How I Reset After a Food-Filled Vacation
Dear Michelle Valentine,
I love seeing all the incredible restaurants and local specialties you enjoy while filming Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine. Do you ever come home feeling bloated or notice your clothes fitting a little tighter? What do you do to get back to feeling like yourself again?
Sincerely,
Kelly H.
Cincinnati, Ohio
🎁 Love travel giveaways? See what you can win in our current giveaway!.
Dear Kelly,
Great question!
The short answer is… absolutely!
One of my favorite parts of traveling is experiencing the local cuisine. Whether it’s fresh seafood along the coast, Southern comfort food, homemade desserts, or a destination’s signature cocktail, I believe food is part of the story. Every meal helps you better understand the place you’re visiting.
So when I’m filming, I don’t spend my time worrying about calories. I enjoy the experience.
By the end of a production trip, though, I can definitely tell I’ve been eating differently than I do at home.
My stomach feels a little bloated. My clothes fit a bit tighter. And after several days of restaurant meals, I’m actually craving simple, familiar foods again.
In fact, before I even head to the airport, I’ve usually changed into loose, comfortable clothes. You’ll almost never catch me flying home in jeans after a filming trip. My favorite lounge pants are much more forgiving after a week of enjoying wonderful local cuisine, and they’re a lot more comfortable on the flight home.
Once I’m back home, I don’t panic. I don’t go on a crash diet or start counting every calorie.
Instead, I spend about three days getting back to my normal routine.
💡 Insider secrets, not found on the map. Join Michelle Valentine’s email list for exclusive travel advice and behind-the-scenes stories.
Breakfast is usually as simple as it gets.
I make a bowl of instant oatmeal with half a banana sliced into it, along with two cups of coffee. My coffee is one thing that never changes!
Lunch is greens.
Lunch is almost always a big salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and my homemade Italian dressing made with olive oil. I’ll add a simple protein like chickpeas, cold shrimp, or cubes of baked chicken.
And yes, I always throw in a few croutons.
I love that little bit of crunch, and it makes the salad even more satisfying.
Dinner stays just as simple.
One of my favorites is lean ground turkey browned with green peppers. I skip the onions for a few days and keep everything easy on my stomach.
Snacking
If I want a snack, it’s usually popcorn. It satisfies my craving for something crunchy without feeling heavy.
I also drink lots of water and avoid soft drinks for a few days. After traveling, my stomach appreciates a break from all the carbonation.
Count Calories?
People often ask if I count calories or follow a strict eating plan.
I don’t.
These meals are naturally light, and I simply eat when I’m hungry. Sometimes that means breakfast isn’t until noon. If I’m not hungry, I don’t force myself to eat just because it’s lunchtime.
I also continue my daily walks, just as I normally would.
One thing I do avoid for those first few days is fried food. After enjoying plenty of restaurant meals while traveling, it’s the last thing my body is asking for.
My kitchen is always stocked with fresh vegetables, fruit, canned beans, rice, and saltine crackers, so I can put together simple meals without much effort.
Do I step on the scale each morning?
Yes.
Not because I’m chasing a particular number, but because it’s one small way I keep track of how I’m feeling overall.
The truth is, this little reset isn’t really about the number on the scale.
It’s about feeling comfortable again.
It’s about waking up without that overly full feeling. It’s about my clothes fitting the way they normally do. It’s about having more energy and giving my stomach a chance to settle after several days of rich, delicious meals.
Travel should be enjoyed.
Some of my favorite memories are sitting in a charming restaurant overlooking the water, sharing homemade desserts with new friends, or discovering a family recipe that’s been passed down for generations. I would never want to miss those experiences.
When the trip is over, I simply come home, eat the foods that make me feel my best, and within a few days I’m ready for my next adventure.
That’s what balance looks like for me.
Have a travel question you’d like me to answer?
Send it my way, and it may be featured in a future edition of Dear Michelle Valentine.
