5 WAYS TO EAT AND STAY HEALTHY AT AN ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT

Ahhhhh yes! Who doesn’t enjoy a little vacation time? All-inclusive resorts are a popular and convenient choice to make for a fantastic holiday. Beautiful beaches, sunshine and UNLIMITED food and drinks (which can be a blessing and a curse) - it’s a deal that’s hard to beat! But what happens when you want to maintain your healthy lifestyle but you’re faced with the luxury of unlimited food and drinks?

Well, I present to you my Top 5 Tips that will not only help you stay on track with that healthy lifestyle of yours, but leave you feeling satisfied and never deprived!

1. Everything in moderation

When it comes to a healthy diet, moderation is key and YES…even on vacation! At an all-inclusive resort, you are bombarded by food and it’s inevitable that you’re going to indulge a little bit more than usual (and that’s OKAY!). When you’re faced with an all-you-can-eat buffet, make sure to listen to your body and your hunger cues. A great tip to adopt is to only eat until you’re about 80% full - don’t wait for that uncomfortable, “oh my gosh, I can’t move” feeling to stop eating.

2. Move your body

One of the reasons we LOVE to vacation is because we get to kickback and relax, but planning a bit of activity into your day can go a long way for your health. Now this doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym for a vigorous workout everyday, but even spending as little as 15–20 minutes a day doing some type of movement can be very beneficial. Most resorts offer fun and daily activities, such as dance lessons, aqua-fit, beach volleyball and yoga. Taking long walks along the beach with the ocean breeze on your skin isn’t a bad option either :)

3. Eat your veggies and fruit

Going away to a tropical location is a great opportunity to take advantage of the fresh and local produce. From the papaya to the juicy watermelon and luscious leafy greens… my mouth is watering just thinking about it! The rule of thumb to follow is HALF of your plate should consist of salad and vegetables, the rest protein and healthy fats. Vegetables are also full of fibre, which is going to help stabilize your blood sugars (which will help prevent those mid-afternoon crashes) and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

4. Pick your drinks wisely

Pina-coladas, creamy funky monkeys and strawberry daiquiris galore! Yes they’re delicious, but they’re also filled with a TON of sugar. For example, one pina-colada contains 31 grams of sugar! Times that by two or even three more drinks and you’ve hit your daily sugar quota for the next three days. Of course you should treat yourself, but remember Tip #1 on Moderation. Try swapping these sugary drinks for healthier alternatives, such as the mojito, a vodka-soda or a lime margarita on the rocks. You can even ask your bartender to make your drinks “skinny” and they’ll add half the sugar they normally do.

5. Eat treats you really want

At every meal and time of day, sweets are available! Whether it’s those creamy pina-coladas or the dessert table at the buffet, you can’t avoid them. So better than just relying on your “willpower” to not have anything at all, come up with a strategy. This can include not having dessert with EVERY meal, picking only one or two of your FAVS to eat, or substituting dessert with a delicious bowl of fruit.

Remember, while a healthy vacation isn’t about overindulging, it’s also not about depriving yourself. So enjoy some of the sweet-stuff (GUILT-FREE) while also making sure to get daily movement and to make room for the greens! It’s all about finding a balance, whether you’re at home or on vacation.