We’re heading off on holiday soon. Warm weather, barefoot walks on the beach, sand castles, outdoor swimming pools, Tuesday night (or any night) cocktails and someone else doing the cooking for a full week. Bliss!
Over the last couple of years, we’ve managed to find ways of enjoying our holidays without coming home 7lbs heavier with red, itchy and inflamed skin.
Here’s our top tips to enjoy your holiday and be healthy without depriving yourself:
1. Plan your holiday meals
Use the guidebook before you go to scout fantastic restaurants you want to visit. If you know where you’re heading to eat every day, you won’t be tempted into places that serve food “just like home”, which is often just microwaved fish, chips, pizza and burgers.
2. Enjoy the local cuisine
Make a point of considering the local cuisine part of the experience. Most cultures have amazing local cuisine that centres around fresh fish, meat and vegetables. You really can’t go wrong with that. As an added benefit, eating where the locals eat is often much cheaper than restaurants that target tourists.
3. Take or buy healthy snacks
I always stow a few boxes of healthy snacks in my suitcase. It’s also a good idea to head to the supermarket on your day of arrival. Who doesn’t love wandering the aisles of a foreign supermarket? Stock up on some fruit for the hotel room and anything else that will fit in the minibar fridge for a little snack. We usually go for some natural yogurt, dried fruits like apricots and dates and bags of unsalted nuts.
4. Take a lunch box
I always make sure to take a lunch box with me. It’s great for packing up leftovers and picking up some snacks from the breakfast buffet for little ones to nibble on throughout the day.
5. Keep hydrated
Most of us are dehydrated at the best of times. It’s especially important to keep hydrated when you’re in the sun. Water is the best thing to drink to keep you cool so carry a bottle with you at all times. One of the things I love about holidays in the sun is watermelon. It tastes so much nicer eating it in the sunshine. Watermelon also has a high water content so is a good food to eat to keep your water levels topped up. Whatever you’re eating, be sure to order a side salad. You’ll be getting an extra portion of greens and lettuce and cucumber also have high water contents.
6. Stay safe in the sun
Take a lesson from our Australian friends and Slip Slop Slap Seek Slide.
· Slip on a t-shirt
· Slop on sunscreen
· Slap on a hat
· Seek some shade
· Slide on your sunglasses
For help choosing sunscreen, read my book Skincare for Acne-Prone Skin.
If you’re jetting away somewhere too then have a fantastic holiday.
