We’re talking fruits and veggies people! With the holidays
winding down, I’ve realized that everything I’ve been eating this past week has
not been the healthiest. As I had
just ordered a fajita quesadilla at a local Mexican restaurant, I started
thinking about getting back on track with my nutrition. This is the same
problem I always have on vacation, even right now when I’m not actually
traveling anywhere. I’m sure I can’t be the only one, since the number one resolution
is to eat better and get in shape. With so much goodness available, it’s hard
to say no and choose something healthier than everything on the menu that looks
SO DELICIOUS.
Amazingly, it’s not hard to work fruits and vegetables into
your travel diet. Think of it as your mission each day. Make it fun. Try new
foods in order to get them incorporated into your meals. So, how to do it on a
budget? Believe it or not, it’s not that hard.
Farmers’
Markets are where it’s at! I love an open-air market, whether it
showcases antiques, handmade goods, vintage clothing, food or all of the above.
Markets that sell food are fantastic, because they have super fresh, local
produce. Usually you can try new foods at fantastic prices and not even realize
how much goodness you’ve eaten. When in Hawaii this year, we stopped at a
roadside fruit stand and picked up a big bag of fabulous new fruits, like
dragon fruit, apple bananas, papaya and coconut. Not like I’ve never had papaya
or coconut, but I never buy it at the store and just cut it up and eat it. But
seriously, dragon fruit? How can you pass up trying that? And yes, I said apple
banana. It’s a banana that kinda tastes like an apple. Intriguing!
Eat
local. Local is almost always cheaper. If traveling in a foreign
country, look for restaurant signs written in the local language (assuming you
aren’t in an English-speaking country). If you can’t find something like that,
just go a bit off the main path and look for the busy dining establishments. If
it’s packed, you know it’s delicious!
Go
shopping. Always have a stash of fresh items on hand. The first thing
I do when I arrive at my destination is scope out the nearest grocery store. I
also bring my own reusable shopping bags(s), because they are so useful for
things besides food. We stock up on diet soda, bottled water and fast and easy
foods that can be eaten in the room or on the go, like granola bars, bananas,
apples and whatever local snack I’ve never seen before and must try, or treats
I’ve had before, but usually can’t find at home. Jaffa Cakes anyone?
Order
an appetizer. Want something not so great for you? Order it as
an appetizer or two and then split a healthier entrée with a travel companion.
You can do it the opposite, too. If you find something totally divine on the
menu, then order a salad to start or something chock-full of veggies, like a crudité
plate, stuffed mushrooms or similar. Now, I know stuffed mushrooms aren’t the best for you, but they are mushrooms! Get creative, but don’t
try to justify how baked potato skins are actually a vegetable. As wonderful as
they are, you might as well just eat a deep fried stick of butter.
Look
for vegetarian restaurants. Even if you aren’t a vegetarian, it doesn’t
mean you won’t find anything to your liking, plus all veggies! I am a fan of many a vegetarian dish. In fact, I
sometimes buy vegetarian meats at home, like the awesome products from Quorn. I love, love, love their cranberry and
goat cheese chik’n cutlet. So yum! Also, have you ever tried a soy ham and
cheese sandwich? You can’t even tell it’s not ham. If they can make h’am taste
like ham, then I think they make almost any vegetable taste awesome.
Hopefully, these tips will help you eat better and feel
better when you make it back home. Eating healthfully on vacation can give you
the motivation to continue to do so once you get home. In the next week, in keeping with New Year's resolutions, we'll be talking about how you can take an exercise program with you on vacation.
