As it's summer holiday season I wanted to share my tips for eating well while you're away, for both kids and adults. I hope that they're helpful for those of you heading off somewhere nice!
1. Freeze your water bottle (filled with water) for a few hours or the night before. You will have cold water all day long as it melts... perfect for a long hot day exploring.
2. Give the kids money to buy lunch ingredients at the local market. My rules are: 5 savoury items and 2 sweet. Mine bought cheese, olives, radishes (we ate them French style with butter and amazing local salt), cured meat, sun dried tomatoes, cherries and peaches.
3. Never order the kids menu! Order them a starter, ask for a half portion main or get siblings to share a main. Everyone can share and taste so they aren’t stuck with one thing they decide they don’t like.
4. If you can, cook in advance and take food out with you for the day. Portable food like my summer filo quiche, spiced sausage rolls, raspberry custard slices, breakfast muffins or healthy honey cakes all make great options.
5. For self-catering holidays plan ahead before you leave home. Find a few of your fastest, easiest recipes and take a few bits of kitchen equipment with you that might help. My fast one-pan beef Shakshuka, coconut prawns, one-pan chicken, green flat beans, samosas, meatballs, seaweed prawn fritters, and super easy salmon en croute are all ideal.
6. When eating in, buy food from a market and just place it all on a platter for an easy lunch.
Not only does this teach the kids about the area's food, but it ensures you're eating local and in season. See my recent Instagram reel on platters or get the recipe here to one of my all time favourite platters.
7. Freeze watermelon slices in Tupperware boxes for a cooling portable snack. See here for my post on watermelon lollies... it might be useful next time there is a heat wave.
8. Take a few easy, made-in-advance food items for a nutritious instant breakfast. Great examples include seed granola and rainbow breakfast sprinkles. This works best for road trips and when you're not staying in hotels.
9. Take sugar-free, nutritious snacks around with you to avoid constant hunger and begging for ice-creams. I often take Ember biltong, salt & vinegar seaweed thins, nuts, coconut flakes, dark chocolate and dried fruit.You can find ideas for healthy snacks 'on the go' here.
Have I missed any life-saving holiday tips? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you.
For holiday meals, it's important to consider both kids' and adults' preferences with a balance of fun and nutritious options. Simple dishes like homemade pizzas or veggie-packed pasta can appeal to children, while adults may appreciate more refined options such as roasted meats or seasonal salads. Adding healthy sides like fruit salad or baked veggies can ensure everyone enjoys a festive yet wholesome meal. Cannobio Ferienwohnung