Carolyn Scott - aka The Healthy Voyager - brings us her Expert Wedding Guest Survival Tip and it is all about prepared, healthy eating.  While Carolyn’s tip is focused on the Summer Wedding Season (and Carolyn used to be a Wedding Planner) it is certainly sound and practical advice to be used happily ever after:

Summer Lovin’

If you haven’t noticed, summertime is wedding time and its just around the corner. One of my many hats over the years was that of a wedding planner so I’ve definitely had my fill from working them or going to them. That being said, I know first hand that it is very difficult to stay healthy at such events but have no fear as the healthy, traveling, former event planner is here to help!

The trip is exhausting enough as flights or road trips are an excuse to eat whatever is fast and convenient. Then you get to the hotel and eat a junky, expensive, in-room meal that is most likely greasy and eaten at an ungodly hour. Fast forward to wedding day where you spend all morning getting ready so all you have time for is coffee and a starchy bagel. You arrive at the glorious event famished so you gorge on hors d’oeuvres and alcoholic beverages. Then you pick at your meal (for us veggies it’s usually cold pasta) and you feel like a cow by the time the bouquet is coming your way. Sound about right?

Here are a few tips to keep your trip to, at, and around the festivities enjoyable and guilt free:

1. Pack enough protein bars for the flight/ride, wedding day and trip home. Clif, Luna, Purefit, Vega, Lara and Goodonya bars are yummy, nutritious and Vegan!!
2. If you are stuck at an airport, there is always a food court that has some kind of place to get a sandwich or a salad that you can order the way you need it prepared. Smoke may come out of the fast food person’s ears when manipulating the menu but just ask nicely and they will accommodate with proper instruction. I know it’s easy to run to grab chips and soda but take an extra few minutes to scour your terminal. A lot of ports have “Chili’s to gos” now and you can great a salad there or my personal fave, a black bean burger with all the fixin’s (sans cheese).
3. If you tend to run late, don’t!!! Plan ahead, eat breakfast and get there on time!!
4. At the hotel, try to resist temptation. Instead of ordering room service, find the local grocery store, get a cheap cooler and stock up with veggies, fruit and sandwich stuff for dinner and breakfast!
5. On the wedding day, eat breakfast and don’t forget to pack your protein bar. Drink lots of water so you feel full and don’t cram a million spring rolls in your mouth at the cocktail hour.
6. Make sure you have spoken with the bride and groom about your dietary needs are so the caterers have no surprises the day of. If not, you’ll most likely go without supper since they didn’t account for you. Again, plan ahead!!
7. Try not to eat all of the bread at the table before dinner starts. If you’re starving, then you must have forgotten your bar or snack!! I give you permission to devour your salad and be mindful of your portion size at dinner.
8. If you’re not vegan and neither is the happy couple, eat cake! And if you are vegan, reward yourself by boozin’ it up responsibly!! For Pete’s sake, you’re at a wedding!!

Enjoy! (reprinted with the permission of the author)

Related topics:

1. Expert Survival Tip: Survive A Wedding Hangover by Esther Blum
2. Expert Survival Tip: What To Expect At A Rehearsal Dinner by Kathy Goodman
3. Expert Survival Tip: Luck Be A Vegas Bachelorette Party by Tracey Kumer-Moore
4. Expert Survival Tip: What To Wear To A Wedding by Michelle Rothman
5. Expert Survival Tip: Yoga for Brides (and Bridesmaids) – Bring the Deep Breath to the Big Day! By Lisa Helfer
6. Expert Survival Tip: Always Be Prepared. A Wedding Day Bridal Emergency Kit! by Tiffany Bordelon-Walsh and Lindsay Bellock

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ^™

Tags: Carolyn Scott, Healthy Eating, Healthy Voyager, How To Survive Wedding Season, Wedding Blog

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