By Amy McDonnell | Published on May 25, 2017
As warmer weather approaches, more of us are heading off on our summer vacations. In recent years, all-inclusive packages have increased dramatically in popularity and many of us opt for this style holiday. However, with the promise of unlimited food and drink, how can you really say no to that second helping of pasta?
It’s inevitable, then, that many of us will come off our pre-vacation diet and gorge on the buffet food. In fact, British tourists consume an average of 5,756 calories on their first day away. That’s over double the daily recommended allowance!
Here are a few ways to ensure you stay healthy on your vacation without sacrificing the fun.
1. Eat a healthy breakfast
Bacon might be tempting but eating foods high in fat can actually see you snacking all day long. To stop you munching on sausage rolls from the snack bar, opt for something healthy like oatmeal or Greek yoghurt for your morning meal. Add a banana to your breakfast, too, as they are effective at preventing feelings of hunger due to their high amounts of resistant starch.
2. Grab a dessert plate
If your hotel offers a smaller plate, usually reserved for desserts, grab it. Smaller plates have been proven to reduce the amount we eat. The experimental, “Smaller Plate Study”, explored the effects on perceived fullness and satisfaction when plate sizes were reduced. The study concluded that reducing plate size from 12 to 10 inches typically resulted in 22% fewer calories being served. Choose the smaller plate at dinner and avoid over eating.
– RELATED:Â Can Skipping Breakfast Help You Burn Fat Faster? –
3. Save the cocktail for the evening
If you’re serious about sticking to your diet, avoid a mid-afternoon beer. We all know that alcohol is full of empty calories, but according to a study published in the journal Nature, alcohol activates the brain cells responsible to hunger. This is hardly surprising as we all love a midnight pizza after a heavy night out. However, by saving drinking until the evening, you might actually save some pounds as well as a midday hangover.
4. Opt for the fresh local dishes
Chips and pasta might be stacked up high, waiting for you to indulge, but ignore your temptations. It’s easy to stick to our regular eating habit when we’re away but walk past your regular carbs and you’ll find fresh salad, locally sourced fish and boiled potatoes. Delicious. Not only will you probably save the carbs from choosing steamed over fried food, but you might have just found your new favorite meal.
5. Enjoy yourself and relax
Don’t forget, you’re on holiday and you’re allowed to enjoy yourself and eat too much. In fact, if you don’t relax, the stress of trying to stick to your diet may cause you to binge. Stress has been linked to overeating in numerous studies, so sit back in the sun and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. If you managed to lose weight once, you’ll be able to do it again.
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