Vacations can be a true test of dietary discipline — especially when following a clean whole foods, ketogenic, or carnivore lifestyle. With unpredictable schedules, limited kitchen access, and tempting treats around every corner, even the most committed eater can struggle. Airport food courts, hotel buffets, and roadside diners tend to be carb-heavy and laden with processed ingredients. Add the social pressure of indulging with friends or family, and it's easy to veer off course.

 

One way to stay grounded is to plan ahead. Packing shelf-stable keto or carnivore-friendly snacks like beef jerky, meat sticks, pemmican, pork rinds, nut butter packets, or canned/pouch fish can tide you over when options are slim. Booking accommodations with a kitchenette opens up the opportunity to cook simple meals using local groceries. Even a quick pan-seared steak or sautéed veggies can make all the difference. US Wellness Meats has a wide variety of options including jerky, meat sticks, pemmican, and more!

 

When dining out, scan menus for dishes built around protein and fats — steak, bunless burgers, grilled fish, or eggs are often reliable picks. Don’t be shy about asking to substitute sides or skip sauces. 

 

And if it’s not perfect, don’t sweat it. A flexible mindset goes a long way — vacation is about enjoyment, after all. Focus on making the best choices you can without letting food stress steal the spotlight. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is savor the experience, return to your routine with renewed energy, and remind yourself that one indulgent meal doesn’t define your lifestyle.

Our July Featured Chef is Carissa Tang. Carissa is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and loves traveling abroad to learn new recipes. She has a unique cooking style, putting her spin on traditional recipes or creating completely new recipes that avoids refined sugars, seed and vegetable oils and focuses on clean ingredients.

 

We asked Carissa, "You’re stranded on a desert island; luckily, you’re stranded with your top 5 ingredients and one must-have kitchen tool":
Carissa's Top 5 ingredients:
Grass-fed meat
Pasture raised eggs
Avocado
Bacon
Macadamia nuts

Kitchen tool:
Cast Iron Pan