Eating sensibly while on vacation

"Eat lightly and drink alcohol prudently when you begin your vacation."

That wise advice comes from an experienced travel guide who reinforced what I already know.

He went on to explain that people get carried away in a new location and go full-out forgetting that in the case of their stomachs, it takes time to adjust.

Likewise, water is essential for hydration, and especially in warmer climates. Bottled water is often the safest route in certain countries, too. Hibiscus tea- hot or iced - with a small amount of maple syrup helps, as well, to replenish the body with important nutrients.

A carton of local yogurt for breakfast gets your body acclimated to different types of foods than you normally eat at home.

My suggestion is to stay away from green salads, and select fresh fruit instead from a hotel buffet table when traveling internationally. Use your own judgment here in the United States.

Street food is another matter. There are pros and cons, and the more experienced you are traveling, the better you will be able to consider all the factors. There is no single definitive answer. I've seen people so careful in their eating habits get gastrointenstinal ailments that put them on their backs out of commission. Likewise, I've seen people very free in their eating never get a stomach ache. Go figure.

When I eat locally grown foods when I am traveling, I find that my body is satisfied.

When I was in Central America, I took advantage of the fresh fruits. Natural watermelon juice became my favorite.

A vacation is not the time to be stringent on your diet. Go out and have fun with food.

Keeping an open mind when flying

Fact: Every experienced traveler will say that the travel days are the hardest ones of the trip.

If I want to continue exploring the world, then I have to make the best of long airport waits, delays and hussling between gates. The other night at Hartsfield Atlanta Airport my gate changed 3 times, and that meant different concourses via the train system, which fortunately is very efficient. Add into the equation that I was on the last leg of my journey home and that I was dead tired didn't make it any nicer. I kept the proper attitude and figured that I added an additional two miles at least into my daily walking routine and found a lovely restaurant for a meal with a glass of wine. That was a win-win in my books.

The tug and pull of getting all the carryons into the overhead bins is another more recent phenomena in flying as folks try to manage luggage without paying the fees. People are forever asking me to give up my space - my carryon is compact on purpose - and put it under my seat so that their bulky one can have room. On long flights I am not so agreeable as my legroom will be limited and I feel that is an imposition. People tend to get pushy and agressive while traveling, and I find that I have to "stick to my guns" so to speak in return.

It's best to put on my headset immediately upon settling into my seat and cancelling out unwanted conversations and commotion. Boy, do I sound like a curmudgeon. Not so. I do it to get into flight mode, plan my sleep time and play relaxing music for a pleasant atmosphere before takeoff. See. There is a method to my drill.

On travel days I make sure to wear comfortable clothing for sitting on a plane -forget the tight stylish pants that I can barely snap - and slip on shoes primarily for TSA checks. A neck scarf to ward off extremes of cabin temperatures is handy. I'm still working on finding the best pillow. I saw one - it wraps around the neck like a small towel - used by a fellow traveler that looks that it might be the solution. My purse becomes my arsenal with all the essentials including my phone with airline apps - I check them for workability and know my passwords before I leave on a trip - for keeping updated on gate changes and information on my luggage transfers.

Finally, I remind myself that I should read all the signage in an airport first - I study airport layouts before I leave home -and secondly, ask questions if in doubt. It works every time.

And my last piece of advice: Don't let the mere thought of what I have said get the best of you.

Travel tips for the exhausted

Traveling can become grueling if you don't take care of yourself. Here's some advice that might help:

1. Snacking properly in the middle of the day helps stave off hunger and gives an extra bit of energy.

2. Keeping hydrated in warmer climates is essential day and yes, at night, too. Hibiscus iced tea could very well do the trick in place of water at a midday meal.

3. Replenishing with electrolytes in tablet and in drink form can make all the difference when hiking.

4. Using a Co2 booster tablet for higher elevations makes you more comfortable.

5. Placing a bandanna around your neck and wetting it periodically keeps you cool.

6. Watching how much alcohol you consume during the day in warmer climates, and selecting natural fruit drinks instead is wise. I lived on fresh watermelon and mango drinks in Central America.

#internationaltravel #traveltips #hiking