Take fruits and veggies
We never seem to eat enough fruits and vegetables on vacation. Sure, we can order carrot sticks as a side dish with dinner or grab an apple from the breakfast buffet, but it's nothing like having a refrigerator full of fresh fruits and veggies at home. Take fruits that don't need to be refrigerated, such as apples, pears or bananas. And if space is an issue, a bag of dried fruit will do the trick.
Take your own water
I recently went to an event where I paid $6 for a bottle of water. I could buy an entire 24-pack of bottled water for the same price! Lesson: Whenever possible, take your own water. It's important to stay hydrated, especially if you're vacationing in a warmer climate. Plus, when the kids start complaining about being thirsty, you can whip out a water bottle before they get fixated on that 32-ounce soda. You can also avoid running out of water by refilling your bottles at water fountains.
Indulge — but only sometimes
All families are different, but in my family we don't eat nutritious foods all the time. We do our best to maintain healthy habits, but we also like to indulge sometimes. And that's the key on vacation, too — to do it sometimes. We don't buy the kids a treat every time they ask for one (we'd be snacking all day long), but sometimes we do say yes. We're on vacation, after all.
Of course, your definition of an indulgence might be different than mine, so do what makes you comfortable. Maybe a shared dessert or a small scoop of ice cream might do the trick. Or seek out healthier options, like lightly salted popcorn or popsicles made with real fruit.
What are your tricks for eating healthy during family vacations?
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