Taking a cruise. What do I eat?!?!?

tiatiamaria

Hello MFP peeps! I've had a great 6 months on MFP and have been very successful eating my normal foods on my routine and logging in everyday. I am going on a 5 day Carnival Cruise in July and I am feeling super nervous about not being able to log in and not knowing what to eat on the ship. Does anyone cruise frequently? Any suggestions on what I should stick to eating? Any suggestions on what is really good, but healthy? Thanks guys!

skylark94

It's just a week. Watch your portions, but eat what you want. You can't do a lot of damage in a week.

When I went on a Disney cruise last fall I managed to consume as much as 6,000 calories on most days (free self serve ice cream!), but I walked and swam a lot and took the stairs. When I got home I was up 2 pounds (water weight). That 2 pounds was gone within a week of getting back to my normal routine.

Capt_Apollo

what kind of crazy food are you expecting on this cruise? i've been on a cruise before, and you need to be mindful of portions, especially at the breakfast and lunch buffets.

if you've been doing this for six months, you should more or less know what kind of portions you should be eating. don't sweat it too much, but don't go filling your plate up on the first round of the buffet. and make sure you have some fruit or veggies at every meal.

drinks add up, especially the sugary fruity drinks. they're fun poolside, but be mindful of how many you have. generally pools aren't all-inclusive, so knowing that you have to pay for booze might be a factor. ask for a glass of water with every drink.

Xenophonica

Haven't been on a cruise, but my mom's friend said she stuck to staying out of the areas with food unless it was a normal time to eat. She ate a lot of steamed/grilled seafood, salads, and fruits, and somehow lost weight when she came back.

Otherwise, I'm interested to see what others have to say about this!

short_nerdy_lady

I would think they would have a variety of choices

bulbadoof

Fruit and vegetables will always be reasonable calorie-wise, and when it comes to meals you can opt for your sauce/dressing on the side.

That said, it's a cruise. It doesn't happen every other week. Enjoy yourself, and if you really wanna have something, have it.

RHSheetz

I would suggest that you stick to the same principal that you would use eating out. Stick to lean protiens and veggies. Ask for sauce on the side, and stay away from the deserts as much as possible. The cruise lines usually have many options for people who have different dietary needs. You should be able to eat health. Allow yourself soem treats, and record everything in a diary that you can enter when you get back.

Also, plan on gaining about 5 lbs.

Have Fun!

Kimi0371

I don't know about Carnival, but we've cruised two other lines and there were ALWAYS healthy options, with calories and some other nutritional info marked right on the menu. Even select buffet items were marked as healthy fair.
For me, I never log on vacation. I try to stick to healthy foods and stop when my body tells me I'm full. I indulge in moderation. And I choose active options so that I'm exercising a lot. It's vacation! You can lay off a little bit and still stay healthy.

farmgirlsuz

After six months I am pretty sure you know in your head what is healthy (as close to natural as possible). To me, the real question is-this is probably a once in a life time experience. Do you REALLY want to spend five days obsessing over how many calories are in every single bite or do you want to enjoy the experience and get back on the horse when you get back?

Just my two cents worth-I have never been on a cruise but when I do, I am going to enjoy the experience and take advantage of everything that is offered.

HAVE FUN!

klabasik

I am also going a cruise in July, and I am going to start each day with room service but instead of a bagel, I am going to do fruit, and coffee, but I am going to bring 7 days of 100 calorie snacks that I eat at home. Once I blow breakfast, I feel like my day is shot and to heck with it. Also, there is food all the time available, people over indulge and eat everything all day. I feel like it is possible to eat right, you just have to be smart. First cruise I went on, I gained 10lbs. The second one, I maintained. And I didnt go to the gym, or run on the track, but of course you can! Also, I brought my own tumbler cup with a lid, and I fill it with water a couple times a day, so I stay hydrated.

