Taking a trip, for any family, involves departing from the routine and regular eating habits.  I welcome this change and I know my children do too.  For me, it is such a relief to get a break from deciding on meals ideas and cooking.  But how do you embark on and manage to eat healthily on a vacation?

One of my all-time favourite things to do is to explore different parts of the world.  Right now, our family is exploring Quebec City – today we saw the old city, the harbour, Le Chateau Frontenac and the Funicular (the cable railway that connects the upper and lower town and shown in the background of the image above), the cathedrals, the incredible shops and Palais Royale.  I am already beside myself with excitement for tomorrow and the wonders that await us.

As many of you know, I believe that dairy (click here for my blog post with more information on this subject), wheat and chemicals, which form the basis of most people’s diets, are our worst enemies.  Many of you have heard me encourage families to dare to be different and eat foods that others are not eating so much of.

Here are some ideas as to some good-tasting, health-giving foods you can order in a restaurant:

• Boiled or scrambled eggs or an omelette
• Chicken, turkey, fish or seafood
• Goat cheese
• Rice or potatoes (some restaurants even serve quinoa!)
• Fruit or vegetables
• Various soups or stews
• Nuts and seeds

If you or your children have very restricted diets or are picky eaters, here are some healthy foods you can take with you on a trip:

• Cartons of rice, quinoa or almond milk
• Packages of rice or spelt crackers
• Rice, kamut or spelt cakes
• Rice or granola bars
• Various dips such as hummus, tofu spread, pesto (unopened containers can be carried in a small handheld cooler)
• Loaf of bread
• Almond or other nut butter and jam
• Box of cereal
• Cans of beans or soup (don’t forget a can opener!)
• Baby food jars
• Snacks – plastic containers of apple sauce, nut or seed bars, fruit bars, vegetable chips, “safe” suckers and chocolate bars, nuts, and cookies

Of course, if you are bringing these items, you will need to choose accommodations that have a kitchenette or at the very least, a fridge. A microwave would also be of benefit to those who use them.  There are even portable kitchen sets that are designed for families coping with allergies and available for purchase from www.nutritionforyourcondition.com. You can also Google the health food stores close to where you are staying, while you are away and purchase healthy foods there.

Whenever you are traveling, it is safe to assume that you will not always be able to find food for your child exactly when you need it, so bringing some food from home for snacks is always a good idea.  If you are flying, lollipops (made from maple syrup or Sorbees) or gum from a health food store are a good idea for children to suck on or chew to make taking off and landing easier on the ears.

And, if you or your child can handle treats, I highly recommend having one or two treat days in a week-long vacation (click here for my blog post with more information on this subject). You may even decide that you have treats every day of your vacation because it’s easier – and that’s your right!

For those of you that choose or have to eat healthier while away, your family’s trip can be every bit as safe, inspiring and memorable as other families’.  With these ideas, I hope your family’s vacation is the most enjoyable ever!

Please share your experiences. Here on my blog, you’ll get commentluv.  This is an opportunity to leave a link back to your own blog when you leave a comment.

Until next time,

Meredith