4 Hidden Diet Traps To Avoid When Travelling

Prone to packing on a couple of pounds whenever you go on a vacation? Read on to find out how you can avoid falling into these hard-to-detect diet traps.

According to a study from the New England Journal of Medicine, although weight gain on vacation is nothing to panic about, those with a BMI of 25 and above tend to gain more significant weight than those with a BMI lower than 25.

 

Some reasons why we tend to put on weight when we go away:

Pressure: everyone is eating a lot, drinking a lot … basically indulging themselves to the max. So, in order to feel better about themselves, your friends may pressure you to join them in their excesses and tease you if you should suggest doing anything that hints of “discipline”, like hitting the gym for a workout.

Broken routines: being away from home and the office represents a break from routine, which could trick you into thinking you are burning more calories or being more active. Hate to break it to you but … trawling the malls for bargains may be hard work but it’s not enough to justify that matcha mille crepe cake.

Excuses: “I’ve paid $1,200 for an air ticket! Surely I deserve to live a little!” You’re in an exotic locale, surrounded by foods you don’t usually eat. Diet goals be damned. Well, go ahead and live a little, just don’t go overboard with the alcohol or junk food.

 

So what are the diet traps you can and should avoid when you’re travelling?

Diet Trap 1: Airplane food

First, airplane food is loaded with salt and sweeteners to give them more flavour. Second, have you noticed just how much refined carbs there is on your tray of food? There’s the rice/noodle/potato main, the dinner roll, the pasta salad, the cake, and finally the crackers that come with the cheese! Consider bringing your own food, if the airline allows it. If the flight is relatively short, save your stomach for a more nutritionally balanced meal after you’ve arrived at your destination.

 

 

Diet Trap 2: Breakfast buffet at your hotel

 Sausages, cold cuts, eggs cooked in every imaginable way, dim sum, bread, cheese, JUICE! Clearly someone thought it is important we feast like kings at breakfast! Instead of loading up on processed meats and sugary cereals, go for poached eggs on wholegrain toasts, plain yoghurt with fresh fruit, or oat bran with milk.

 

 

Diet Trap 3: Drinks – all sorts!  

Juice at breakfast, sodas on the road, cheap beers by the pool, free cocktails at the executive lounge … liquid calories are perhaps the biggest culprits when it comes to vacation weight gain. If you’re already indulging – food-wise – then keep the unnecessary calories at bay by opting for sparkling water, black tea, or green tea.

 

 

 

Diet Trap 4: Supper  

 It’s one of the most fun things to do – buying street food and taking them back to the hotel for supper while your friends and you watch DVDs or play mahjong. High in fat and salt, these tasty morsels should be enjoyed in moderation. If you must have supper, make sure you plan something active to do the day after – like a hike through the local nature reserve.

 

Going on a vacation should not be a punishing experience so, don’t hold back from trying the local delicacies. Just remember to get lots of activities in and stay away from empty calories in the form on alcohol and sugary snacks!