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10 Eating Mistakes You Make On Vacation That You Thought Were Totally Harmless

10 Eating Mistakes You Make On Vacation That You Thought Were Totally Harmless

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You’re conscious at the buffet, split dessert, and stick to skinny cocktails, but weight gain can still happen on vacation in some surprising ways. These are some common eating mistakes you make on vacation that you thought were totally harmless.

jaunted.com
jaunted.com

Sitting still the entire plane ride

During a long plane ride you’re often offered peanuts or crackers, one to three meals, snack boxes, and maybe some free wine and cocktails on the really great airlines. Back home, you’d get up and move around between meals, and that helps you gauge how full or hungry you are. But on an airplane, if you sit in your seat the entire time, it’s easy not to realize you’ve stuffed yourself! Get up several times throughout the flight and stroll the isles, paying attention to how full you are before saying yes to another free cocktail.

news.asiantown.net
news.asiantown.net

Eating before your jet lag nap

Jet lag can throw off your regular eating schedule, and often you’re desperately exhausted and hungry at the same time. So you scarf down a meal because you can’t wait to go to sleep and then pass out. But that’s just consuming tons of calories before remaining still for hours. Try to overcome the urge to eat and just go to sleep. Within five minutes, you’ll be passed out and forget you were hungry. When you wake up rested, you’ll be more clear headed about your food choices.

tandemsantiago.cl
tandemsantiago.cl

Visiting open-air markets

These seem so fun, a great way to try authentic food in the region you’re visiting, and a great way to try several items at a time. But that’s the problem: when you’re just buying a block of cheese here, some salami there, some cured fish and pickled veggies somewhere else, you’ve suddenly consumed 1,000 calories. At mealtimes, go to a restaurant where you can have a portion-controlled meal.

de.wikipedia.org
de.wikipedia.org

 

Not taking food to go

On vacation, when the server asks if you want to take your leftovers home, just say no because you have no fridge in your hotel room and no microwave. With the leftovers sitting there, you’ll end up eating the entire plate. When you’re full, box up your leftovers, and give them to a homeless person on your walk back to the hotel.

authoritynutrition.com
authoritynutrition.com

Making too big a deal of where you eat

If you’re a major foodie, you might dedicate hours a day to deciding where you’ll have your meals, researching endlessly to make sure you find the best spots in town. When you make a big deal of finding a restaurant, once you’re there, you almost feel like you have to eat a lot because you put so much into finding the place! Ask for a few suggestions from your concierge and just pick one quick.

ThinkStockPhotos
ThinkStockPhotos

Using this excuse: ‘Well, we’re walking everywhere…’

You probably tell yourself that since you’re doing so much walking, you’ve earned that giant soft pretzel or that gelato. But, realistically, if you add up your total steps, you probably only walked about an hour, which only burns around 200 calories. And a giant soft pretzel or gelato can cost you around 400 calories.

 

Source: MayoClinic.org

bbcamerica.com
bbcamerica.com

Asking for the server’s recommendation

You’re not familiar with the food in the region so you want the server’s recommendation for the best local dish. But, in any region, the “best” dish is going to be loaded with fat, sugar, salt and butter. Why? Because those things add flavor and the server wants you to be impressed with the restaurant and leave a big tip. Be bold and choose for yourself.

missioninnrun.wordpress.com
missioninnrun.wordpress.com

 

Buying extra gifts

You buy five big chocolate boxes, a dozen of those fancy jam jars, and eight of those tins of buttery cookies. You store these in your hotel, telling yourself they’re for friends at home. And of course, you end up eating some of them. Sit down and make an honest list of who you need to buy gifts for. Buy those gifts and only those gifts.

kirbiecravings.com
kirbiecravings.com

Keeping food in the room

You keep food in the room in case you can’t get a dinner reservation until very late, or you miss the hotel breakfast. But you know you buy three times the food you really need, and end up just snacking throughout the day. Don’t keep food in the room and if you’re starving between meals, go to a market or convenience store nearby.

shaktiwomyn.com
shaktiwomyn.com

Forgetting to eat fruit

We all forget to eat fruit on vacation! Having just one apple or a serving of fruit before a meal can help fill you up and help you eat less at the actual meal. If you keep any food in your room, let it be fruit.

Source: Answers.com