How to stay healthy on vacation

• Ali

We’re about to break up for summer. The dreaded GCSE exams come to an end and the summer is ours to play with.

For me that means fun, unexpected opportunities to socialise with friends, family and my gorgeous Arbonne team and an increased pressure on how to eat and stay healthy especially when travelling. That’s why it’s important to always keep some essentials with me at all times so I know I can feed myself when the beige breakfast buffet or BBQ table appears.

Here are my top tips for staying healthy on the go, all summer long.

If you’re tired of feeling like you've been hibernating inside and comfort eating all winter then now is the time to make some changes. Summer is here which means our energy levels will lift and we’ll have more opportunities to say yes to fun and fitness inspired activities.

As soon as I put a summer dress on I crave healthier fresh foods. There’s something in my psyche which links holiday meals to light bites and fresh salads.

You’ve heard about the fashion summer essentials – pack a bikini, flip flops, serong and a big hat and you’re ready to go, but what about if you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on holiday? I’m sharing my top summer essentials that will help you to eat cleaner, glow from the inside out, and shed any unwanted hibernation pounds.

Pack a protein powder

Summer should be all about feeling your best, which is why what you eat is super important. Following a whole foods based diet and steering clear of anything processed will give you the results you want. This is why I love to supplement my diet with Arbonne Protein Powder. It tastes amazing, is free of chemicals and fake sweeteners and is vegan being plant based, pea, rice and cranberry protein.

I like to include it in my diet by adding the vanilla protein to my daily smoothie. I have a whole host of recipes but in the summer love a light fresh feel with lots of fruits and spinach. I often use coconut water, lime juice, pineapple, and avocado (my recipe’s below!) for a really refreshing hit of summer. I’ll also mix it with my Phytosport After Workout recovery drink after a workout. The protein aids in muscle repair while the branched chin amino acids in the After Workout reduces inflammation and provides energy.

Supplementing your diet with a protein powder is also a great way to feel full. My personal favourite, Arbonne, will leave you feeling great—try it in your next green smoothie.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated on holiday, during or at the end of a long haul flight is super important. Not only will you get off your flight feeling so much better but you’ll have more energy throughout your holiday. I take the Phytosport Rehydration sachets with me everywhere. I have them beside the bed, in my hand luggage, in my purse so that I can simply pop one into a bottle of water and I’m good to go.

Bring essential snacks

If you have snacks that you love at home to hand you are far less likely to fall off the healthy living band wagon and get sucked into eating refined sugar between meals. I like to stock up on fresh fruit and veggies once I arrive at my destination, and always look for a farmers’ market to go shop at if possible. You’ll be amazed and what fantastic fruits and vegetables you’ll find and how helpful the stallholders are if you ask questions about preparation etc.

I also pack all natural almond butter or peanut butter to snack on – I love to add it to apple slices, homemade trail mix, granola and rice cakes are other favourites and I never go anywhere and I mean anywhere without my favourite protein bar. They fill me up and stop my cravings and taste great too.

Take a cute bathing suit

Just like a little black dress can take you anywhere, when you know you have the right beach attire you feel so much more relaxed and confident. Invest in a classic swim suit or a bikini that can take you from daytime pool to pool party and you have everything covered.

Pack a Probiotic

There’s nothing worse than getting an upset tummy while on holiday and having to take some over the counter product that makes you feel awful for the rest of the week. Make sure you’ve given our system a boost by adding a probiotic to your diet before you go and always take some with you too. My favourite is Digestion Plus. It’s much more than a probiotic. It’s a 3 in 1 product with a pre-biotic, probiotic and enzyme which helps support digestive health.

Make sure your makeup contains lip-gloss, primer, blusher and mascara

These are my go-to makeup items. Summer is all about showing off your natural beauty and if you’ve been following my wholefoods eat for health plan you’ll have glowing skin. Show it off with minimal makeup. I often just add a base of Makeup primer, here’s my favourite, a splash of blusher, a bit of mascara and a lip gloss. Having these items means I can go from the beach to a dinner while still feeling confident and sexy in my own skin.

Stay hydrated with a 1-litre bottle of water

I don’t go anywhere without a bottle of water, especially during the hotter months. I like to aim for drinking at least 2 litres a day, so having a bottle with me is key to making sure I am hydrating my skin and maintaining my energy levels. I love the Arbonne bottle with its markings as I know that if I’m not at notch 3 by 11am I’m running behind and should get a wiggle on!  If you don’t like the taste of plain water try adding cucumber and sliced fruit, strawberries and mint leaves to your bottle. The fabulous colours in the water will naturally entice you to drink more.

Above all, remember to keep things simple and have fun! When you feel good from the inside, you’re more likely to be up for anything that is thrown at you including a date, party, new fitness class or work opportunity. Remember to focus on getting active outdoors; eating unprocessed, colourful wholefoods and drinking lots of water. 

My Essential Summer Shake

I love this smoothie as it’s high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and healthy fats and is completed with the protein your body needs. You could add a pinch of turmeric and a piece of fresh ginger for an anti-inflammatory twist!

Ingredients

• 1 serving Arbonne Vanilla Protein Powder
• 1 handful spinach or kale
• 1 cup pineapple
• 1 cup filtered water or coconut water
• ¼ avocado
• Juice of 1 lime
• Handful of cacao nibs (optional but does add a nice crunch to the top)

Preparation

1. Add all ingredients and ice to a blender.
2. Blitz until smooth!
3. Top with cacao nibs for an extra crunch and nutritional boost.