Keep it in Perspective
Don't see vacation as a license to indulge in junk food. Before you begin to eat something, ask yourself: Would I normally eat this at home and if so, would it be worth the calories? There are healthy options almost everywhere these days. From a rotisserie chicken at the closest supermarket, healthier fast food choices such as grilled chicken or salads or frozen yogurt at a gas station, healthy choices really are within reach.Manage the Mini bar
The mini bar can be a location for dietary (and budgetary!) disaster. Read labels if you do choose to treat yourself. Snack mixes and trail mixes can be surprisingly high in calories and the packages may seem small, but they often have more than one serving. Avoid oversize (even if not full size) bags of chips or "jumbo" candy bars. Protein bars, baked chips and nuts are good options. Check the hallway or lobby for a vending machine to see if any healthier (or more budget-friendly) options are on offer.When you leave, keep in mind your snacking needs for when you return to your room. Salad bars, soup, and deli counters are good bets for finding healthy treats. Use the mini fridge to stash snacks you pick up while you're out such as fat-free milk, string cheese, baby carrots or yogurt.
If you're feeling very vulnerable, simply surrender the mini bar key to the front desk so you can't open it in the middle of night when the munchies strike.
Rein in Room Service Temptation
If your hotel offers room service, check out the food options as soon as you arrive. Shrimp cocktail, fruit plates, low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat yogurt, soup, eggs with little butter, whole-grain bread or toast and grilled chicken salads (dressing on the side!) are almost always available.Breakfast can be daunting if you're tired from traveling. Don't wait until the morning when you are hungry to order. Order the night before or save money by hitting the nearest diner where you can order old-fashioned oatmeal, whole grain cereal, a fruit cup or something else light before you get going.
Use Restaurant Rules
Trying new restaurants is fun, but it can throw you a dieting curve ball. If you aren't familiar with a menu, look for a heart-healthy section or the heart symbol next to certain dishes -- if they qualify for this designation, you can rest assured they are the healthier picks.
And be sure to keep in mind all your normal guidelines for healthy restaurant eating, such as watching out for high-fat condiments (Vacation isn't the time to get selective healthy eating amnesia!).
More: Restaurant Rules
