Vacation is all about taking a break and trying new things. And while there’s nothing wrong with tucking into a bowl of pasta alfredo or eating ice cream after a day at the beach, the souvenir you don’t want to bring home is the extra weight you worked so hard to shed before your big trip.
Between eating out, celebrating special occasions, and your hotel’s complimentary piña coladas, it’s dangerously easy to leave your nutrition-savvy self at home when you go on vacation. You don’t want to feel sluggish and weighed down on that kayaking tour you booked or tempted to tear open a bag of candy for lack of options at the airport, so use these tips to stay on track to meet your personal health goals while making the most of your vacation.
Pack more snacks than you think you’ll need.
Packing a lot of snacks is key to keeping your regular diet while traveling. Having healthy, non-perishable foods like nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, protein bars, or jerky on hand will allow you to reach for wholesome foods you like instead of settling for “what’s around.” If your vacation is chock-full of activities, eating a snack or light meal every 2-3 hours will keep your metabolism revved and energy high so you’re not tempted to overeat later. Need to restock on healthy snacks halfway through your trip? Our cold-case and shelves are overflowing with nutritious (and delicious) options.
Don’t skip breakfast.
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” may sound like an old wives’ tale at this point, but some sayings have lasted so long for a reason. Eating a healthy breakfast can boost your metabolism and help stave off low blood sugar for the rest of the day (meaning you won’t be as tempted to swing through a drive-thru at 11 a.m.). Research also suggests that you’re more likely to burn more calories throughout the day after eating breakfast than you are by skipping it – negating any benefit to consuming fewer calories.
Scope out the restaurant scene in advance.
So long as you’re booking dinner reservations, find restaurants near your destination that offer healthy meals and beverages. Create a running list of salad spots and smoothie bars so you can spend less time stressing about finding somewhere to eat and more time enjoying your day away.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
And just for good measure, we’ll say it one more time: hydrate. How much water you drink is just as important as the foods you eat if you’re looking to stay healthy while traveling. If you’re taking a summer vacation somewhere with a hot and humid climate (like the Lowcountry), not drinking enough water can lead to fatigue, headaches, and skin problems – along with other serious side effects. Fresh water is the simplest way to quench your thirst, but certain fruits, like strawberries, peaches, and oranges, contain over 88% water. Choose from a variety of fruit smoothies at the Juice Hive, or opt for one of our cold-pressed juices for an extra dose of vitamins and minerals.
Not only do we love our local businesses, we also love it when y’all come from out of town to see us, too!
Stop by The Juice Hive Mon-Sat (8 am-4 pm) and Sun (9 am-2 pm) to take a lunch break before hitting the beach or to shop our huge selection of healthy snacks.
