You may have noticed that I’ve slightly updated my header to include my now 4-year-old twins. As they get older, I’m challenging myself to new healthy ventures in the kitchen and controlling temptations when we go out. And they do inspire much of my Nutri-Savvy prose.
With the passing holiday we were lucky enough to visit with my sister Heidi and her kids. Not only did the cousins have a great time swimming and playing in their yard, I got to take a tour of her abundant garden filled with lush veggies including 2 different cucumber varieties, 3 lettuces, basil, snap peas, corn, pumpkin, tomatoes (the best ever), and fuji apples. So our visit was not only fun-packed but filled with healthy delight. You may not be lucky enough to enjoy Nature’s perfect treats direct from the garden on your vacay, but you still enjoy a heart-healthy adventure whether near home or abroad.
You Can Eat Healthily & Enjoy an Amazing Adventure with the Kids
Guest post by Shannon Doherty
Booking a family holiday can be a tricky task to delve into. You are looking for a great time, but need to consider what is going to keep the kids happy and well-fed! It can be stressful to say the least; mixing kids with foreign cuisine and trying to keep everyone happy is easier said than done. Have no fear; there are loads of things that you can do to ensure everyone is entertained and enjoying making memories.
On your holiday, you can opt for a slower pace, or the faster, depending on the age range your family comes in and what your preferences are. The ultimate goal will be to ensure that everyone can experience the amazing adventure for what it is. You can take the adventure factor as far as you like; sail across oceans, or trek through jungles. You can find the most unspoilt parts of the world with activity holidays to suit everyone.
Family holidays abroad with children can make meals quite a challenge. The most obvious solution would be to go self-catering; this way you can control what your kids eat, ensure they are eating healthily, and ensure that they are going to like it! You don’t have to limit yourself though as long as you know what to look out for – you know what your kids like, so it’s the healthy side of cuisine that you can benefit from knowing about. And instead of mindlessly eating “junk” throughout the day, you can allow everyone a small indulgence as long as you’ve planned for it. Eyeballing a large sugary pastry? (Split it 4 ways - or – opt for one portion-controlled or bite-sized treat for the day).
We planned for a little ice-cream indulgence. The key message here: “planned and portion-controlled”. Healthy eating tip: smaller containers make your portions seem bigger. : )
Plan Ahead.
Planning is the best solution; research your destination before you go and find the best places to eat healthily used on other travellers’ reviews. There are thousands of reviews online about everything so you will be sure to find some great places to suit. If you can, try to plan ahead, then you can eat out without a worry. Planning ahead also means that you can keep a routine (and awareness) of your meals/snacks. “Impulse eating” may result in over-indulgence by the end of the day. It’s easier to get tempted by a large chocolate croissant followed by a scoop of gelato (and the next sugar-filled pastry that comes your way) when you haven’t planned for your next meal or snack.
Stay active.
Activity holidays are perfect for holidays abroad with children and can offer something to keep everyone entertained between meals! The best thing is, you can be active in any way you like; walking, cycling, sailing, cruising, safaris; you name it. The easiest option is to find a reputable operator online to ensure everything is covered and planned for you. Kids can be quite fussy when going abroad in relation to entertainment as well as food, but involving them in the choices from the point of booking will certainly go in your favour. Consider letting the kids be a part of the planning and the experience will be so much more enjoyable for everyone.
Seek fresh local produce.
If you choose the self-catering option, then try to get the freshest foods from the local markets. Avoid processed food where you can as they don’t tend to contain the vitamins and minerals your body needs and you can’t be sure what you are getting as the ingredients are not likely to be English. It’s easy to find fresh food; a little bit of meat or fish accompanied with some steamed vegetables and you can have a great family meal.
Family holidays abroad with children are a lot less hassle than you might expect. Head out on a safari holiday in Africa or a family adventure in China and find the healthiest options before you go. The possibilities are great; you can show your kids the world and have a great time doing it. See the world, the cultures, eat the local cuisine, and visit amazing attractions for the ultimate holiday.
There are so many choices for family holidays that can turn them into an adventure and stick to healthy foods at the same time. Forget the normal way to holiday, it is easier to incorporate adventure and great food, and find a trip that will be fun and exciting for the whole family.
Author Bio
Shannen is a freelance writer based in Denbighshire who enjoys family holidays abroad with children. A keen reader, and inspired by the authors of fiction, Shannen is an up and coming author. When not writing professionally; you’ll usually find Shannen spending time with her niece, if not looking for the best activity holidays for her next trip.
