Sizzling sun, soft breezes, refreshing rain…summertime not only draws us to the outdoors, but it is also a time for families to get-away and enjoy each other on vacation.  At least with us there is always a slight anxiety surrounding get-aways when it comes to the food; if you are trying to eat healthy, and especially if you have specific dietary restrictions you may feel the same way.  Not only do restaurants and fast-food joints add extra ingredients to their dishes that your body may not be used to, but they add a hefty price as well!

Part of living healthfully is learning not rely on other people (aka the food industry) to supply your food.  Sure, it’s easier to say “the heck with it” and just eat whatever, but by the end of your trip your body may be screaming at you from the inside out!  No matter how healthy we try to eat while traveling, our bodies are typically begging for a big plate of veggies by the time we get home.

Nonetheless, vacations and weekend trips are a part of normal life.  So how do you avoid skin breakouts, gaining weight, being bloated, and feeling completely nasty while amongst your travels?  The answer is Preparation and Planning.

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Stratford, Ontario Canada and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast.  With no refrigerator or means of preparing our own food, we resorted to eating out most meals

Tips for Travels and Eating Healthy While Away:

1. Check restaurant options and menu’s on-line ahead of time.  I did this for our trip and made note of several restaurant’s that offered gluten-free menu’s and fresher ingredients.  It helped because I had already taken a few minutes to compare prices and meal options prior to going, saving us time, money, and from eating pub food all weekend.  We even managed to track down the local farmer’s market! (Of course)
2. Wisely Explore the Food Culture.  For us anyway, the food is typically the most exciting part of the trip.  Foods speak to the culture of where you are, and I would never tell anyone to not take part in that.  You can, however, make wise choices, such as sharing desserts or less healthy meals, and not over-eating.  Also, choose a food when you really want it/can have it, but don’t think just because it’s vacation you should eat EVERYTHING!  Gluttony still applies to vacation. 
3. Take Snacks with you
   1. Fruits such as Apples, Pears, Grapes,
   2. Homemade energy bars
   3. Nuts (Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts)
   4. Dried Fruit-Raisins, Apricots, Prunes, Berries, Banana
   5. Carrot sticks, Celery, cut up peppers or dehydrated veggies

So I wanted to come up with some snacks that would be filling and delicious, yet also provide nutrients.  Chips, for example, are a waste of time because the only thing they fill you up with is junk.  Instead of stocking your bags with junk-food for the car ride, bring healthy snacks that will make you feel good while gone!

We have a tendency to mindlessly eat snack foods (can I get a witness??), so this time I packaged them into pre-portioned baggies for our trip, which worked out beautifully and made the snacks last!!

Here’s what I made for Snacks (click for recipes):

• “Trail Mix” with the honey cinnamon garbanzo beans, raisins, and unsweetened coconut chips (add almonds or walnuts if desired)
• Fruit Chips (dehydrated Fruit)  You can use bananas, apples, melon, pears, mango’s.  Cut into large chunks and dehydrate in a dehydrator or roast with coconut oil to dry out.

Be creative when traveling & practice eating healthfully in every situation!