A vacation is phenomenal for your mind, body and soul, but not for your waistline! Taking a week off of work can feel like a free pass to indulge in all the food you possibly can. By the time you're back at the office, the weight you gained can be terrifying. 

Luckily, you can actually eat healthy(ish) on vacation while still having fun -- and you don't even have to skip dessert! Live your best life on the road, by the sea, or in the air with these vacation eating tips:

Be smart on the airplane

Most people snack on the plane from shear boredom. But, airplane food is overpriced and usually loaded with salt, so stuffing yourself on the flight will just start your vacation off on a bad note. Instead, skip the $16 bags of Lays potato chips at the airport newsstand and eat a pre-packed snack, such as: homemade trail mix, a turkey sandwich, fruit, dark chocolate, a grilled chicken wrap, or quinoa and bean salad.

Use your hotel to your advantage

Part of traveling includes dining out and trying new foods. By no means is this discouraged,, but chances are, you’ll be consuming unnecessary calories and spending more money when you’re dining out in comparison to eating at home.When you have the ability to cook for yourself, you have more control over what you’re consuming and have the option to prepare something healthy.

So if you're staying at an Airbnb or a hotel with a kitchenette, stock up on eggs, sausages, whole grain toast, and fresh fruit for simple breakfasts. Eating something nutritious in the morning will keep you feeling great throughout the day and will likely encourage you to continue making healthy choices throughout your trip.

But if you're staying at a hotel that offers a complimentary continental breakfast, go for it. Just make sure you choose foods low in sugar to avoid an afternoon energy crash—unfortunately, that means skipping those fluffy Belgian waffles. Cheerios, yogurt, fruit, eggs, and whole wheat bread with peanut butter are all good choices. Grab a few pieces of fruit to snack on throughout the day, or even make yourself a PB&J sandwich to stick in your daypack. That way, you can avoid spending extra money on unnecessary and unhealthy snacks.

Hydrate

Chances are, you’re doing a lot of walking or exploring when you’re traveling, and hunger can often be confused with thirst. So staying hydrated will keep your energy levels up and avoid unnecessary snacking. Hotels often have fruit or cucumber-infused water in the lobby, which makes a great beverage with which to fill a reusable water bottle. Try to refill it a few times throughout the day. Order water instead of soda at restaurants to save money and excess sugar.

Order appetizers and desserts “family style'“

Unless the restaurant serves the best damn olive oil and bread you've ever tasted, steer clear of basic appetizers you can order at restaurants at home. Same goes for dessert; skip the Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream—they sell that at a grocery store near you. However, if you're vacationing in Italy, for example, don't skip the bruschetta. But order it, plus one or two other native appetizers and/or choose one or two of the best-looking desserts with several spoons. This way, everybody at the table gets to sample all of the delicious options, and all the calories are disbursed.

Don’t take a taxi…walk instead

If you're able to and the destination is close enough, consider walking. Not only will you take in more of the sites, you’ll be getting additional exercise and burning off some of the calories from all the delicious food you've been eating.

Treat yourself

Traveling is going to offer you a lot of food options. Not allowing yourself to try or eat something because it’s technically not the healthiest option will only make you crave it more and will deny you of an opportunity to try something new. If there’s something you really want, allow yourself that experience and consider making  up for it elsewhere.

When you get home from your trip, step on the scale, and don’t like the few extra vacation pounds on your body, click the button below for a complimentary assessment with a Success Studio personal trainer. We’ll get you back on track so you can have the body you want for your next vacation! Do you have any additional eating tips for when you’re on vacation? Let us know in the comments section below.