Vacation Vixen: Healthy Eating Tips & Tricks

I love to not feel like I need a vacation POST vacation, don’t you?! LOL. Don’t get me wrong, I have been there and done that in the past (way more than I’d like to admit, haha), I come back from my ‘vacation’ feeling sluggish and quite frankly, like $h%t and like I need another freaking vacation! And my wallet unfortunately will NOT allow for two vacations in a row, not yet anyways 😉 (wishful thinking?!)

Enter my new & improved way to vacation…

My new philosophy on vacations has been to be prepared, get in movement when you can and knowing how to navigate eating healthy when you may not know the exact options that will be available to you. For starters, check out my post on Healthy Travel Must Haves where I covered everything that I ALWAYS carry along with me when I travel. These few essentials really get you off on a good start.

I’m going to specifically get into how to eat healthy ON A CRUISE for you all – as I recently embarked on the most AMAZING seven nights on-board Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas. I feel as though I’m jaded now, as this was my first cruise, ever, and it was on the largest cruise ship in the WORLD – which was also brand new.

The floating hotel thing really set well with me. Not having to lug my bags around Europe and seeing multiple places was a GAME CHANGER. The cruise went from Barcelona, Spain with stops in Mallorca, Spain, Marseilles, France and then Florence, Pisa, Rome, Amalfi Coast and Pompeii in Italy. Talk about a DREAM trip, right?!

But, can’t I just go off-the wagon & cleanse when I get home?

TBH, the last thing I want to be doing is coming home from my vacay feeling as though I need to do something drastic like go on a juice cleanse. To get straight to the point: I DO NOT agree with anything such as that or any ‘quick fix’  – it’s not sustainable and honestly not great for your body. If you don’t believe me, check out this article from Huffington Post about detoxes and juice cleanses. But anyways, let’s get into how exactly to STAY ON TRACK, while also allowing yourself to indulge and enjoy! 

Starting off on the Right Foot…

1. Get Enough Sleep: This may seem really simple, or you may also think I’m crazy because you want to go out and party all night on vacation! Here’s my take on this: when you’re tired, your body searches for additional sources of energy and this can cause cravings that you normally wouldn’t have. For example, this study published by the International Journey of Obesity studied two groups of people, one group slept four hours a night while the other slept 9 hours a night. Those who had less sleep under their belt showed skyrocketing in the pleasure centers of their brain when they were given/shown junk foods. Moral of the story: get enough sleep, make better choices. I also loved staying on my same early rising schedule. This meant waking up between 6-7am each morning.  It allowed us to catch some AMAZING views at sea! 

   

   Enjoying the infinity hot tub during sunrise before our workout!

   

   Enjoying the infinity hot tub during sunrise before our workout!

   
   
2. A Satisfying Breakfast: This philosophy REALLY worked well for me on the cruise. You typically eat breakfast on-board the ship, so beginning the day with a well balanced breakfast was really key. But what is a ‘well-balanced’ breakfast? Your AM plate should include The Fab Four, as Kelly LeVeque of Be Well by Kelly says: 

   • We believe you should eat complete meals that elongate your blood sugar curve, avoid mindless snacking and ensure your body has the nutrients it needs to thrive. How do we do that? The Fab Four; the perfect mix of Protein, Fat, Fiber and Greens. 

   • Since you don’t have access to a blender while on the cruise, I came prepared with my trusty Gluten Free GG Crackers. Each morning, I would pair these with hard boiled eggs, scrambled egg whites or smoked salmon for protein. You could also see if the place you’re staying has a sprouted grain bread, which I also love. I would then add raw veggies such as peppers and mushrooms, for additional fiber and some fresh fruit. For a healthy fat, I would add one of my Artisana Organics Almond Butter Packets or add some avocado. I also had a Vital Proteins Beauty Water packet in my water and coffee of course each morning for extra protein and to keep me looking refreshed throughout vacation.

     

     Cruise breakfast goals – on board the Symphony of the Seas!

     

     GG Crackers, Vital Proteins Beauty Water, Smoked Salmon, Veggies & of course Coffee!

     

     If I drink a green juice, it’s only greens. This one was celery, cucumber, lemon and ginger. Always pair the greens with a healthy fat so you can absorb the nutrients!

     
     
3. Know How to Navigate the Buffet: A great rule of thumb (really in life), is stick with the whole, non-processed foods here. Think veggies, lean proteins, healthy fats, etc. However , this isn’t as simple as it sounds in the buffet world on cruises. If you can, scope out the steamed or raw veggies. In the egg department, hard boiled are the ideal culprit, but if you’re doing an omelette bar, let them know easy oil/butter!

Stepping off the Ship for the Day..

1. Be Prepared: What do I mean by this? Well, when you go on preset tours, you don’t necessarily know what the food options will be for your lunch. You also aren’t clear on when the next time you’re going to eat will be. I ALWAYS had NoCow Bars with me for a snack if needed. Also, being that our dining time each evening back on the ship wasn’t until 8:45pm. If I didn’t have a bridge snack I would’ve gone into that meal RAVENOUS – and that never turns out well. 
2. Indulge in Local Culture: YES, you read that right. If you thought I was going to tell you NOT to eat a Macaroon in France or to skip on the pizza, pasta and Gelato in Italy, you thought wrong! I’ll even suggest that you have some vino with your lunch – it is vacation after all. 
3. Portions are Key: That being said, I’m not going to recommend you eat an entire pizza pie and eat seven macaroons. I’m going to say, pair that a few slices of pizza with a huge salad, which are SO GOOD in Italy! You’ll be totally satisfied, without feeling regretful afterwards.

   

   Fresh pizza and a simple salad in Amalfi Coast!

   

   Enjoying a macaroon in Marseilles, France!

   

   Trying the Limoncello in Amalfi Coast!

   
   

Back to the Ship..

1. Get Friendly with Your Waiter: One thing that I LOVED about reserved dining times on the ship was that we had the same waitress every evening for dinner, and she was amazing. By the third night, she was bringing me an entire plate of steamed veggies. I would then pair them with protein and some other items!
2. Get Creative with Your Drinks: I can tell you this – a Piña Colada may SOUND good and like the ultimate vacation drink, but more likely than not, it won’t make you feel the best due to the high sugar content. If you’re into margaritas, order a Tequila Soda with fresh lime juice and add in a Stevia. This is another thing I ALWAYS carry in my purse to add sweetness when needed. Another favorite of mine is the Nedi Martini by Healthy with Nedi. Also – don’t forget to HYDRATE always!

   

   Walking around the streets of Florence – always moving!

   

   Staying hydrated with cucumber and lemon infused water!

   
   

Keep it Moving, Sister..

A very important thing to remember is to always stay moving, it’s a fun way to explore as well! On the days at sea, I utilized the gym and got in a quick sweat session. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, even just 10 minutes will do. Additionally, utilize the stairs whenever possible, and EXPLORE the ship – this will naturally get your steps in. Walking is HUGE on vacation and good to keep your blood flowing. Also – dance the night away, you are on vacation which means letting a little loose, right?!

Feel Vacay Ready Now?

One of the main principles here that I would like to really drive home is BALANCE is key! Don’t put too much stress on yourself, and ALWAYS listen to your body. Intuitive eating and mindful movements are always best practices. In my opinion, enjoying new experiences and places with people you love is the best part about it all.

Bon Voyage!

xoxox

Alysia (Purely)Pope