Tips and tricks for good meal planning on vacation

We're at the beach in the middle of the afternoon, and I hear the family next to me wondering what they're going to eat for dinner. They're debating whether to go back to the canteen or to the grocery store, which is 15 minutes from the campsite.

One day, in an outdoor activity park, I listened to a group discussing their dinner options. Some wanted pizza and others wanted chicken. The choice seemed difficult, as many had already ordered pizza or chicken the day before.

In both cases, I didn't envy their non-planning of meals at all. As for me, at the campsite beach, I had planned meals for the week and grocery shopped accordingly. I knew I could stay at the beach until 4:30 PM, then return to the cottage and start my zucchini and shrimp pasta, a sunny dish that beautifully ended this magnificent day. On the outdoor activity day, I had planned a quick, easy-to-prepare meal for when we returned.

So, you'll notice that meals don't take holidays, and if you don't want to double your food budget by only eating out, some planning is necessary, planning that will also ensure you have more peace of mind!

How to plan meals on holiday?

If you're going away for a weekend, I suggest planning everything in advance and grocery shopping accordingly. If you can also prepare food in advance, you'll enjoy it even more. For example, after a long day on the road, a good meal ready to put in the oven (e.g., lasagna) upon your arrival at the cottage while you unpack, is pure bliss. The same goes for camping: a chili to heat up on the gas stove after setting up the tent is very practical!

A weekend menu isn't that difficult to plan. Here's some inspiration:

• Friday: reheat meal
• Saturday noon: cold lunch (at the beach or on a hike)
• Saturday evening: BBQ (marinated meat, pre-cut vegetables, garlic bread)
• Sunday: eggs, bread, bacon (brunch style)
• Sunday evening: BBQ (foil packet) or one-pot pasta

A week-long menu doesn't have to be fully planned. The important thing is to have good basics to prepare meals quickly without having to go to the grocery store.

Examples of staples to have on hand:

• Cans of tuna
• Cans of legumes
• Pasta sauce
• Eggs
• Meat or sandwich filling
• Firm tofu
• Frozen marinated meats

Supplement with pre-cut fruits and vegetables, bread, a box of cereal, milk, snacks, and a special snack or dessert (chips, cookies, marshmallows).

Don't forget the snacks

With young children, and even teenagers, don't forget snacks, and they should be substantial enough to allow for longer periods between meals if needed.

Just like during the school year, there should be a morning snack, an afternoon snack, and probably an evening snack, as children generally go to bed later during holidays.

This is the time to incorporate the gourmet journey of the visited place into your diet: think about eating local! Here are some ideas:

• A pastry from the local bakery
• Punnets of strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries from the farmer's market
• Cheese from the local cheese shop to enjoy on a picnic table while watching cows in the field
• Ice cream from the local ice cream parlour
• A milkshake or hot chocolate from the coffee shop in the town you're visiting
• A frozen treat from the beach vendor

These examples not only satisfy hunger, but they also create wonderful memories. Of course, they won't happen three times a day, so you still need to plan for a reserve of snacks.

During the school year, to save money and limit packaging, I favour homemade snacks. But for holidays, individual formats are hard to beat.

No refrigeration needed

• Granola bars
• Applesauce pouches
• Pita bread
• Dried fruits: raisins, cranberries, dates, figs
• Nuts: pecans, almonds, walnuts
• Seeds: sunflower, pumpkin
• Dry cereals: Cheerios, Shreddies
• Small soy milk cartons
• Crackers
• Trail mix
• Cookies
• Popcorn

In a cooler

• Cheese
• Hummus-style spread
• Milk and soy drink
• Yogurt
• Seasonal fruits
• Crudités
• Hard-boiled eggs

Snacks and meals on the road or in the car

During long car journeys, it is often very practical to have a snack in the car. There are a few points to consider:

Beware of choking hazards:

Until the age of 4, hard and round foods can pose a choking hazard, especially in the car, where you can't observe your child and act quickly in case of an accident. It is therefore safer to choose snacks that have soft or tender textures and avoid nuts and raw vegetables in the car.

Keep children occupied

Snacks are meant to satisfy hunger. They should occur between two meals, only once. Snacking throughout the journey keeps them occupied but does not satisfy hunger. It is therefore preferable for parents to keep the snack near them and distribute it at the scheduled time. Pouch snacks are very practical in these circumstances.

Mealtime

It is very practical to prepare a packed lunch for a long travel day. Not only will you save money, but you will also be free to stop when desired without being dependent on the food stops you encounter. All that will be missing is a bathroom! It's also a good time for children to stretch their legs. It's best to try to keep meal times stable, especially for young children. They react less well to hunger, becoming irritable and ill-tempered.

My favourite stops on the road

• By the sea or river
• In a municipal park (with or without play structures)
• At a rest stop
• In a village to eat our lunch at a picnic table, but also to stroll down the main street and buy bread and local foods

Holiday meals, just like the choice of activities, create extraordinary memories. All it takes is a little planning, and the chore will no longer be one!