Healthy Meal Hacks for the Holidays

Holidays are a unique opportunity to relax and get away from the stress of everyday life. Counting calories is not a habit you want to take with you, but surely you don’t want holiday time to ruin your fitness efforts. Here you will find some useful tips that will help you protect your health and well-being without missing any of the fun!

Healthy Meal Hacks for the Holidays

In this article, you will find some smart and realistic tips that will help you with your food choices during your holidays.

Don’t consume unnecessary and unhealthy calories while traveling

The longer the trip, the more likely you are to fill your body with unhealthy and unnecessary food. Whether on board a ship or in a car or a plane, the long wait only leads you to one thing: endlessly eating snacks to pass the time. Opt to drink water or tea and have some fruit or nuts with you for when you are actually hungry.

Drink plenty of water

You can take good care of your body in your daily life, but on vacation, it is easy to get carried away. A beer on the beach, a cocktail (or two) in the evening, and you forget all about water. Not drinking plenty of water is a big mistake, as water helps you stay hydrated and feel fuller. So always make sure you have a bottle of water with you – it will remind you to drink even when you don’t feel thirsty. A reusable bottle will save you money and the environment. This goes without saying, but of course, avoid drinking too much alcohol!

Always eat a healthy breakfast

Eat a good healthy breakfast daily, ideally containing one serving of dairy, one or two servings of bread or cereals and a healthy drink. For example, one serving of yogurt and a sesame bun. In case you were indulging in some heavy dinners, consider having a nutritious green smoothie. It is advisable to avoid croissants and baguettes. A couple of hours after your breakfast, you can also have a healthy snack, some fruit or a glass of fresh juice that will give you the energy you need to enjoy the day to the fullest.

Avoid fatty food and balance your meals

You don’t want to keep counting calories during your holiday, but it is advisable to avoid fried food, heavy sauces and unnecessary animal fats (such as crème fraiche). The easiest way to maintain a balance is to make sure you eat something light in the evening if you had a rich lunch. Usually it works better to have a light lunch with fresh fruit and vegetables and then enjoy something fuller on your night out.

Commit to eating veggies with every meal

Always accompany your dish with a seasoned salad to make it easier to feel full and get the necessary vitamins and nutrients. Wherever you eat during your holidays, try to fill at least half your plate with vegetables. You can savor all the local flavors alongside your veggies. This will save you, especially if you eat at a buffet and the food quality isn’t the best. Focus on adding more of the good things! Plus, when you are in an exotic country, fruit and vegetables taste delicious anyway!

Don’t miss out on snacks during the day

Since you are out and about all day long during your holidays, it is only normal that you need a snack every now and then. This is OK, as it will maintain your energy levels and protect you from overeating when you sit at the table. Always have snacks with you, such as nuts, fruits or toast, and don’t leave your body fasting for too long. Choose fresh fruit, rye crackers, crackers, cereal bars, unsalted nuts, and forget cookies, croissants, crepes, chocolates and other foods rich in saturated fat.

Don’t combine fruit with other food

Especially if you are visiting an exotic country that is producing delicious fruits, it would be a shame to ruin the effect by consuming fatty food along with it. Fruit is best eaten apart from other food because it digests faster. If combined with another foodstuff, it can cause digestive problems. Sugar facilitates the storage of fat in the cells and especially animal fat gets stuck in the system. For example, eating ketchup with your steak has that effect. And remember that eating fruit as a dessert after your meal isn’t really a healthier option for your body. It’s best to eat fruit on an empty stomach so that it doesn’t get to ferment. Even though fruit doesn’t go well with other food options, it’s essential to consume plenty, as they provide vitamins and minerals necessary for our cells, digestion and overall well-being.

Everything in moderation and don’t forget your exercise!

On your holiday, you will definitely have the opportunity to eat new and exciting food that you don’t usually eat in your daily life. This isn’t going to cause you any harm if it’s done in moderation, and especially, if it’s combined with exercise.
If you started thinking about your next holidays and you worry about your fitness, you should consider vacationing at one of the Fitness Retreats of eXtreme Fitness Cabarete in the Dominican Republic. They serve healthy food from the local farm, and they offer a variety of programs which include fitness classes, yoga, even plyometrics and calisthenics. The exotic natural environment is the perfect backdrop for a healthy recharge!

References

Eat Move Be, 15 Hacks for Healthy Eating During the Holidays, http://eatmovebe.com/tips-for-healthy-eating-during-the-holidays/

Self, How Registered Dietitians Eat Healthy While Traveling, https://www.self.com/story/how-registered-dietitians-eat-healthy-while-traveling

YuriElkaim, Food Combining Rules: The Complete Guide, https://yurielkaim.com/food-combining-rules/