10 APR 2018:  Some travel to far off places to see monuments and museums, and for others, travel is motivated by food or culture. I fall into the latter category, with extra emphasis on the food. Travelling to a new destination opens our minds and our stomachs to new and exciting options we don’t have access to back home. This typically means our routine diets are put on pause in favour of the cream-filled flaky goodness from the local patisserie – because, of course, calories don’t count on vacation.

While many embrace excess on these unique life experiences, sometimes it’s nice to have some tips in your back pocket to help keep things in balance so we can feel energized and make the most of our time.

Here are my go-to tips for finding your health balance on vacation.

Sleep

Home or abroad, I always try to prioritize sleep. But flying, crossing time zones, and exploring a new and unfamiliar place is taxing on your body. Do what you can to ensure proper quality rest and don’t shy away from a quick 15-minute power nap. If it gives you even an extra half hour out on the town later on, it’s worth it!

Prepare your own breakfast

You’ve heard it from Mom for years already, but I will remind you again. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A good breakfast can help fuel your fun-filled day of activities, and keep your diet from flying completely off the rails — not to mention it could also save you a few bucks. If you can find accommodations that have kitchenette options you have more flexibility to get creative with healthier meals. No kitchen? No problem! A local grocery store usually has instant oatmeal packets that require just a bit of hot water. Keeping fruit handy is another great tip for nutritious snacks that are great for on the go, and require no refrigeration.

Green Supplement

Trying to maintain your vegetable consumption is a health tip regardless of where you are. But no one has ever returned from vacation wishing they had another boring house salad when there were oysters Rockefeller on the menu! Taking a green supplement removes some of the guilt of going for the double baked potato instead of vegetables. You get your greens with a little bit more freedom. I’m on a bit of an algae kick and recommend either chlorella or spirulina for comprehensive nutrient coverage. When traveling my go to are the tablets or capsules that you can pop whenever. Take them in the morning with your breakfast to ensure you don’t forget.

Hydrate!

Our bodies are 70% water. Fuel accordingly! Water is so essential for fighting fatigue, headaches and supporting overall body function. Always bring a water bottle with you on your day trips and activities to keep your brain and body feeling sharp. Maybe you’ll bring home some better quality memories while you’re at it!

Walk

Walking is great for your health and one of the best forms of exercise that every one of us can do. It is one of the best modes of transportation in a new place and a great way to explore and immerse yourself in the culture of your destination. Not to mention it’s also a nice way to burn off that extra large serving of paella you had last night.

Stretch it out!

If you’re not used to long walks in your home routine, it is important to stretch your body daily to keep you from the pain of a 5 km walk you had no prior training or proper shoes for. I recommend before bed because you get the added benefits of relaxation and sleep. I particularly like forward bends that help to release any tension that may have accumulated in the lower back. Leg stretches and over-head shoulder stretches are helpful too. Your body is designed to move, you just can’t go from zero to one hundred and expect no pushback from your muscles.

I may be a nutritionist but I always try to prioritize the quality of my life over the quality of my diet. While you cannot maintain a high quality of life without good healthy food, there is more to being healthy than what you’re eating, so if food is what brings you joy, then go for it!

As they say, when in Rome, don’t stay in your room to eat a salad by yourself … or something like that.

So, get out there and make the most of the travel experiences that you have worked so hard for. Just try to balance it out a little bit so that your trip isn’t hindered by a stomach ache or bad indigestion. While sometimes unavoidable, you can repurpose those ginger pills you brought on my recommendation for motion sickness, they are wonderful digestive aids as well!