"Healthy Summer Travel Tips"

I was recently approached by fellow blogger Kendra Thornton about being a feature guest poster on my blog.
Kendra has an extensive background in traveling and vacations so being an avid traveler myself, I have decided to feature an article by her.
The following was written by guest poster Kendra (bio at the end of post).  I hope you enjoy it!

Healthy Summer Travel Tips

Vacations are fun and exciting, but they can disrupt your family's routines and create unique challenges for parents.  Over-excited children can quickly turn into tired, hungry, cranky children.  It's your responsibility to make sure that your kids get enough sleep and eat healthy meals while traveling.  Fortunately, it's easy to do so if you follow a few simple tips:

1.) When booking lodging for a theme park vacation, be suspicious of any particularly low prices.  Although most Orlando resorts and family-friendly hotels enforce strict quiet hours, not every hotel will be as quiet and peaceful.  It's worth paying more money for a guaranteed good night's sleep to prevent tired crankiness at the park the next day.  

2.) Try to stick to your normal sleep schedule as much as possible.  If you'll be traveling to a different time zone, adjust your family's sleeping habits before you leave so that you won't be as affected by the time change.  Also be sure your younger children take naps as necessary throughout the day.  Car and train rides are a perfect opportunity to nap without missing any excitement.  

3.) If you'll be traveling by train or plane, try to pack your own healthy snacks like sandwiches, trail mix or vegetable sticks.  Airport and train station food is usually overpriced and unhealthy, and you'll be grateful for the chance to get something nutritious into your kids.  

4.) Although many fast food restaurants have "healthier" options on their menus, many of these items are not as healthy as they might sound.  It's a good idea to do some research to determine what menu items are actually a safe bet when pulling through a drive-through.  Even better, visit a sit-down restaurant where you can ask questions about the food, or just pack your own nutritious meals and snacks.  

5.) Dress in layers while traveling.  Temperatures can vary over the duration of a road trip, and airplanes are often much cooler while in the air than they were while sitting on the tarmac.  Wearing a few layers can help you and your kids regulate your temperatures, and an extra jacket doubles as a blanket for an impromptu nap.  

Healthy eating and sleeping habits are important parts of an enjoyable vacation.  By managing your diet and sleep routines, you can ensure that your family feels energized and refreshed throughout the vacation.  You'll also protect yourself from some of the uncomfortable side effects of a decadent vacation, such as weight gain and bloating, by sticking to healthy habits while you're away.

About Kendra:

Travel advocate, TV spokesperson, PR businesswoman, proud wife and mama of 3. I am a long time travel expert who has been packing my bags and traveling the world since I was 3 months old! I've found my utmost desire in life is right here in my own home. I have mixed my excitement for travel by bringing the taste of authentic cuisine to my own home with some of my unique recipes and sharing some of my personal traveling tips. Enjoy!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KendraThornton

Website: http://www.thorntonpr.com/