Are you one of those people, like me, who likes to stick to a routine while on vacation and not just completely take a dive off the macro deep end?
If so, there’s lots things you can do to prepare ahead of time!
Some of these things are so simple, you may not have realized how little time it takes or that it’s even possible to do!
Are you flying or driving?
Do you have access to a kitchen or just a small fridge and microwave?
Are there grocery stores nearby?
These are all things you will already know ahead of time that will make planning easier!
Means of Travel
How you’re getting there matters!
Driving definitely offers a lot more options as far as what you can take.
You can pack a cooler with ice and pretty much take anything you need.
You can freeze prepped meals ahead of time to take, or use one of the many online meal services available as many of these come frozen.
Taking a few prepped meals will offset some of the eating out that WILL happen.
I like to take prepped breakfasts to ensure I’m starting each day the way I like, plenty of protein, some veggies, and healthy carbs!
If you’re flying, you are more limited.
However, many people don’t realize that you can fly with food!
That’s right, you can use one of your carry-ons as a meal prep bag!
The major restriction here is liquid, otherwise I’ve carried on meals and snacks for a whole weekend away. This also saves you some money, which allows extra for other adventures!
What Resources Are You Working With?
Full kitchen? Sweet!
Not only do you have to pack less, you can order your groceries ahead of time, and schedule them to be there when you are!
InstaCart is AH-mazing.
Maybe you plan on dinner out every night, but having your own food choices available for breakfast, lunch and snacks is huge.
Only and fridge and a microwave?
You can work with that too, but it does require a little more planning ahead. You’ll need to pack meals in smaller meal prep containers, or have everything prepped so it just needs reheated, which is where the frozen meals come in handy.
Prep & Pack (Easy Edition)
○ Oatmeal: Using meal prep containers, portion your dry oats, add protein powder, dried fruit, chia seeds etc… Just add water, heat and eat!
○ Veggie Wraps: Add hummus, lettuce, grilled chicken or tuna, etc…
○ “Adult Lunchables”: Okay, these are my favorite for longer flights! Grab a sectioned container, or use small snack baggies, fill it with chopped veggies, hummus, pretzel thins, bite size cheeses, fruits, nuts… the possibilities here are endless and FUN. These are fun for the beach too!
○ Snack-Sized Bags: Portion your own snack bags of just about anything from jerky, to raw veggies, and fresh fruits.
○ Protein Powders: For protein & other supplements, use 2 oz portion cups, or snack sized baggies, as many as you need for each day, then place in the shaker you plan on using!
Eating Out.
It’s inevitable.
Unless you’re on vacation alone, you’ll want to eat out with your friends or family.
Don’t make it weird.
You can look at menus online to see what they have to offer, especially if you’re vegetarian or vegan.
No, you won’t be able to log things exact if you’re tracking, but you WILL be able to make smart choices. That’s what matters.
Restaurants are notorious for over-serving.
When your food comes, ask for a to go box right away, put some in the to go box, and you win.
You don’t over eat, and you have lunch tomorrow.
Don’t be afraid to make special requests. If you don’t want your veggies soaked in butter, ask for them to be just steamed. If you don’t want your salad drenched in dressing, ask for it on the side. It’s okay to be that person.
Stay Hydrated
This gets overlooked the most when traveling.
Instead of grabbing the small bottle of water for the flight, grab the big one and make it a point to finish it.
Stay on top of it early in the day, start your day with an 8oz glass right away.
And if consuming alcohol, try alternating each drink with a water between!
It IS possible to keep good habits while on vacation!
And it’s okay to WANT to keep good habits while you’re away.
Don’t let the pressures from friends and family telling you to “just relax and eat whatever you want” make you feel like you’re “too strict” or “not fun”.
Do your thing, make smart choices, keep your routine the best you can for YOU.
If you have a particular goal, then what you do daily to reach them matters!
And remember…Don’t Diet, Eat!