Free food + Free Drinks = Best Week Ever?
Vacationing at an all-inclusive resort is arguably one of the best ways to travel. An endless supply of food, drinks, spa services, and maybe even a beach within walking distance can be heavenly.
However, what most people fail to remember prior to diving mouth-first into the buffet and ordering five drinks at the bar is that ‘all-inclusive’ doesn’t mean ‘free pass to be a complete glutton.’
Yes, there are some tricks to surviving resorts that provide you with “free” food and drinks. And even though it requires tons of self-control, we promise you can still have a good time.
Here’s what you can do to have a healthy vacation:
- Don’t leave your healthy eating habits at home. If you typically follow a balanced diet, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t continue to do so while on vacation. All-inclusive doesn’t include a magical shield of protection against digestive issues and weight gain. Even if you don’t always stick to a healthy diet, you can keep yourself from going overboard when facing temptation. Make healthy food choices (such as swapping the pancakes with an omelet and a yogurt) and filling your plate with plenty of veggies, protein, and a small serving of carbs.
- Eat slowly. This gives your brain more time to catch up with your stomach when you’re full, meaning you’ll be less likely to get up for seconds or thirds.
- Have a light snack. As you wait for your next meal, enjoy a low-cal, healthy snack, such as fruit or yogurt. This will help curb your hunger as you wait for your lunch or dinner, making you less likely to pile your plate high with fatty foods.
- Enjoy a sweet or salty temptation. Whatever your vice, it’s going to be difficult to avoid your favorite guilty pleasure foods when it’s in sight. Allow yourself one or two indulgent treats a day and of course, watch your portion or split it with your travel companion!
- Limit Alcohol Consumption: I know it’s vacation and you want to relax/unwind. But that doesn’t mean you have to try every single frozen drink at the poolside bar just because it’s free and you can. Drink moderately and safely to avoid unwanted health issues and other problems that can occur when drinking too much. Don’t act like you don’t know what those are.
- Exercise! Continue your fitness regimen for at least 20 minutes a day. Go for a swim, visit the on-site gym, walk around the compound — just get active and do something!
- Get plenty of sleep. When you’re tired, your body begins to crave more simple sugars and unhealthy foods and drinks. You’ll be much more inclined to make healthy food choices if you get at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night.
Image from gocaribbean.about.com.
