Avoid Vacation Weight Gain

Other posts by DesertMama

woman-eating-cotton-candy by FotoSearchWould you like to Avoid Vacation Weight Gain? Who wouldn’t. I think most people find themselves staring at the scale with an open jaw after a trip. “How could this happen? I didn’t eat that much. Well, I did have a few pinches of the kids’ cotton candy, then there was that Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cone and the all-you-can-eat buffet with those yummy little fried egg rolls. Did I really taste every dessert?” I won’t even mention those strawberry margaritas you had while lounging poolside while your husband and kids were off frolicking in the ocean.

This summer let’s avoid those chubby consequences, or rather avoid an ounce of vacation weight gain and return home as hot mamas by watching how and what we eat. Who knows, you might even lose weight. Here are a few tips to keep us all on track:

1. Eat local. Part of traveling is enjoying the foods unique to the region, just don’t over-do it and order smart. Enjoy that bowl of clam chowder as your meal instead of eating it as a starter and order your shrimp grilled not fried. Try splitting your meal with your kids. Restaurant portions are so over-sized these days.

2. Don’t eat at the airport. I have spent enough time in airports to know there are very few healthy food options between gates. If you’re lucky, you might find a low-fat yogurt or piece of fresh fruit, but don’t count on it. Bring you own. By the way, those yummy Pecanbon Rolls by Cinnabon are a sin. They have 1100 calories and 56g of fat!

3. Know your “good” choices. Before I hit the road or air, when I know fast food is inevitable, I check out the fast food menus online and seek out the healthiest choices. Right now Taco Bell now has the new Fresco menu. None of the items are over 8 grams of fat or 350 calories.

4. Drink water. Not only does drinking water avoid extra calories (unlike soda or lemonade), it hydrates you. Playing in the sun and running between roller coasters means you need agua more than usual. Plus, water is great for the skin.

5. The healthy food really is there, you just have to know where to look and don’t think only you will benefit. On our last trip to Disneyland I was thrilled to find containers of fresh fruit, sticks of pineapple and trail mix at a tropical fruit stand by the Jungle Cruise in Adventure Land. My kids tossed their Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream for my grapes and strawberries. Next time, I’ll forget the ice cream and buy them their own fruit.

This summer, tackle your vacation with a healthy outlook (no pun intended) and try these tips, you might be be surprised how easily you avoid vacation weight gain.

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April 28, 2008 | Filed Under Family Travel, The Cookie Jar 

Comments

4 Responses to “Avoid Vacation Weight Gain”

  1. CajunMama says:
    April 28, 2008 at

    Here I am stuck at Atlanta airport and some jerk sits next to me with his Ben and Jerry’s. What’s a Mama to do? Ugh. Vacation weight gain here I come.

  2. MountainMama says:
    April 28, 2008 at

    I typically start out strong – ordering egg-white omelets, drinking low-cal beer at night… then it just segues into stacked cinnamon-sugar French toast and the sugary foofy drinks!

  3. Stay Fit On Vacation « Traveling Mamas says:
    May 3, 2008 at

    [...] by DesertMama on May 3, 2008 A few days ago in the post Avoid Vacation Weight Gain we talked about vacations foods but it’s not just the food we need to worry about when [...]

  4. BMI Weight Loss says:
    November 16, 2009 at

    Make sure that you keep yourself hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Sometimes thirst can be confused for hunger.

    When you’re at a function and you see an irresistible food, then permit yourself to let go occasionally. Never over do. Remember your limitation.

    When you’re away and if you don’t get to choose the proper restaurant, then choose the proper food to eat.

    Just remember this. “Just because you are away from home and out of routine does not mean that all of the unhealthy foods you eat are suddenly acceptable”.

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