Follow these tips to avoid overeating at the buffet on holiday
All Inclusive holidays are becoming an increasingly a popular choice for Brits as tour operators, such as Olympic Holidays, offer discounts of up to 60 per cent on ‘All Inclusive’ deals this summer.
While All Inclusive deals are great for consumers’ pockets they are having a notable impact on holiday makers’ waist lines.
Caron Leckie, nutritionist for home delivery diet brand, diet Chef, estimates that it’s quite feasible for holiday makers to gain a stone on a two week holiday by consuming an extra 1,500 calories a day in addition to their recommended daily allowance.
With the extra indulgences and temptations of a fortnight of buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner supplemented by calorific cocktails not to mention snacks and ice cream by the pool, it would be relatively easy to do.
Caron says: “We work hard all year so holidays are when we all let our hair down and over indulge, that’s natural. When people book all inclusive the buffet style eating often means portion control goes out the window. Overeating can be further encouraged with people wanting to get their monies worth and eat regardless of whether or not they are hungry.
“When at home consumers may opt for a gin and tonic or glass of wine at the end of the day, on holiday they are more likely to spend the evening enjoying exotic cocktails such as Piña Coladas which scarily contain more calories than a Big Mac. Having four Piña Coladas during a balmy summer evening in an exotic clime can quickly rack up to more than your recommended daily calorie allowance. Add to this a few extra portions at the buffet bar and an ice cream or two and it is easy to see how holiday makers are piling on the pounds.”
As a nation we don’t do things by halves, while when confronted with a mouth-watering choice of food at the buffet bar, our European cousins may see this as a choice and pick their favourite dish, us Brits want to make the most of our holiday deal and try a little of everything, or perhaps more than a little of everything.
“As a company, we’re seeing an increase in the number of customers turning to Diet Chef for help after overindulge on All Inclusive holidays.”
Caron’s top tips for enjoying an All Inclusive Holiday without piling on the pounds:
Tagged in Obesity Diet Holidays Healthy eating Diet tips