Mexico Resorts What to EAT?

BetesBitch

I'm going to a resort in Mexico for a week soon and I want to know if any one has any pointers for staying within a calorie goal so I can continue to lose weight. The following are some pointers Im going to follow:
#1 I won't be drinking alcohol or any liquid with calories for that matter.
#2 I won't be eating deep fried foods or candy or chips and stuff.
#3 I plan to swim every day. Chase my 2-year-old so he doesn't get the chance to run away on me.

So if you've been to Mexico before, what good foods were available to eat? ones that aren't full of sugar or fat? Please tell me there's lots of good protein and vegetables available!!! What about fruit?

eldamiano

Real Mexico or pretend Mexico? You know, the places for Americans who cant live without Subway and McDonalds....

BetesBitch

Real Mexico or pretend Mexico? You know, the places for Americans who cant live without Subway and McDonalds....

Real Mexico. On a beach resort. Riviera Maya I think it will be.

_John_

#1 I won't be drinking alcohol or any liquid with calories for that matter.
#2 I won't be eating deep fried foods or candy or chips and stuff.
#3 I plan to swim every day. Chase my 2-year-old so he doesn't get the chance to run away on me.

what's the point of going to Mexico again?

Of_Monsters_and_Meat

#1 I won't be drinking alcohol or any liquid with calories for that matter.
#2 I won't be eating deep fried foods or candy or chips and stuff.
#3 I plan to swim every day. Chase my 2-year-old so he doesn't get the chance to run away on me.

what's the point of going to Mexico again?

Have fun on your bland vacation. I don't get this at all.

Artests

The best thing about Mexico is their candy

Mia_RagazzaTosta

I'm going to a resort in Mexico for a week soon and I want to know if any one has any pointers for staying within a calorie goal so I can continue to lose weight. The following are some pointers Im going to follow:
#1 I won't be drinking alcohol or any liquid with calories for that matter.
#2 I won't be eating deep fried foods or candy or chips and stuff.
#3 I plan to swim every day. Chase my 2-year-old so he doesn't get the chance to run away on me.

So if you've been to Mexico before, what good foods were available to eat? ones that aren't full of sugar or fat? Please tell me there's lots of good protein and vegetables available!!! What about fruit?

Eat what you want and maintain a deficit.

You're welcome.

Cliffslosinit

Eat what the other "humans" are eating....
You're on the coast...try the seafood, maybe?

helennbaker

Hopefully you will have access to some wonderful fresh tropical fruit and fresh seafood. Enjoy the Yucatan flavors, and do indulge in a couple of margaritas.

jr1985

Eat whatever you want... Then drink the water there... That will take care of any weight gain in a hurry

In all seriousness though, I'm assuming your resort has a lot of water activities included as well as a fitness center... When I was in Jamaica over the summer... We all gained weight, but also took some tours, hiking etc, plus went snorkeling, kayaking, attempted to windsurf etc. every day and it helped staying active.

There are generally a lot of fresh sea food options at places like that which are delicious and healthy, fresh fruit for breakfast, Asked for steamed Veggies if you like.

Have fun on your vacation!

SweetJoanne

Hi I was just in Mexico and the food was amazing, so many choices even healthy fruit juices, lots of fruit and vegetables, if the resort is anything like the one I stayed at you will be spoilt for choices

DawnieB1977

I haven't been to Mexico, but I went to an all-inclusive resort in Cuba for my honeymoon, and I assume the food isn't massively different at the resorts in Mexico as they are catering for tourists.

I was there for 2 weeks and was quite careful, and did lots of swimming, but I did enjoy lots of rum and cocktails too I only put on one pound.

We went to the buffet most evenings and they had a variety of foods, but loads of fish, chicken, vegetables, salad, fruit and other healthy food. For breakfast there was cereal, fruit, yogurt etc, and little pastries and eggs and cooked stuff if you wanted it.

For lunch there was a buffet place with similar food to the dinner, or there was a place that did Italian style food, and one that did chicken and chips (fries).

There wasn't a lot of junk food on offer, and I don't think you could get crisps (chips) and sweets/chocolate easily. They had little pastries, and little biscuits (cookies) and they did great coffee.

Mexico might differ slightly as they possibly do traditional things like fajitas, burritos etc, but I'm sure at the resorts they do food like they did in Cuba. I think my brother's been to the Mayan riviera so I'll have to ask him.

AvsFreak

You're on vacation, enjoy yourself.

Read this if you really think that 1 week of enjoying yourself will ruin your body.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=144179471

peleroja

Real Mexico or pretend Mexico? You know, the places for Americans who cant live without Subway and McDonalds....

Real Mexico. On a beach resort. Riviera Maya I think it will be.

