Paradise doesn't feel complete without a cold bottle of beer or a fruity blended cocktail, but consuming too many will significantly increase your daily calorie intake. A classic margarita, for example, contains several hundred calories. Fruit juices and soft drnks are also usually full of calories. Your best option is to limit yourself to a cocktail every other day while you're on vacation. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to curb cravings. If you don't like flat water, add lemon juice or a twist, drink sparkling water or iced tea.

Eating fruits and vegetables will help with hydration, keep you regular (from our friend fiber), and help you get the nutrients your body needs.

Barbecuying is a good way to eat healthy but pay attention with burger bread, mayonnaise, dressings, sausages.

A good way to avoid overeating while on vacation is to decide each morning which of your three meals will be your special one. Keep it to one indulgent meal a day, not three. One day it might be breakfast, the next dinner. Having one meal a day that is beyond your normal eating habits and higher in calories is fine as long as you’re not doing this all day. If you want dessert, try the small one!

Whether you drive or fly to your destination, it's hard to escape the presence of fast food restaurants. When you're in a hurry or have limited options available for meals (as is common during road trips), resorting to a value meal is all too convenient. Plan ahead when you're traveling. If driving across country, pack sandwiches and fruit in a cooler. If you're flying, you can almost always find a kiosk or store selling fruit, yogurt and packaged salads. It all gets back to making smart choices on the ordinary meals so you can take more liberties with dinner or dessert.

A vacation isn't an excuse to throw all of your healthy eating habits to the wind. Aim to still consume well-balanced meals and nutrient-rich foods while on vacation the majority of the time. By doing so, the indulgences you do consume won't be a big deal.