How to Eat Healthy on Vacation
- Handley Place Living
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
✈️ Real-Life Tips to Stay Healthy While Traveling
Whether you're road-tripping, flying international, or heading to a nearby beach, one of the easiest ways to stay healthy on vacation is to plan just enough.
On our recent family trip to Belize, I focused on keeping our meals balanced without skipping the fun. That meant prepping a few snacks, grocery shopping when we arrived, and giving ourselves grace while still feeling good each day.
Here’s how we keep our energy up and avoid the dreaded post-vacation “detox” feeling.
🥨 1. Pack Healthy Travel Snacks (for Car or Plane)
Whether we’re flying or driving, we always bring snacks. It saves money, avoids sugar crashes, and helps us feel our best while traveling.
Each of my kids gets a divided container in their backpack (I like this one from Amazon or this as a larger option) filled with snacks they each like:
Pretzels, crackers
Dried strawberries or mangos, fruit leather
Trail mix, granola
Grapes, carrots
For the adults, I pack:
Jerky
Protein bars
Mixed nuts
Hydration packets
💡 Pro Tip: Throw extra snacks in your suitcase to have on hand at your hotel or Airbnb. For road trips, use a lunchbox or cooler to pack fresh options like cut-up fruit, sandwiches, or veggies and dip.
🛒 2. Grocery Shop When You Arrive
The first thing we do after checking in? Find a local grocery store.
Even if you’re in a hotel, picking up basics like:
Fresh fruit
Yogurt or milk
Healthy snacks
Bottled water or juice
…helps avoid pricey room service or onsite "convenience food" and gives you control over what you're eating.
In Belize, we found small local markets like Marina's or Super Buy and fruit stands on every corner. The girls tried fresh mango, papaya, soursop, and plantains all local and delicious! Not only did this give them a cultural experience, but we saved money and skipped the overly processed options or foods tailored to tourists.
📉 Restaurant food tip: Even when meals seem “healthy,” studies show they can be loaded with sodium, added sugar, and oils.
🍳 3. Book a Rental with a Kitchen (If Possible)
Whenever we can, we book an Airbnb or VRBO with a kitchen. It lets us:
Make a quick breakfast or lunch
Cook simple dinners with local ingredients
Avoid wasting money on meals no one finishes
In Belize, we still ate out each day, but being able to cook at least one meal a day gave us flexibility and a chance to eat well-balanced meals at our own pace. Especially with us all waking at different times.
💡 If you have picky kids or a larger family, this also saves money and reduces waste. A kitchen means no guilt if someone doesn’t like the $15 kids’ meal at a restaurant.
🐟 4. Find Local Healthy Foods and Street Vendors
Eating healthy on vacation doesn’t mean missing out on local cuisine!
In Belize, fresh lobster, grilled snapper, and fruit juices were everywhere. Instead of hitting fast food spots, look for:
Seafood shacks
Street vendors
Farmers markets
Produce stands
Even if the grocery selection isn’t what you’re used to, you can always find something wholesome, fresh, and unique to try.
🧃 5. Yes to Ice Cream, But Also Balance
On vacation, we’re definitely saying yes to more ice cream, soda, and treats (and cocktails!) But I also make sure we’re still getting:
Protein at each meal
Hydrating drinks
Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables
Real food, not just snacks
Because what’s the point of vacation if you feel exhausted, bloated, or sluggish the whole time?
Our approach: flexible balance. Yes to the fun food. Yes to new experiences. But also yes to eating in a way that helps us feel good throughout the trip.
✅ Quick Recap: How We Eat Healthy on Vacation
Pack snacks for the plane or car (everyone gets their own snack box)
Grocery shop on arrival to grab simple staples
Stay in a rental with a kitchen if you can
Try local healthy options like seafood, markets, or produce stands
Balance treats with protein, fiber, and hydration
💬 Your Turn!
What’s your go-to travel food strategy? Do you have a favorite snack for the plane or a meal you always cook in your Airbnb?
Let me know in the comments — and don’t forget to follow Handley Place Living on Facebook and Pinterest for more family travel tips, snack ideas, and vacation planning checklists!
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