That's definitely "pretend" Mexico, haha. But even at a resort you can make healthy choices. Just don't hit the buffet like you're dying of starvation, eat lots of vegetables, and indulge a bit in whatever looks great but in reasonable portions.

ETA: Those resorts on the Mayan all have like 10 a la carte restaurants, buffets, etc etc etc. There will probably be any kind of food you can possibly imagine, including tons of fruit and vegetables at every meal. They are a bit ridiculous. Food everywhere and more choice than you'll know what to do with.

_crafty_

I'm going to a resort in Mexico for a week soon and I want to know if any one has any pointers for staying within a calorie goal so I can continue to lose weight. The following are some pointers Im going to follow:
#1 I won't be drinking alcohol or any liquid with calories for that matter.
#2 I won't be eating deep fried foods or candy or chips and stuff.
#3 I plan to swim every day. Chase my 2-year-old so he doesn't get the chance to run away on me.

So if you've been to Mexico before, what good foods were available to eat? ones that aren't full of sugar or fat? Please tell me there's lots of good protein and vegetables available!!! What about fruit?

I've been to Mexico quite a few times. I ate what I wanted. Drank what I wanted. I was on vacation.

stakoc94

We are also heading to Mexico in about 5 weeks. Our Resort has an abundance of healthy foods at the buffets and resturants. Buffet is for breakfast and lunch and then the resturants are for dinner. Breakfast there is an omlet station, tons of fresh fruits and produce, yogurt, and of course all the usual breakfast treats. Lunch there is many options including salmon, chicken, and lean protein choices. And salad bar of course.

My advice is to make great choices for breakfast and lunch and splurge for dinner after a long day of playing in the sun! And like others noted have a few drinks, and just enjoy your VACATION!!

Vacation should not be stressful :drinker: :happy:

MizTerry

I've never been to any part of Mexico outside of Juarez back before it became crazy, but I'd look into grilled nopales. I love them.

Keep_The_Laughter

Resorts have a captive audience and there is a high probability that you will not get the best quality food. They already have your money, so you may or may not get reasonable quality produce and meats. In fact I've known several people who've spent most of their vacations sick trying to eat the "healthy" options at resorts.

If I were you, I'd find the nearest markets in town and local food joints. Go in look around. If there are no Mexican folks or Spanish speakers in general in the dining areas or check outs, move on to the next location. That is how you'll find higher quality foods. The people who live and work in the area will gravitate towards the better quality establishments.

Mischievous_Rascal

On my vacay to Jamaica last year, I discovered something wonderful. Relaxing and eating when you're hungry and stopping when you're full makes you lose weight, and that included many MANY 10 am pina coladas, and cold beers in the afternoon, and whatever else I wanted to drink in the evening. I came back two pounds lighter, actually...

_Zardoz_

I'm going to a resort in Mexico for a week soon and I want to know if any one has any pointers for staying within a calorie goal so I can continue to lose weight. The following are some pointers Im going to follow:
#1 I won't be drinking alcohol or any liquid with calories for that matter.
#2 I won't be eating deep fried foods or candy or chips and stuff.
#3 I plan to swim every day. Chase my 2-year-old so he doesn't get the chance to run away on me.

So if you've been to Mexico before, what good foods were available to eat? ones that aren't full of sugar or fat? Please tell me there's lots of good protein and vegetables available!!! What about fruit?

you're on holiday enjoy yourself eat sensibly. Don't restrict yourself too much otherwise you'll just have a horrible time and probably make the people your with miserable too. It's one week as long as you don't eat 20000 calories a day it won't derail what you've been doing. Go have a good time come back and get on with what you were doing before

Snooozie

I spent a week at a resort on the Mayan Riveiera and had the time of my life... but I ate whatever I wanted; and drank like a fish. The only thing I did was increase my exercise by walking the beach every day, swimming, taking a yoga class or a water aerobics class. I think I gained two pounds maybe, but it came off in a hearbeat as soon as I returned to my "normal" way of eating and exercising when I got back...... but I gave myself that week off on purpose. if you want to lose weight while you're there tho, just continue to log your food and stay within whatever calorie deficit you're using now. :bigsmile:

BetesBitch

#1 I won't be drinking alcohol or any liquid with calories for that matter.
#2 I won't be eating deep fried foods or candy or chips and stuff.
#3 I plan to swim every day. Chase my 2-year-old so he doesn't get the chance to run away on me.

what's the point of going to Mexico again?

I got my point. What's yours?

dbanks80

#1 I won't be drinking alcohol or any liquid with calories for that matter.
#2 I won't be eating deep fried foods or candy or chips and stuff.
#3 I plan to swim every day. Chase my 2-year-old so he doesn't get the chance to run away on me.

what's the point of going to Mexico again?

