It seems like i’ve been spending alot of time in my office talking to patients about how to eat on vacation – most are panicked at the thought of loss of control over choices and frequents meals out. I don’t blame them – you can do alot of damage on vacation and it’s no fun coming back to a 3-5 pound weight gain after working hard all spring to get the weight off. One of my best tips is to limit indulgences to one or two occasions per day; for example, treat yourself to a sweet at breakfast but try to eat cleaner the rest of the day and maybe share a dessert. Or eat a lighter breakfast (egg white omelette and fruit) and split a burger (or eat one topless) for lunch. Or eat a healthy breakfast and lunch (salad with protein, dressing on side is always an easy choice) and indulge somewhat at dinner (glass of wine, half a dessert, slice of bread, primi of pasta – choose 2, not all). By limiting yourself to one or two indulgences per day, you can pretty much bank on coming home the same weight that you left; which is what your goal should be (its a vacation after all, not a fasting retreat!). Bon Voyage, Dr. Melina