I get loads of ‘Healthy Advice’ emails into my inbox – lots I just discard but this one I really like – its from a Cancer Prevention organisation – with lots of great ideas and tips.
It’s that time of year and many of us have been working hard to look and feel great in time for that long-awaited get-away.
Yet when the wait and the hard work is over you may find that the biggest threat to your slimmed-down waistline may turn out to be the holiday itself.
We’ve come up with a few helpful tips to enjoy your holiday and stay in shape.
1. Planning is key
Plan your meals so you are not tempted by unhealthy food when you get hungry. For example, if you have a day of sight seeing choose a filling breakfast, like scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast and don’t forget to buy some healthy snacks to take with you.
Planning a three-course dinner later? Then opt for a light lunch, such as a seasonal vegetable salad with balsamic vinegar.
2. Be selective at buffets
Buffets can trip up even the most strong-willed of us, but there are several steps you can take to avoid overindulging.
Before joining the buffet queue go for a stroll to see what the options are and select what you’re going to have.
Avoid cream or pastry-based dishes and anything that has been sautéed or deep-fried. Why not try local dishes made from a variety of fresh seasonal vegetables, like ratatouille, and seafood such as grilled sardines or mackerel?
Choosing a smaller plate can help to control portion size and prevent overeating.
Take breaks between your courses and wait for a little bit to make sure you really are hungry before you revisit the buffet table.
3. Enjoy something sweet but choose wisely
Having a healthy holiday doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding all your favourite treats.
The key here is to make good choices, for example if you’re treating yourself to an ice cream choose a fruity sorbet or frozen yoghurt instead of a creamy option. And skip the waffle cone to save 150 calories!
If there’s no lighter option, sharing is a great way to enjoy a treat without overloading on calories.
4. Watch what you are drinking
Alcohol is full of calories and is of little nutritional value, so it’s best to keep drinking to a minimum and choose lighter options. To cut down on the calories in alcohol, try swapping creamy cocktails, such as Pina Colada, for a gin and slimline tonic.
If you fancy a cold beer, then try alternating it with a low-calorie soft drink or even adding some low-calorie ginger beer to your drink for a twist on a shandy. .
Alcohol is also a proven cause of some cancers so remember to try to stick within our recommendations of one drink a day for women and two a day for men
5. Have fun being active
Being active for 30 minutes or more a day helps to reduce your cancer risk and with plenty of time for leisure, holidays are a great time to be active. Try our fun ideas for some holiday activities.
- Swimming is both relaxing and a great form of exercise. If you’re spending an afternoon by the pool, why not cool off by going for a dip and doing a few lengths? Take advantage of being by the seaside and spend a few hours snorkelling and discovering the aquatic world.
- Walking is a great way to take in the scenery! Spend a morning exploring by foot or go for an evening stroll on the beach.
- Hit the dance floor in the evening, join a game of beach volleyball, take a cycling tour or challenge your companions to a game of tennis.
Making a few healthy choices like these can help you stay in shape and have fun on holiday.
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