Have fun on your bland vacation. I don't get this at all.

My thoughts. It's not a vacation. But if you keep actiove you should be able to maintain and still enjoy some good Mexican food.

CaitlinW19

There is usually an omelet station at resorts too for breakfast. You can pick what you want in it. That would help keep you full through the day. Stay away from the muffins, waffels and the like.

I don't remember much about what was available at other meals...I think there was generally a salad bar and someone carving a ham or something...typical buffet food but with a few more mexican options. Tacos can be a great option, espcially if you can get fish or chicken. Corn tortillas are healthier in most respects than flour, and softshell over hardshell with flour tortillas ( hard shell generally fried). Fajitas are another good option if you watch your portion size.

Don't feel like you can't let loose a bit while you are there. I get that you don't want to throw away all your hard work. Just remember moderation. Maybe allow yourself 3 meals in a the week where you can just eat and drink what you feel like, and be good the rest of the time. It's a vacation afterall :-)

hilaria81

I'm going to Mexico on my honeymoon in a few months. I'm planning to relax and not to worry about it for those few days (though I plan on logging and watching my calories again as soon as I get home). Besides, I almost always lose weight on vacations anyway, from being more active during the day, getting more sleep at night, and not stressing out about work!

Holly_Roman_Empire

The best thing about Mexico is their candy

This x1000. My vote is to eat all the foodz. It's a vacation.

BetesBitch

I got one problem with indulging and enjoying myself while on vacation. I'm Type 1 diabetic. I have to count carbs to know how much insulin to take. Eating too many carbs will require lots of insulin which is not good since it's the fat storing hormone. Also, when eating too many carbs, sometimes it's hard to track and too much insulin may be taken, therefore, low blood sugar and possible passing out. Then come alcohol, that has a high blood sugar effect first, then a while later a low blood sugar effect due to the livers job.I think I will enjoy my vacation more by avoiding alcohol and too many carbs but that's just me.

ShannonMpls

We are also heading to Mexico in about 5 weeks. Our Resort has an abundance of healthy foods at the buffets and resturants. Buffet is for breakfast and lunch and then the resturants are for dinner. Breakfast there is an omlet station, tons of fresh fruits and produce, yogurt, and of course all the usual breakfast treats. Lunch there is many options including salmon, chicken, and lean protein choices. And salad bar of course.

My advice is to make great choices for breakfast and lunch and splurge for dinner after a long day of playing in the sun! And like others noted have a few drinks, and just enjoy your VACATION!!

Vacation should not be stressful :drinker: :happy:

Very good, moderate advice.

Vacation, for me, is filled with activity - walking, swimming, snorkeling. But it's also a time to relax, enjoy food and drink, and unwind.

If that means I gain a pound or two (which - SURPRISE! never actually happens despite eating above maintenance, because weight gain/loss is not instantaneous but rather the result of long-term habits) it will be gone in a week or two.

Of course, the scale thinks I gained 6-8 pounds after vacation, but the scale is silly and the water retention goes away within days.

firstsip

Eat at maintenance and keep as hydrated as you can to prevent water retention that might make you *think* you've gained weight. Even the people who said they only gained 1-2 lb from blown-out vacations probably were only retaining water.

You already said you're going to keep active. You have the money to spend on an all-inclusive, but you're not going to use what comes with that? You don't have to go overboard to enjoy yourself.

Why the specific focus on sugar and carbs? Do you have insulin or gall bladder issues?

ETA because the meat was for the cat: Whoops, you literally just answered this. You know what to do, then; eat as you would anywhere else, since the resort area you mention will be 75% American food anyway. Still not sure why fat's a concern.

ShannonMpls

I got one problem with indulging and enjoying myself while on vacation. I'm Type 1 diabetic. I have to count carbs to know how much insulin to take. Eating too many carbs will require lots of insulin which is not good since it's the fat storing hormone. Also, when eating too many carbs, sometimes it's hard to track and too much insulin may be taken, therefore, low blood sugar and possible passing out. Then come alcohol, that has a high blood sugar effect first, then a while later a low blood sugar effect due to the livers job.I think I will enjoy my vacation more by avoiding alcohol and too many carbs but that's just me.

Well, this is information that might have been helpful in your original post.

Besides, if you're a Type 1 diabetic, you obviously know how to eat for your blood sugar control better than any of us can advise.

sijomial

Apart from the themed restaurants most of the food is buffet style and I found it to be good quality - so the choice and quantity is all down to you.

I hope you don't let your fear of food or weight gain spoil your vacation, family holidays are precious.

If you want some entertainment try and guess the nationality of your fellow holiday makers by their behaviour at the buffet - it's quite illuminating.