food bites.9c

NEW YORK -- Whether your family vacation includes a cross-country trek or just a drive across the county line, meal times often occur while you're on the road.

It can be a tough challenge for vacationers to resist the lure of too much fast food when cheeseburgers and French fries seem to be on offer with every mile traveled -- along with other frequent food-sampling opportunities, and those all-you-can-eat buffets.

Unwise food choices could all too easily turn your whole family getaway into one long and unhealthy too-much-to-eat buffet.

Here are some tips to help you enjoy your meals and still keep to a healthy eating plan when you are away from home:

Be wary of the all-you-can-eat buffet, reasonably priced though it may be.

Large-portioned, high-calorie buffets can be too tempting. Limit yourself to one extravagance a day, but splurge on choices from the ample selections of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Make wise food choices that add up to good health. It's best to review the entire buffet table before diving in. Remember that loading up will ultimately load you down.

Make preparations before you set out on weekend excursions that mean you're subjected to several hours of guaranteed driving.

Drive-through fast food may be a convenient cure for hunger pangs, but it's not always the best alternative. Stock up on emergency snacks like biscotti, graham crackers, gingersnaps, popcorn, pretzels or dill pickles.

Best solution: Keep a bowl of those perfect fast foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, within reach on long family drives. Pack small boxes of raisins, carrot sticks or peeled mini-carrots, and individual packets of flavored applesauce.

That way, whether your craving is sweet, salty or sour, you should be able to satisfy it with a healthy food choice. When you do stop at the drive-through, it will be easier to choose wisely.

Include food and scheduled meal breaks in your action-packed itinerary.

Most people want to get the most out of every minute while they're vacationing but forget to include enough time for that very important necessity, food.

Make sure you don't skip meals, or go without eating for long periods. People tend to overeat when they're extremely hungry. Balance your active schedule with thought-out meal stops throughout the day.

Beat boredom and fatigue on long cross-country drives with frequent stops.

Take plenty of short breaks at rest stops. Stimulate blood flow and revitalize tired muscles by stretching your legs, doing a few deep knee bends and walking briskly around the perimeter of the rest stop. Make the impromptu exercise a fun family activity for everyone to enjoy.