Cruise to Success by Jennifer Pereira
Many of my clients happily report they are going on a cruise. But then they regretfully complain of all the weight they will gain from the endless availability of food. I try to encourage them to listen to their internal cues of hunger and fullness, and I remind them that when they return home to normal eating, the weight will normalize as well. As it turns out, I was able to experience this for myself recently, which provided some interesting perspective on the cruising experience.
A friend joked with me that you have to eat before you are hungry on a cruise. Big mistake. On all vacations, if a person can remain in tune with their internal cues, they will eat just the right amounts for their body. Because I try to eat every two to three hours, I packed snacks (as I always recommend on vacations) so that I would have instant access to foods that I knew would not leave me feeling too full. The other bonus is that the snacks prevent excessive hunger as well, so that mealtime does not become a food extravaganza.
One thing I noticed that is helpful is to focus on food quality. The buffets were not nearly as good as the formal dining room. If I began eating something that was not delicious, I stopped because I knew I had access to all sorts of good foods and would not waste one bite on anything short of scrumptious. My husband commented on the cheesecake not having enough sugar, and I teased him about finishing every last bite before heading off to find something that would satisfy him.
This is not to say there were no times of excess. I did hit the midnight Mexican buffet one night. I was not hungry for it, but I did go with my friend to join her in the fun. The feeling afterward was not pleasant. But I did not give it too much thought and simply recommitted myself to pay attention to my cues. It does no good to feel a tremendous sense of guilt—this just sets one up to go on to eat more from the remorse.
So from my experience, there are clearly tools one can use to simply enjoy their cruise rather than fear the food. First, you have to pack the snacks to prevent excessive hunger. Second, you must tune into your body’s hunger/fullness cues to ensure proper portions. Third, you need to demand quality—if it does not taste great, put the fork down. With these tools in hand, you can navigate any vacation situation with ease and enjoyment.
(Photo: Lorissa Shepstone)
Jennifer Pereira is a Registered Dietitian, Licensed Dietitian, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist based in Arlington, Texas. She focuses on nutrition and body image here at All Things Girl. Her website is: Nutrition Paradox.