paradise444

I have been on a few cruises, and yes, there is a ton of food, good and bad. For breakfast, I would have 1 egg/egg white omelet with veggies, and whole grain toast, maybe some fruit. Lunch was a lot of greens, veggies of all kinds, and either 1/2 cup of beans (chick peas, black beans, lima, etc...) OR, i would opt for about 2-3 oz of chicken breast. Dinner is like lunch, mix it up where protein is concerned, beans at one meal, meat or poultry or fish at the next. I had no carbs during the day, only at breakfast. Its very tempting, as the cruise ships serve alot of food, desserts included, and I stuck to my plan and did not gain any weight. I also went to the gym on the ship when possible. Plan out in advance what you plan to eat, if you are at the buffet. Walk around and check it out first, then plan what you want to eat. Obviously you don't want to obsess about what you eat, you want to have a good vacation. If I would not put any thoughts into this, I would probably gain up to 7-8 pounds in a week. Don't forget, eating out, there is always alot of sodium, so don't panic if you gain weight, alot of it could be water. I don't add any salt to my foods at home, but every time I eat out, I expect a few pounds of water weight. Figure out your portion sizes before hand, since you won't have access to MFP. You can eyeball the potions, and do some research in advance on what types of snacks you want to have in between meals, bring some nuts from home, take some apples and bananas from the buffet in the morning, and have them later on...whatever works for you! Have a great time!

PlayerHatinDogooder

Dude it's a cruise! Enjoy yourself.

Whatever weight you do or don't gain can easily be lost when you get back.

InForBacon

Lots of bacon.

Haima

Take advantage of the fruit and vegetables!!! They have so many options on the salad bar : )

MG_Fit

Dude it's a cruise! Enjoy yourself.

Whatever weight you do or don't gain can easily be lost when you get back.

I agree with this!

Loves418

Don't most ships have a fitness center these days? Set your alarm earlier then the family/friends and take in a workout every morning you can. Also when you eat off the buffet load it up with salad first see how full you are then find a good protein. Most important have fun

Laurayinz

all da foodz!

Seriously, drink a lot of water, do a lot of walking, feel free to try some new foods.

I've never been on Carnival, but Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Disney all had a lot of light/healthy choices. And actually, most of the dining room meals were very good, not much in the way of fried greasiness, unless you went to any of the specialty burger or pizza joints or donut shops. The froyo stations by the pools were a nice treat. If you go to the buffets, you should be able to take a peek at it all and decide what you want, instead of loading up at the first station and then seeing that there are 5 other ones with more things you want. Don't get everything the first day, remember if you saw something that looked good and get it the next day. Dining room meal portions aren't huge, and they're getting away from the huge midnight buffets. Is it tempting to eat all the time since there's always SOMETHING available. Most of all, ENJOY YOURSELF! :drinker:

jennwren77

Hi! I've been on a few cruises and the last one was a Carnival cruise in March. I had the same concerns about options and logging, but if you've already developed healthier eating habits, you will be fine. All of the buffet style options will make you feel overwhelmed, but remember you are on vacation so enjoy yourself!

For dinner, I always made the salad bar my first stop and ate a large salad. If I went to the buffet, I would look for grilled chicken or fish options and still get more veggies. If I chose something that wouldn't be considered "healthy", I just got a little of it to taste, not an entire serving. There is always fruit available, unsweetened tea and sugar free dessert options. I can't say every meal I had was 100% healthy because like I said it's vacation. I did have a burger and cheese fries, pizza and even a slice of cheese cake.

The buffets are open all day so you can eat smaller meals throughout the day or if not, just be careful with your portioning. I didn't log or write down anything while I was away and I didn't gain weight or feel deprived.

There is also a fitness center and a track on the upper levels. There's a nightclub, you can go dancing or honestly just walk around the ship all day :-)

Don't worry, you've had six months of MFP experience and I'm sure you will make the right choices.

meredith1123

Just watch your portions. That's all the management you need. They have plenty of fruit on the breakfast bar also and for lunches and dinners you can do light salads and fruit also.....
Just enjoy yourself 100% of the time and watch your portions.

tiatiamaria

Wow! great info. thanks for the help guys! You are right- I need to just enjoy myself but I have this irrational fear that this week will make all of my habits and discipline spiral out of control.

acpgranberg

My mom and I went on a two-week cruise a couple of years ago. We made a deal that if we ate at the buffet, we would have ONE plate, no repeats, and half that plate would be filled with vegetables. We also allowed ourselves dessert. Although to be honest the mousse was the only thing worth having. It helps that I didn't think the food on our cruise was all that good.

