Vacationing with a Healthy Appetite
by Dezi Zevin
One of the most enjoyable aspects of vacationing is the chance to devour a city, bite by bite. We look forward to Chicago pizza, New York Cheesecake, Maine Lobster, Seattle Coffee, and so on and so forth. It makes it nearly unimaginable to go on a vacation and stick to a healthy diet. However unimaginable it may be it is not impossible. There are definite things that we can do to make appropriate choices while out and about.
When planning your vacation, you will want to tell those going with you your plan to stick to a healthy diet. Ask them for support and understanding. True friends are always willing to lend a helping hand. Also, prepare for possible obstacles in advance and have control. Once you have set guidelines for yourself, it will be easier to “behave.” Nutritionist and Chiropractor, Dr. Jeannette Birnbach states, “It’s been my experience as a doctor that people who are taking care of themselves can go on vacation and indulge in a few foods and drinks they don’t normally have without lasting detriment to their health.” She does warn “If you are really addicted to [something like] sugar and you have managed to get it out of your diet, it may be best to avoid it under any circumstances rather than risk returning to the cravings for it.”
Often people will go on a crash diet prior to heading out on vacation. This is a really bad, and sometimes dangerous, idea that results in overindulging and packing on more weight than when you originally started. This causes greater difficulty in shedding the pounds and ultimately results in yo-yo dieting. Also, “saving” or starving yourself prior to eating out is frowned upon as it may lead to over-eating, which Dr. Birnbach says is one of the biggest pitfalls we can make. One recommendation would be to have a light, and healthy, snack prior to a later meal; however, eating dinner earlier is best.
Once at the restaurant, select the main dish first. They usually come with side dishes that may influence what other things might be ordered. Be forewarned, not all side dishes are created equal, most are full of fat, cholesterol and salt. Dr. Birnbach recommends speaking up and inquiring about what is in a dish or asking for substitutes – such as replacing French fries with steamed vegetables. Don’t be afraid to ask for dressing, butter or sauces on the side or, even better, not at all. Feel comfortable making special requests; after all, you are paying for it (in more ways than one)!
In this great country where bigger is better, we are often served in oversized portions. There are a couple of ways to combat this – you could share a dish or ask for a to go bag before your meal. This will serve as a reminder that you should, in most cases, not finish the entire plate unless the portions are appropriate. Slow down your eating, as it takes 20 minutes for your stomach to receive the signals from your brain that you are full. Take time to enjoy the conversation, put down your utensils often and enjoy the ambiance of your dining experience.
Last, but not least, don’t forget to exercise. It’s a great way to feel healthy and burn calories. When you feel healthy you are more likely to make healthier choices. In the good words of Dr. Birnbach “Some people discover a passion for a sport they never knew they liked by trying it on vacation.”
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