Summertime means vacations and road trips.  It's a great time to catch up with family and friends but can also be a time when bad habits catch up with you.

Watching what you eat and making healthy choices can be easier to do at home. When it comes to summer vacationing, many families are plagued by numerous fast food meals. When you hit the road, that diet can easily get left behind.

"If it's a two-day car trip, there's a lot of snacking. That's when boredom comes in and you snack and you're not really using any calories by riding," registered dietician Teresa Beach said.

Beach says it's about planning ahead. Instead of stopping at gas stations to load up on treats and sweets, pack a cooler. Include yogurt, fruits, veggies and nuts. While low in calories, they also provide protein and vitamins to help you feel fuller. She also recommends planning your three daily meals in advance, especially if you have children.

"If you plan out your meal, breaks it's easy to say, 'Well, it's 10:30. We are going to stop at 11:30 for lunch so maybe you could have a handful of nuts,' Beach said.

Avoiding fast food altogether isn't an easy task, but even packing a lunch or two can make a difference. If you don't have time to stop for lunch and opt for fast food, Beach recommends choosing small sizes, grilled chicken instead of breaded and substituting a salad or fruit for the fries.

By taking the steps to double check what you are eating and planning ahead, road trips this summer won't leave you tipping the scale.