AVOID EXCESS (BODY) BAGGAGE ON YOUR HOLIDAY

It's said that your holiday begins the moment your journey starts. Whether that means long airport queues or a long-distance road trip, a little planning will go a long way to ensure you are making healthier food choices and don't undo all your hard work in the gym.

While they are getting better, airport and pit-stop food outlets are often fairly limited when it comes to healthy food choices. Airline food is a hit-and-miss affair – so it may be worth stocking up with some healthy snacks in your hand luggage

If you know you are likely to be tempted, it can be worth bringing some back-ups from home. Pita bread sandwiches (which are less soggy than regular bread), malt loaf of fruit bread, fresh fruit, Ryvita crackers with Marmite, yoghurt drinks, smoothies, boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, and low-fat dips are all snacks that will travel well and keep you well-fuelled so you won't be tempted by the chocolate bars and crisps.

Stay well-hydrated when you are travelling, especially if you have kids in toe. While airport restrictions prohibit you to take more than 100ml of liquid through security, you can drink plenty of water before you go through. Once through, buy yourself another bottle to take on board in case the flight is delayed. If you’re travelling by car, try freezing the water so you can sip it throughout your journey.

When travelling by car, avoid gulping down caffeinated beverages in an attempt to stay awake. If you are feeling tired while driving, it is much better to take a break, enjoy a hot tea, coffee or even an iced version of your favourite beverage if you want to cool down. Too much caffeine can cause your body to get dehydrated and make you feel even more tired.

Dietitian and nutritionist Jane Freeman has outlined ideas for making healthier choices while you're travelling and getting your holiday off to a healthy kickstart.