Weight loss on a cruise ship is said to be a myth. So when it comes to food, here a few things to keep in mind.
Eat a healthy breakfast every day. You need quality calories to jump-start your metabolism first thing in the morning. Go easy on the pastries, cheese, ham, pancakes, french toast and waffles. It smells good, but your body will spend the rest of the day trying to burning it off. Besides, healthier food is a lot tastier these days.
Explore low fat food selections - As cruise lines become increasingly popular to the masses, they are offering alternative food choices. You will usually find low fat options on every menu, including sugar free desserts, low fat dressings and tofu stir fry's etc.
Pick an early dinner sitting - Eating late at night doesn't give you enough time to burn the calories before going to bed, thus turning the unused food to fat. Furthermore, you are less likely to feel like eating breakfast in the morning. Eating your last meal approximately 3 hours before bed is a common rule of thumb.
Stay hydrated - The benefits of staying hydrated to make the most of your cruise include more energy, less fatigue, improved immune system, and aids weight loss, not to mention a host of other health benefits. The rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 130 pounds, you will need to drink 65 ounces of water a day, which is about 8 cups a day.
Eat small amounts of quality food regularly - This will minimize hunger cravings throughout the day, keeping you from sweet or high fat foods.
Avoid the temptation to eat at every opportunity - If you do indulge, choose smaller portions and healthy options.
Practice sampling at the desert buffet - The dessert buffet is a cruisers arch nemesis. With so many great looking foods on offer it is hard to stop at just one. So if you must try them all, try eating just a few mouthfuls of each one.
Alcohol - I won't tell you to cut alcohol, because lets face it, if you want to drink while on vacation, you will. But if you make good choices it does not have to be as bad for you as it could be. If you want a Caribbean style cocktail do not pick the frozen types that are full of sugar and milk. And try to avoid beer and have wine instead. Most ships have wine packages you can take advantage of. To get the most value though, buy it at the start of the cruise and chose the package that suits you best. When you do drink, also ask for water from the bar servers. Keeping hydrated while drinking will lessen the negative effects of alcohol.
By following the above steps, it is possible to have a great cruise without feeling guilty after it. Don't be discouraged if you gain a little weight half way through your cruise, and then give up for the rest of your time onboard. Just like at home a couple of big meals can have you feeling full and bloated. Continue with your daily exercise and sensible eating, and stay on track.
To make the most of your cruise, read my book Cruise Ship Secrets at http://cruisingsuccess.com/book-preview/ It will help you with beating sea sickness, cruising with kids, saving money, what to expect onboard, what to pack, and a lot more.
Peter Kell
Author of Cruise Ship Secrets
