Summer
is upon us, and that means the season of amusement parks, beach
vacations, and family fun. Sadly, that also means greasy amusement
park food, restaurants, and general unhealthiness. How do you take
control of your eating while still enjoying your family vacations?
Here are five tips to keep your body, and your family members'
bodies, in beach shape all summer long.
1.)
When you are travelling to a theme park, encourage your family to eat
a hearty breakfast. The food at amusement parks is saturated with fat
and unwanted calories. By consuming a healthy, hearty breakfast
beforehand, you will save calories and money, since theme park food
is always highly overpriced. You will also be giving your family the
fuel that they need to have a good time at the park. However, if
you have to make a fast food decision
still try and think about what exactly is going into you and your
children’s systems.
2.)
Long drives and flights can put a damper on a vacation. Jet lag can
make you, and especially your kids, lethargic for the first few days
of the trip. Encourage your kids to nap on the flight or in the car.
For longer trips that involve international flights, try adjusting
your family's sleep schedule a few days before you leave. That
adjustment will make the first few days of your vacation much easier.
When searching for places to stay, keep in mind that many Orlando
hotels
offer quiet hours policies to ensure their visitors get a solid
night's rest!
3.)
Contrary to popular belief, frequent stops are a good thing during
long drives. Getting you and your kids out of the car for a few
minutes here and there can allow everyone to stretch their legs and
burn off the excess energy that can get stored up over time. Fresh
air is a great for the body, and it can make it much easier for your
kids to avoid meltdowns in the car.
4)
It is important to remember that airplanes are notorious for being
germ-filled environments. When on board, try to stick to bottled
water. The water
on planes has been under investigation by the EPA for E. coli
contamination
for six years. Dr. Charles Gerba, also known as 'Dr. Germ,' once said
that airplane bathrooms are among the dirtiest anywhere. Carrying
some Purell with you while you travel is a good idea. This is
definitely a case of 'better safe than sorry.
5.)
This may be common knowledge, but it is too important to leave off
the list. UV light can cause severe damage to the skin, and the more
often you burn, the greater your risk for developing skin cancer.
Make sure that your whole family is wearing sunscreen, at least SPF
15, and they should reapply at least every two hours.
While you never want to over-plan your vacation, remembering these tips will help to ensure that your trip goes smoothly. After all, what is better than a fun trip with your happy, healthy family?
Kendra Thornton is a former Orbitz Director of Communications promoted into the full-time position of Motherhood.
