Staying Keto on Vacation - My Smoky Mountain Plans

The Great Smoky Mountains

Vacations are for relaxing and making memories—but that doesn’t mean taking a vacation from your health goals! With a little planning, you can stay on track and still enjoy every moment (and every bite) of your trip.

We will be heading to The Great Smoky Mountains soon, and since we will be staying in our camper, I will be cooking a lot of our meals. That makes it much easier to stay in control of what goes on our plates and to keep meals delicious and keto-friendly. Of course, we are on vacation, and I don't want to cook ALL the time, and we will want a treat or two. We can visit a restaurant or have a "treat" and still stay on plan.

Why I Choose to Stay Keto on Vacation

Some people see vacation as a time to “take a break” from healthy eating—but for me, that’s not worth it. I’ve learned the hard way that going off plan leads to inflammation, headaches, fatigue, and sugar cravings that can take days to overcome.

When I stay keto, I actually enjoy my vacation more. I have more energy for hiking, exploring, and soaking up every bit of the Smoky Mountain beauty. I don’t come home feeling bloated or sluggish—I come home refreshed and proud that I stayed true to myself and my health goals.

Plan Ahead for Success

One of my biggest tips for staying keto while traveling is to plan ahead. Before we leave, I look up restaurants in the area and make a list of ones that offer keto-friendly options. That way, we’re not scrambling when we are hungry—and tempted—to just eat wherever looks good.

And honestly, I already know some places I’ll be avoiding! As much as I love the Apple Barn, I know their fritters and apple julep would be too tempting. Sometimes the best choice is to not put yourself in the situation at all.

Bring Keto Comforts

Since I will be cooking most of our meals, I will pack and prep some of our keto staples. One of my favorites is protein pancakes. The Smokies are famous for their pancake houses on every corner—but I will be making my own version right in our camper - well outside on the Blackstone! Having my own keto-friendly version means I won’t feel deprived or tempted by all those stacks of syrupy pancakes.

Enjoy Local Flavors—The Keto Way

No matter where you vacation, you can usually enjoy the local food scene without going off track

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In the mountains: grilled steak or chicken, pulled pork without the sauce, omelets (ask about the ingredients - some restaurants use pancake batter to make the eggs fluffy), and bunless burgers are easy wins.

At the beach: fresh seafood is perfect—just skip the breading and fried options. Grilled, baked, or broiled seafood of any kind is both satisfying and keto-approved - the possibilities are endless.

Final Thoughts

Vacations are about joy, not guilt. A little planning and a few substitutions can help you stay on your keto path without missing out on the fun—or the flavors. You’ll come home feeling refreshed, not regretful!