Spring break can be the optimal time for rest and relaxation. But if we’re not careful, spring break can throw us off our wellness goals. Temptation is everywhere: Whether it’s the snacks at the airport, the fast-food restaurants on the road, or even just being home all day, it’s hard to stay on track.
Tips for Having a Healthy Spring Break
Here are some of the top tips you can implement for staying on track with your health goals and feeling your best over spring break!
Stay Hydrated
It can be hard to get enough water when we’re not on a schedule. In addition, beverages like alcohol, soda, tea and coffee can worsen our chance of becoming dehydrated. Inadequate water can make us feel bloated, constipated, and possibly more likely to crave junk food. Make it easier on yourself by packing a refillable water bottle, making sure to fill it up every chance you get!
Move Often
Movement on vacation can be fun! Explore new surroundings on foot to see new sights while burning calories. Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes and exercise clothing. If staying in a hotel, try to fit in exercise in the hotel pool or hotel gym. Not traveling? An open schedule can be a great time to try a new class at the local gym or go for a family walk on one of the many local nature trails.
Avoid Skipping Meals
It can be hard to stay on track when we don’t have a set schedule. Plan to eat consistently throughout the day to avoid mindless snacking and overeating at meals.
Plan Ahead
As tempting as it is to improvise, it’s a smart idea to have a plan. Before arriving at a location, research local restaurants and grocery stores in advance. Find restaurants that have flavorful, light options to make staying on track enjoyable. Talk to the hotel about getting a mini fridge in your room and stocking it with healthy options from the grocery store shortly after your arrival.
Pack Your Own Snacks
We can all agree feeling hangry is no fun. Feeling hangry away from home is even worse. Packing snacks to have with you is a way to control hunger. Pack shelf-stable snacks like packs of nuts, trail mix, protein bars, low sodium jerky or no sugar added fruit pouches to reach for in between meals. If you’re traveling by car, pack a cooler filled with low sugar yogurt, hard boiled eggs, low fat string cheese and sliced vegetables to prevent stopping for convenience snacks.
Plan for Your Return Home
The same way we plan to eat on the road, we need to have a plan when we get home. It can be tempting to extend the vacation by eating out after we return home, but planning by having healthy meals in the freezer or some pantry recipe ingredients on hand can help save money and calories once your return home.
Find Balance
Vacations don’t happen every day and they don’t last forever. Eating habits may shift during this time, but it’s not permanent. Have fun! Give yourself a chance to try local foods and explore new options while also maintaining a sense of balance. This might include staying hydrated, moving more, or being mindful of how often you choose more indulgent items. For example, people may choose to have one indulgent meal per day while keeping the other meals closer to their usual goals. If desserts are a priority, limiting them to once per day or sharing them with others may help. If you anticipate eating more than usual, you might consider swapping in lower calorie beverages. Remember, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing!
For more ideas on healthy snacking on the road, pantry meal ideas, or other areas of nutrition, learn more about Avance Care Nutrition Services here!
