It's summer, which means vacation season! Yay!!! Here are some tips that have helped me approach vacations in a balanced and healthy way!

1. Look for healthier options. Often times it is a good idea to check the menu before visiting a restaurant. Look for meals that are broiled, steamed, and or/fresh food options!

2. Stick with regular mealtimes, and fill your plate wisely. Be mindful of portion sizes, avoid heavy sauces and stick with lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains!

3. Stay hydrated. Drinking water not only replenishes the fluids in your body, it keeps your skin hydrated, reduces junk-food cravings and helps fend off that bloated feeling from fluid retention. I like to bring a refillable bottle so I can fill it up at restaurants, or wherever I go!

4. Eat mindfully and savor your food. Take time to eat, to sit down and enjoy meals rather than skipping them or eating on the go. Slowing down and enjoying your meal encourages you to enjoy things you normally wouldn’t, while considering when you feel satisfied!

5. Choose a special treat once a day. Eating out often feels like a special treat, but when we’re traveling, it becomes an everyday occasion. That means, instead of indulging at every meal, consider eating nutrient-rich meals, and enjoying a special indulgence once a day.

6. Stay balanced. Balance its so much better than an all-or- nothing attitude. I never think, “I won’t indulge when I travel!” Instead, I enjoy the things I rarely things I would eat on an everyday basis at home in a balanced way, and return to a normal healthy routine when I get back home!

7. Bring plenty of high-fiber, high-protein snacks. If you're heading out on a long road trip, pack a cooler where you can store hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, and fresh produce. Eating balanced snacks between meals keeps your blood sugar stable, which helps prevent overeating and cravings during meal times!

Here are some other healthy snack ideas:

• Celery or sliced apples spread with peanut butter
• Fresh fruit
• Sliced veggies
• Single-serving containers of almond butter, hummus or guacamole for dipping.
• Nuts or homemade trail mix.
• Protein bars, shakes or packets of protein-powder you can mix into water or milk.
• Hard-boiled eggs.
• Plain Greek yogurt with granola or fruit.
• Individually-wrapped string cheese.
• Protein bars with real-food ingredients.
• Low-sodium turkey jerky.
• Popcorn
• Homemade Dashing Dish snacks (no bake balls, muffins, bars, etc.)