(ThyBlackMan.com) Being on vacation means relaxing and enjoying yourself. It usually means taking a little bit of a break from all the rules you normally live by, especially rules that have to do with eating.
There’s no reason why you have to deprive yourself of all the delicious foods you’ll find when you’re on vacation, but that doesn’t mean you want to go buck-wild. If you’re not careful, you could return home with a few extra pounds, in addition to the souvenirs in your suitcase.
Overeating doesn’t have to be a given when you’re on vacation. Feel better while you’re on vacation, and after you return home, with these tips.
Eat Smaller Portions
One common tip when it comes to preventing overeating is to avoid the buffet, but that’s not fun! Buffets can be a great place for families to eat, because with so many choices, there’s surely something even the pickiest eaters will like. Not to mention, many fun activities include a buffet. For example, if you’re vacationing in Pigeon Forge, TN, the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show comes with admission to a buffet!
Whether you’re at a buffet or you find yourself at a restaurant that serves huge portions, make a plan to eat less. When you walk up to the buffet, use a smaller plate, or leave space between each food item you grab. If you’re at a restaurant, divide up your meal before you start eating and put half of it in a to-go container. This tip enables you to eat the food you want, but with smaller portions, so you can prevent overeating.
Choose What You Eat Wisely
You can treat yourself to juicy burgers, pizza, and other high-calorie foods, but that doesn’t mean you should be eating them at every meal. It’s a good idea to think carefully about what you’re eating throughout the day so you can make good choices at least some of the time.
That doesn’t mean you have to eat salad either! There are quite a few healthier meal options at every restaurant if you know what to look for. Just a few examples include:
- Looking at the reduced calorie section of the menu.
- Always choosing grilled over fried options.
- Choosing a meal with a side of veggies instead of French fries.
Eat in Once a Day
If you’re staying in a hotel, you probably assume you’ll be eating out for every meal. That doesn’t have to be the case!
Not only can you pick up breakfast on your way out the door in the morning, which will save you calories and money, there are actually some things you can make in your hotel room.
If you make a cold meat sandwich for lunch one day or return to the hotel early one night and whip up some macaroni and cheese in the microwave, you can reduce your calorie intake when you’re on vacation.
Give Your Body Time to Feel Full
Don’t like the idea of following so many rules when you’re on vacation? You can prevent overeating without meal planning or piling food on your plate just so.
Instead of inhaling your food and feeling too full, and a little sick, after you’re done, slow down and give your body time to feel full. It can take your stomach up to 20 minutes to tell your brain you are full, after all!
Eat a piece of pizza, then take a five minute break to see how you feel. Sit for ten minutes before you decide if you want to get dessert or not. It will give your body a chance to tell you that you’re full before you eat more.
Listen to How Your Body Feels
It’s amazing how quickly we forget to listen to our bodies when we are on vacation. Pay attention to the way foods make you feel and you can avoid foods that make you feel sluggish.
For example, if you know eating an entire hamburger will make you want to return to the hotel for a nap, consider eating only half of the hamburger, or replace the meat patty with grilled chicken. If you know you will crash after that coffee drink, choose juice instead. You can avoid a lot of food trouble on vacation if you just listen to the way food makes your body feel.
Going on vacation doesn’t have to mean gaining weight, but it doesn’t have to mean eating healthy all the time either. With these tips, you can enjoy delicious food on vacation without overeating!
Staff Writer; George Hall