If you’re gearing up to go on a holiday, there’s no question that you’re looking forward to relaxing and easing the stress of your everyday life. You might also be thinking about indulging in a few food treats or fancy beverages to make the most of your time away.
However, if you’re not careful, those treats and beverages can really add up. Before you know it, you’ll be returning home with at least ten pounds packed onto your frame.
Since most people don’t want to come home and instantly have to jump onto a diet, the following tips will help ensure that you enjoy your vacation while preventing the usual weight gain that comes with it.
Let’s take a quick look at what you should keep in mind. Even if you can implement just a couple of these tips, you’ll be ahead of the game.
Smart Choices for a Balanced Vacation
As a general rule, when you’re on vacation, try to pick one food item to indulge in per day. It’s unrealistic to expect you to stick to your diet 100% while you’re away—most people simply won’t do this. However, by limiting yourself to just one indulgence per day, you’ll help curb the weight gain that typically occurs.
If you stick to healthy choices throughout the day and treat yourself to that one thing you’re craving, you won’t feel restricted, and you’ll still be able to enjoy yourself while keeping your weight in check.
Try varying your selection each day so you can continually try something new.
Be Careful with Mixed Drinks
A major source of hidden calories on vacation are mixed drinks. While straight liquor with diet soda won’t be that bad (coming in at around 70-100 calories per serving), a fancy, blended cocktail can easily top 400-600 calories or more.
It doesn’t take much knowledge to realize that this is simply too much when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet and body weight. So, you’re better off avoiding these drinks altogether.
If you do drink, keep it basic. If possible, alternate between one alcoholic drink and one non-alcoholic beverage to keep your calorie intake under control.
Get Choosey with Your Protein
Next, it’s important to be selective with your protein choices. You’ll need enough protein while away, but not all proteins are created equally.
When dining out, seemingly innocent protein sources can be loaded with fat and calories. For example, fish is often an incredibly healthy option, but when dining out, it’s usually fried or cooked in butter.
Grilled chicken breasts are typically a safe bet, or you can opt for a lean grilled steak but request the smaller serving size.
No one needs more than 3-4 oz of meat in one meal. So, if you’re sitting down to a 12-ounce steak, you can be sure you’re consuming more calories than you need.
Keep Pasta in Its Place
Another area to keep an eye on is pasta. While pasta can be a good choice when paired with lower-fat sauces, like tomato sauce, the problem lies in the serving size.
Pasta dishes are quite popular on holiday, but if you’re not careful, you can easily consume over 800 calories in pasta alone.
Don’t underestimate how much you’re eating—it adds up quickly. Swap half of that pasta for grilled or steamed vegetables, and you’ll be far better off.
Finish Off with Some Fruit and Ice Cream
If you plan to indulge in desserts while on holiday—most people do—keep it simple.
Instead of going for rich cheesecakes, squares, or cakes, opt for some fruit with ice cream. While it may not be as decadent as other desserts, it comes at just a fraction of the calories and will still satisfy your craving for something sweet and tasty.
Pizza Perfection
Finally, one last food to consider while on vacation is everyone’s favorite—pizza.
Pizza is notorious for being high in calories and fat, which can definitely add inches to your waistline. However, if you choose wisely, it doesn’t have to be that bad.
The two places where most calories are hidden in pizza are the cheese and the meat toppings.
Opt for ham, sliced chicken, or shrimp over pepperoni, bacon, or ground beef. Also, ask for a lighter sprinkling of cheese to reduce the calorie content.
The crust can also be a source of hidden calories. If you’re given the option, always choose the thinnest crust available. It will contain fewer calories and carbs, making it less detrimental to your diet plan.
So there you have it—top things to keep in mind as you enjoy your holiday. If you maintain a positive mindset and make healthy choices whenever possible, you can still fully enjoy your time away from the “real world” and return home without the need to jump into a diet to shed those extra pounds.
