Remember when vacations were for escaping the discipline of daily life by eating too much, being lazy and leaving healthy habits at home?
Well, many people today are using their leisure time to do just the opposite. With precious days away from a hectic and demanding work schedule that robs personal time to attend to health goals, the vacation is emerging as an opportune time to focus on fitness.
“I do think the old ‘brain-brain go away I’ll be good after vacay’ thought process is gone,” says registered dietitian Leslie Bonci, co-author of “Walk Your Butt Off.” “People bring health on their trips by packing stylish workout gear and perusing menus before they go away.”
Map out meals
Vacation planning often includes doing a little research to seek out the can’t-miss sights including nature tours, museums, historic wonders and unique musical entertainment. Of course, that includes finding the best spots to dine, too.
So, registered dietitian Jackie Newgent suggests, “Map out your dining destinations — potentially even your meals — right along with the rest of your itinerary. Browse available menus online in advance.” Ironically, she says often the places with the most travelers are the most accommodating to special diet requests.
“Whatever your feeling is about ‘tourist traps,’” she says, “frankly, you’ll likely find a greater array of good-for-you choices in locations that are visited by more tourists because they need to cater to everyone to continue to attract visitors.”
Of course, you want to be culturally sensitive when navigating menus in foreign locales. Asking for ranch dressing on the side in Provence is just asking for trouble.
Unless it’s a medically necessary request such as “no nuts” or “no shellfish” due to a serious allergy, Judith Rodriguez, professor of nutrition and dietetics at the University of North Florida, says, “Avoid being the ugly American by making crazy and difficult demands in restaurants; just pick the healthiest or eat less if counting calories.”
Registered dietitian Donna Shields has noticed this emerging health trend in her conversations with visitors in Key West, Fla., where she is a self-professed “southernmost nutritionist” and author of the “Caribbean Light” cookbook.
She says, “Why go on vacation to eat the same stuff you can get in any chain restaurant back home? Order the local seafood grilled, pan sauteed or anything but fried. Mango and other tropical fruit salsas can be a healthy accompaniment with lots of fresh flavor, few calories and a nutritious choice.”
Some vacation spots from the Mediterranean to California’s Napa Valley are meccas for healthful food choices.
During a trip to Portland, Ore., dietitian Judy Barbe says even snacks fell into the farm-to-table category. “The regional foods there made for some nice choices,” she says. “I bought hazelnuts, fresh cherries and strawberries at a roadside stand to eat while we drove the countryside.”
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