Is it possible to eat healthy when on holiday?

UAE's influencers share their thoughts

This is the most commonly asked question on my social media channels. For me, travelling is not just a holiday - it's something I'm passionate about and, fortunately, now, it is my work. I fly to a new place every 40 to 50 days and that is why it is so important that I stick to a healthy regime.
To be honest, it's doesn't take much; the first thing one needs to do is to clear the misconception that vacationing is a reason to indulge in junk food and a chance to cheat on your meals. A holiday is for the mind as well as for your body so, while you're seeking detoxification mentally, why not do so physically too?
Eating healthy on a holiday doesn't mean skipping meals or eating less. The trick is to eat small meals every two to three hours and keep the water intake up to a healthy level. Moreover, avoid excess sugar and salt in all forms - desserts, mocktails, sodas, chocolates, processed meat, chips and the like have to go. Try and pick up healthy substitutes for certain foods - like grilled meat over fried, fruits over dessert, fish over red meat, black coffee over cappuccinos, etc.
Most importantly, avoid flight food, it's the worst. I usually pack homemade rice pasta with veggies, apples, nuts or a brown bread sandwich when I'm flying. On holidays, I start my mornings with a wholesome breakfast of eggs/ oats/ granola/ avocado toast followed by a black coffee. My lunch is always a local meal minus the dairy and gluten. Two hours post lunch, I snack on fruits and nuts which I buy from local supermarkets and keep in my bag at all times. For dinner, it's usually grilled white fish with a side of vegetables or rice and veggies.
Apart from eating clean, it is so important to be active. Try and walk everywhere, go trekking, swimming, snorkelling or practise yoga on your holiday. Treat your body to a good massage instead of that pizza slice. Honestly, the body achieves what the mind believes!
- Sonam Lakhani (below, left)
Is the founder and editor of www.myhautelife.com. You can keep up with her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @myhautelife

Dieting? You mean to die happily eating? Sure! By this, you can probably figure out that I love my food. In fact, love might be an understatement. It is the main thing I think about when I wake up and before I sleep! So, let me tell you, I don't believe in the concept of dieting (perhaps because I am unable to follow one) - but I do believe in getting my dose of physical activity every day to maintain my weight.
I've always felt diets are like a set of rules - they confine you, and where is the fun if you can't break any? But when you travel, you're a free bird. I follow my heart and indulge in all the local specialties I can get my hands on.
I believe that the trip I am about to take is special enough that it deserves priority over your diet. I always promise myself to eat like a local and not just try everything but truly love every bit of it. Trying a country's cuisine isn't just about enjoying new flavours but also learning about their culture and traditions through their food. For example, last year, I visited Udaipur in India and tried their daal baati, a popular dish in Rajasthan comprising dal (lentils) and baati (hard wheat rolls). On enquiring, I discovered that this dish was popular in Mewar as its nutritional ingredients were preferred during war time.
If you're visiting a destination for the first and last time, ask yourself if you will be able to indulge in authentic, local meals if you are restricting yourself to a diet. If the answer is no, then it might just be better to enjoy when you're on holiday, and get back to a diet when you return home. It's so much easier to adhere to a diet in your home country - and you will always have good memories of the food you savoured while travelling.
The best part is that you don't necessarily have to gain weight when you travel because of the numerous activities you can line up. During a recent trip to Georgia, for example, I walked 20km straight when I went on a walking tour!
In the end, keep in mind the old saying - "You only live once. If not now... then when?"
Sachi Kumar (above, right)
Is the travel blogger behind www.wheresachi.com. You can keep up with her on Instagram and Facebook @wheresachi