How do I eat on a cruise?

kristen49233

Lucky you! I love crusing! OK...when I cruise, I try to do the following--doesn't always happen tho:

Eat a lighter breakfast (omlete from the omlete station and some fruit)
Lunch: Cruises have an awesome salad / fruit bar! Or sometimes I grab a sandwich from the deli
Dinner: Whatever I want--including dessert. You're on vacation for pete's sake.

A couple of the cruise lines that I've sailed before offer lite options on their menu. I don't get them unless they sound good, but there is that option.

I always take the stairs if the floor I'm going to is within a certain # of floors from where I'm at. Usually for me it's like 4 or 5 levels.

On one cruise I took my workout clothes and worked out a few times in the gym--seems like early morning is the busiest time to go. Most ships also have a walking/running track outside too that you could use.

Also, if you seriously want to watch your calories...beware of their drinks. I love all the fruity concoctions...but they are loaded with calories!

If you end of gaining a few lbs. on your cruise don't sweat it....they'll come off when you get home.

NOTE: Sorry if I repeated ideas...didn't read through the responses to see what others had wrote.

beanrider

I was on a cruise 2 weeks ago, and survived the food land mines. I kept my breakfast and lunch very reasonable: oatmeal, boiled egg and fruit for breakfast, salad and fruit for lunch. I splurged at dinner time, but had fish and other seafood for every dinner. It was the unlimited ice cream that brought me down, but you can be healthy while on the open sea.

Healthy133

I've been on cruises and I always make endless plans not to eat this or that...
I always end up eating what I want on all 4 cruises I have been on. I gain about 5-7lbs but tend to lose it quickly after, mostly water weight!
Take your time over the dinner menu, there are items on there that are on their every night but some like lobster on formal nights are just one night, no point missing that! You can have fruit for dessert and I know princess cruises, holland America and P&O have lighter meals on offer.
At the buffet yon can get a bit overwhelmed so take your time and walk around the whole thing first, there are always eggs, bagels, toast, fruit, cereals and healthy items. Take a bit, sit down and enjoy it, if you need more you can always go back. Lunch there is always salad items and healthy hot meals. There is always the gym, exercise classes early morning, running track lots of sports during the day. Take the stairs! Loads of stairs haha! Your legs will thank you one day!
Most of all, a cruise is an expensive holiday, enjoy it all and don't ruin it by worrying about your weight, I know people who take clothes one size bigger for the later part of the holiday!!

ihammen

You wont gain back 30 lbs during a cruise. Just go and enjoy yourself.

This. My husband and I took several one to two week trips this year. I ate what I wanted, but quit when I was satisfied. I figured I could get back to my normal diet (lifestyle) when we got home. I gained around 5 pounds each time, and lost it within a week or two. Much quicker than I normally lose. I think it was mainly the alcohol and sugar calories, plus the extra sodium restaurants use. As long as I got right back to my normal way of eating and exercise it didn't take that long to take if back off.

Holly_Roman_Empire

Just don't stuff your piehole nonstop. Eat sensible meals and sensible snacks. Try to be active. You should be fine.

Yup. Eat whatever you want until you're full. You'll be fine.

Greenrun99

Eat until they tell you to stop, drink until they tell you to go to bed.. Then you won't regret spending $1000 on a cruise you didn't enjoy.

halzuzu

I just went on a cruise 3 weeks ago. I gained 4 pounds and have already worked off 3. I'm sure some of it was water weight as someone mentioned the food was probably high in sodium. I ate what I wanted to satisfaction but didnt stuff my face. You're on vacation. Have fun. You can work off any gained weight when you get back.