Behavior Change and Health News
How Do I Eat Healthfully on Vacation?
The following article is reprinted with permission from Y Life magazine, a 40-page, bimonthly magazine for adult YMCA members at participating YMCAs. The complementary Web site, www.ylifemagazine.com, contains articles from the magazine as well as supplementary content, health tools, and a store offering products to enrich your active life.
You've got questions, and we've got answers. In every issue of Y Life, our resident healthy-habits guru, Michele Guerra, provides solid and sensible information on how to live more healthfully.
Q: This year our family is taking our dream-of-a-lifetime vacation to the Grand Canyon. Can you provide some advice on how to eat healthfully while we are away?
A: Your trip sounds wonderful, and thinking about how to eat well in advance puts you ahead of the game. Let’s talk about creating a workable plan. First, ask yourself some questions:
- How much time will we be spending in the car?
- How often do we expect to be eating out and at what kinds of restaurants?
- What type of lodging will we have? Will we be able to prepare any of our own meals?
- What activities will we be doing? What opportunities for physical activity will we have?
- What situations might tempt us to eat poorly?
Then, plan around your answers. For instance, if you will be in the car for hours at a time, bring healthy snacks such as whole-grain bagels or fresh fruit. Plan places to stop on driving days where you can have a healthy picnic and enjoy some activity, such as a game of Frisbee.
If you will be eating out a lot, choose grilled or broiled entrees instead of ones that are fried or that come in a cream sauce. If you and your family order pizza, get it with vegetables instead of fatty meats, and ask for half the cheese. Ask for thin crust and, where possible, whole-wheat crust. You should be vigilant about portion control.
One last thought: All foods fit in moderation. The occasional splurge is OK, but be careful that your splurges are the exception rather than the rule.
Bon voyage!
P.S. Two books that may be helpful as you plan are Healthy Eating Every Day and Eating on the Run. Both are published by Human Kinetics.
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