What Nutrition Experts Eat On Vacation

What Nutrition Experts Eat On Vacation

If you're a healthy eater who practices portion control, you know a vacation can put a dent in your healthy lifestyle. Whether you're kicking back and relaxing for a week or getting to know a new city, counting calories doesn't exactly sound appealing when you're trying to have a great time.

So, how can you have a blast on vacation without packing on the pounds? We consulted a number of nutrition experts, and they let us know what they eat when they leave town -- and, truthfully, it sounds pretty awesome.

Think nutritionists are skimping on fun foods, even on vacation? Joy Bauer, nutritionist for "The Today Show," certainly isn't. "I generally go out of my way to eat as healthfully as possible when I'm away from home -- but I allow myself something fun and indulgent each day," she said. "I try to make it indigenous of the area, so it's special and memorable, like key lime pie in Florida, a piña colada when I'm in a tropical setting, or clam chowder in the northeast."

Regardless of anything else she's eating on vacation, Katherine Brooking, MS, RD, makes sure her diet is full of fruits of vegetables. "Even when vacationing, I don't skimp on produce. I just buy more pre-washed, ready-to-eat options like ... pre-cut fruit cups sold in most supermarkets," she said.

Easing up on portion control on vacation isn't a bad idea at all -- just make sureevery meal isn't a huge one. "I either have a big lunch or big dinner, not both, and will snack on a granola bar or nuts," Elisa Zied, MS, RDN, CDN, and author ofYounger Next Week said. "I usually bring mixed nuts with us on vacation-cashews, pistachios, almonds, pecans."

Why not take advantage of being in a new place to get to know the local healthy cuisine? That's what Susan Mitchell, Ph.D., RDN, does. "Before I go, I ask around to find out about the best restaurants, local fare, farmers markets or fun places that give me a feel for the food in the area that I'm going to," she told HuffPost. "I always want to try local specialties. At the same time, I look for venues that give healthier options too such as salads, locally grown vegetables and fruits, or fish so that I continue to make smart choices and eat healthy and well for my body."