation task should take top priority.
Ensure that you keep nutritious snacks, such as nuts, seeds, fruit, yogurt, or protein bars. These can curb hunger when you’re on the go and distracted with having fun.
Do not, I repeat, do NOT pack little snack cakes and chips, expecting those to get you through the day. They won’t. And they’ll cause you to have a major blood sugar spike, then crash, and you’ll suddenly be ravenous.
Always keep a small, non-perishable snack like a protein bar or a piece of fruit in your bag for emergencies.
Also, pay attention to portion sizes to avoid overeating or under-eating. Eating the right amount can help maintain stable energy levels.
No one wants to be tired and sluggish on vacation!
7. Hydration- Drink More Water!
Sometimes, thirst can be mistaken for hunger. Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary hunger pangs.
This is especially important when you’re at higher altitudes, hiking in the desert, or just laying out at the beach.
Properly hydrating is the key to a successful day and also helps in advance if you sneak in a few (or a lot) of alcoholic beverages during your trip.
This is an easy one to add to your routine of how to eat healthy on vacation.
Be sure to carry a reusable water bottle like this one. It’ll be your best friend and the planet’s as well.
8. Stress Less
Yes, vacations are supposed to be carefree, fun, and full of laughter and good times. But let’s be honest, vacations (and family members) can sometimes trigger unwanted stress.
Stress can exacerbate feelings of hunger and irritability. Excessive hunger can cause us to be irrational and emotional.
When our blood sugar drops, our brain functions differently, and we can become different people.
Practice stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, exercise, or just walking alone.
9. Drink Less Alcohol
When we eat or drink in excess, our bodies are not used to overconsumption, which can spike blood sugar.
Be mindful of your body’s hunger and fullness cues.
Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re satisfied. Be mindful and avoid excessive sugars and refined carbs.
Sugary snacks and refined carbohydrates can cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, leading to hunger. Opt for complex carbohydrates and healthier sweet treats.
10. Get Quality Sleep
Quality sleep is so important regardless of whether you’re traveling or not. However, I know this can be really difficult to accomplish.
Delayed and canceled flights can wreak havoc on your sleep.
Lack of sleep can affect hunger hormones and lead to increased appetite. Aim for a consistent sleep schedule to support your overall well-being.
Travel with a sleep mask like this one. The best discovery we ever made when it comes to getting quality sleep at home or on the road was purchasing a sleep mask. This is a total game-changer!
We tried several different kinds but found this one on Amazon to be the BEST. It comes in a pack of 3 and can usually be found for under $10! It has an adjustable strap, is contoured around the eyes, and provides total blackout.
Total darkness when sleeping is crucial for the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles and promotes restful sleep.
Melatonin helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night.
It promotes deeper and more restful sleep, allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Insufficient melatonin production due to light exposure can lead to disrupted sleep patterns and poor sleep quality.
Creating a dark sleeping environment is a simple but effective way to support your body’s natural melatonin production and ensure that you enjoy restorative sleep so you can wake up refreshed to hit the trails without feeling the jetlag backlash.
11. Communication
This can be hard and sometimes embarrassing because you feel like a little baby that needs a feeding schedule all day; however, try to communicate to others your highs & lows and needs for eating regularly scheduled meals.
If you know you’ll be engaged in an activity that doesn’t allow for regular eating, plan your meals and snacks accordingly to avoid hunger.
Confiding in just one person in the group who can advocate for you, will lessen the awkwardness when you vamp out of an activity because you’ve got to go hunting and gathering.
If you’re traveling or with others, let them know if you need to stop for a meal or snack. Being open about your needs can help prevent hunger.
If you struggle with extreme hunger or disordered eating, consider consulting with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
Remember that hanger is a natural response to low blood sugar levels; however, you can avoid or mitigate its effects with proactive planning and mindful eating.
Prioritizing regular, balanced meals and healthy snacks will help you maintain stable energy levels throughout the day.
Conclusion
Remember, the essence of a truly rejuvenating getaway lies in relaxation and nurturing your health.
Whether you tried a new fitness routine, savored nutritious local delicacies, or simply embraced the tranquility of your surroundings and decided to take a mid-day nap, these healthy habits are meant to be more than fleeting moments.
Carry them back home with you as souvenirs, incorporating them seamlessly into your daily life.
As you reflect on the memories created during this wellness-infused escape, let them serve as a reminder that self-care knows no boundaries, even on vacation. Here’s to a healthier, happier you, both on and beyond your travels.
Jumpstart your travel planning with the Roadtrippers App. Apply Promo Code BTR5QTP to enjoy a $5 discount on your subscription.
Discover the ultimate tool for streamlining your vacation logistics and making the most of your valuable time off. Click here to give it a try now!