We also took the stairs all the time because being squashed into glass elevators with a tonne of people who's motto is "there is room for one more" was not fun.

Ended up losing 5lbs on that trip.

Good luck to you!

AndiNofziger

My best piece of advice is to eat in the dining room (instead of the buffets) for your meals. The food is much better and the portions are small. The buffet is a mine field, in my opinion. Also, use the stairs instead of taking the elevator, and make sure you hit the gym or at least use the walking track around the top of the boat. My husband and I cruise at least once a year, and we're able to do it without gaining weight. Have a blast--cruising is the best!!

jim9097

Cruises are tough, I don't think I would go with a preconception that I would stick to a diet. It's OK to eat just try to be moderate, and have a great time.

elizabethduncanheydary15

I didn't log anything for the week I was on a cruise. I would say that you need to enjoy yourself, but when you get back, get back to your normal routine! Only eat when you're hungry. There will be food constantly out, but you will be fed plenty at meals with several courses that you really don't need to be snacking in between every meal. Taking a week off made it harder for me to stay on track when I got back and my weight plateaued shortly after, but those are just my own circumstances.

lmbame905

My whole weight loss journey revolved around getting into a wedding dress, and then we honeymooned on a cruise.
The alcohol is what did me in.
i made a deal with my husband that we would ONLY take the stairs. And we lived up to that until the very last day. Running on the treadmill was also really interesting.
There's oatmeal and boiled eggs for breakfast, then eat in the dining room for lunch and dinner. the choices are much healthier than the burgers, pizza and paninis you can get whenever you want.

I personally tried to be good a couple of days, but then thoguht to myself, "I'm on my honeymoon." so I ate what I wanted and got on the scale when I got home. 10 lbs up. Which is impossible, but I did drink a lot and ate a lot of salt. So, just enjoy yourself and do what you can, when you can without too much worry.

If you do gain a lb or 2, so what? Get back on the horse when you get home.

IronPhyllida

I'd be great on a cruise, I get sea sick so think I could eat pretty much what I want as it'll be going in the sea soon after anyway!!

ps Enjoy

TracyJo93

Eat what you want and enjoy yourself. When I went on my cruise, I had fruit and oatmeal for breakfast every day, and salad for lunch. I pigged out at dinner and had whatever dessert I wanted. Believe me, you'll be burning mega calories throughout the day and be starving by dinner. Don't sweat it and just enjoy yourself. You'll have a blast!

susanr613

I lost weight on a cruise last winter. Here's how:
1. I was mindful and deliberate in my choices. I indulged only in what was extremely special and tasty and what I would not eat at home. This was usually at dinner, although I did introduce my 16 year old son to scones one afternoon. I didn't see him much during the day and evening so it was special to bump into him and have a snack together. It is one of my best memories of the cruise.
2. I stuck to my usual eating plan for breakfast and lunch, but included more veggies and fruit.
3. I took the stairs everywhere and all the time, even in heels for formal night.
4. I danced a lot! I participated in the on-deck activities, took salsa lessons, and danced the night away during the midnight buffet.
5. I worked out at the gym every morning.

Just because the food is there doesn't mean you are obligated to eat it. Focus on the non-food run of the cruise, and indulge in what's worth indulging in.

Have a wonderful time!

rykwarren

I go on two or three cruises per year. I have never gained weight on one. I don't know about Carnival, but Celebrity always has lighter options offered on their menus. That being said; indulge yourself with the food! My "secret" is increased activity while cruising. Walk the length of the ship at least twice a day. Take the stairs if your destination is two decks or less. Swim in the pool. Don't even turn the TV on in your stateroom.

I struggle more at home than I do on my cruises.

VorJoshigan

Everything

Eat as much as you want, but don't eat past fullness. One thing I appreciated on my cruise is that they really seemed to emphasize quality over quantity at the sit-down meals. I took a cruise last December, and I gained 0.6 pounds. Just make sure you have a good time.


Also, walk your *kitten* off.
ETA: Seriously - walk walk walk, and take the stairs every single time.

AmykinsCatfood

If you're super concerned about logging, see if you can find a menu for the ships restaurant so you know exactly what you'll be eating and log a head of time, or print off a list of the calorie values of various meats, veggies and fruit, sweets and drinks. Then log on paper and input it back into MFP when you come back.