Stay Healthy on Vacation: 7 Tips to Stay Fit, Eat Well and Save Money
7 Tips to Stay Healthy on Vacation
1. All good things in moderation. Here, more than anywhere else, is when the FBG strategy of “everything in moderation” comes into play. If you are vacationing in Louisiana, by all means eat the gumbo, and while exploring Italy you would be a fool not to sample the gelato. That does not mean you consume it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eat like you normally do, and sprinkle in the regional treats.
2. Beware “deals.” Resort areas keep in mind a traveler’s budget and often offer big portions of lower-grade inexpensive food just to get you in the door. If a meal only cost 99 cents, there isn’t going to be much value in it—nutritionally speaking, at least. Buffets, fast-food and the like might seem like an economical choice, but you always get what you pay for.
3. Get off the beaten path. Even just a few blocks away from a major attraction can make a big difference. Restaurants that cater to the locals usually have higher quality food and better prices. Remember they have return customers to worry about.
4. Splurge on lunch, not dinner. Finer restaurants sometimes offer many of the same entrees for lunch as they do for dinner but at a reduced rate. Spend your hard-earned cash on a decent meal, burn it off during the day exploring and eat a lighter dinner at night. Or consider splitting an entrée, you will save cash and not be tempted to over indulge.
5. Make it a picnic! Picnicking is another money-saving option for on-the-go travelers. Hit the local open-air markets or even the grocery store and pack your own lunch. Enjoy a fabulous view while you munch on a turkey sammy.
6. Focus on the experience. All of your meals do not have to be gourmet extravagances with food as the center of attention. For example, if engaged in the universal sport of people-watching while seated at a street side café in Barcelona, an ordinary bowl of oatmeal with fruit is gonna taste amazing, trust me. Savor the entire sensory experience, not just the eats.
7. If possible, ditch the rental car and walk or take public transit. You will see so much more and get in tune with the local vibe. We saved around $300 by not renting a car for a weekend getaway to Albuquerque and had a blast exploring all the nooks and crannies of Old Towne. A train rode us up the mountain to Santa Fe for a measly $3 a person, round trip. We wore ourselves silly, partied a bit and didn’t have to worry about the drive home. Nice, right?
Next: Putting the stay-healthy-on-vacation tips to use!