How to Maintain Your Diet on Vacation: Proven Tips from a Cross-Country Book Tour
The highlights of a summer cross-country road trip, in order of delight, include:
- Windows down, music up
- Sunrises
- Sunsets
- “World’s Largest Artichoke” or UFO sightings
- Gliding your hand through the wind outside the window
- Car karaoke
- Audiobooks
- Snacks
From redwood forests to gulfstream waters, road trips across America offer majestic sights and adventures. Yet, it's easy to pair these experiences with indulgent snacks like Bugles, Twizzlers, jalapeño string cheese, In-N-Out, or Dairy Queen treats. As the author of the bestselling diet book "Calorie Accounting," I've learned why it's challenging to savor the landscape without reaching for kettle corn.
Dieting during vacation—whether a long drive, business trip, European holiday, or all-inclusive resort—tests healthy eating and weight loss goals outside your routine.
As I embark on a 21-day cross-country book tour in a minivan to promote "Calorie Accounting," the only humorous diet guide of its kind, I'm committed to practicing what I preach. Here's my expert plan to stay calorie-accountable on the road:
1. Stay Connected
With Wi-Fi access, control your choices. Most fast-food chains list nutrition online. Plan ahead: aim for breakfast under 250 calories, lunch under 350, dinner under 550. Subway salads range from 60-230 calories—ideal options (skip high-calorie add-ons like peanuts).
2. Bring Your Own Essentials (BYO)
Restaurant salads often exclude dressings, which can triple calories. Pack a cooler with low-calorie favorites: Wish-Bone Salad Spritzers (1 calorie per spritz), Athenos Fat-Free Feta (30 calories per serving), and Babybel Light Cheese (50 calories each). These elevate meals without excess.
3. Incorporate CAR-dio
Gym access may be limited, but movement is key to your calorie budget. Dance in your seat, sing energetically, or do push-ups, sit-ups, planks, and bicycle crunches in the back seat. Use large SmartWater bottles for bicep curls.
4. Go Green
Starbucks' "Evolution Fresh Sweet Greens and Lemon" cold-pressed juice is a nutritious 100-calorie option, available nationwide. Skip high-calorie Frappuccinos (even minis at 150 calories) and opt for green—a simple swap for sustained energy.
5. Not Every Night is a Celebration
Book tour events are professional gatherings at bookstores, not nightclubs. Celebrate responsibly with seltzer instead of sparkling wine to avoid extra calories and late-night snacking. Moderation keeps you on track.
This strategy won't guarantee weight loss but will prevent gains—a victory. I'll report back post-tour. Share your vacation diet tips in the comments!
Upcoming Calorie Accounting events:
- New Orleans: Friday, May 29 at 7 p.m., Hi-Ho Lounge
- Houston: Saturday, May 30 at 2 p.m., Barnes & Noble West Oaks Village
- Austin: Sunday, May 31 at 6 p.m., Barnes & Noble The Homestead
- Scottsdale: Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Pima & Shea
- Phoenix: Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge
- Silverlake: Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m., Skylight Books @ Red Lion Tavern
- Santa Monica: Saturday, June 6 at 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble Third Street Promenade
- San Francisco: Monday, June 8 at 6 p.m., Pause Wine Bar
- Portland: Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m., Annie Bloom’s Books
- Kansas City: Thursday, June 11 at 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble Zona Rosa
- Cincinnati: Friday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m., Kaze OTR
- West Chester, Ohio: Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m., Barnes & Noble The Streets of Westchester
- Orland Park, Ill.: Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble Orland Park Place
- Chicago: Thursday July 9 at 6:30 p.m., City Lit Books
See you on the road!
