This is how you keep the pounds off
Before the holidays, you paid close attention to your diet and went to the gym once more to appear bikini-proof on the beach. When you get home, the pounds you’ve lost are all back on, and sometimes a few extra. Does that sound familiar? If you make the right choices, you really don’t need to gain weight during the holidays.
By paying a little attention, you can cut down on your calorie intake quite a bit. On vacation, there is a great temptation to nibble and drink more alcohol throughout the day. Try to maintain regularity and have three main meals a day. Stock up on healthy snacks at the local supermarket. Especially in a warm country it is important to have enough water to drink.
When dining out, opt for fresh salads, lots of vegetables, grilled meat or fish and fresh fruit for dessert. Skip the sandwiches on the table. Sauces, dressings and gravies can be served separately so that you can use a small amount. Try to keep the portions a little modest, for example by taking only an appetizer or sharing the main course with someone. Finally, a few tips for the most popular holiday countries:
France
Croissants, pain au chocolat, all kinds of cheeses, wine: France is the country for people who love good food. Unfortunately, it’s not all that good for the line. How is it possible that many French people are such slender pines? Try out their eating habits while on vacation. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Enjoy an extensive lunch and evening meal at your leisure at the table, so that you no longer feel like snacking. Save the tasty cheeses for after dinner and then taste a small piece, rather than eating large amounts on bread. A glass of red wine is healthy, but stick to a glass. Do not have breakfast with croissants and chocolate bread every day, but also opt for a bowl of low-fat cottage cheese.
Spain
When you think of Spain, you immediately think of tapas, paella and tortilla. Spaniards eat later than we are used to. Lunch is scheduled for around three o’clock and dinner does not start before ten o’clock. Typical Spanish are also the generous use of olive oil and seasonings such as onions, garlic and parsley. The fish and seafood often on the menu in Spain are a good choice if you want to watch your weight, as long as you don’t opt for fried fish. Rather skip fatty sausage.
Germany
Germany is known for its beer and bratwurst, but there is also a lot of healthy food to be found. The heavy, dark bread in combination with lean meat or 30+ cheese already provides a light breakfast and lunch. In the evening, opt for unbreaded fish and meats with rice or regular potatoes instead of fried and fried side dishes. Portions are often large in restaurants. Try to eat a normal portion by considering whether you are still really hungry.
Italy
Italy is the land of pizza, pasta and of course ice cream. Pastas with red sauces and lots of vegetables make a lean meal. White sauces are higher in calories and it is therefore better to leave them alone. A simple pizza margherita with a thin crust, tomato sauce, cheese and oregano is not nearly as calorie bomb as a thick version with different cheeses. You can also share a pizza with your table companion and order a salad with it. Enjoying ice cream or tiramisu once is of course not a disaster, but alternate it with desserts of fresh fruit and ice pops.
Turkey
Turkish pizzas and kebab sandwiches have now penetrated the Dutch fast food offering. Turkish cuisine is much more extensive than that, each region has its own specialties. The Turkish version of tapas is called ‘meze’ and also consists of small hot and cold dishes. Grilled meat and fish, stuffed vegetables and salads are always a good choice. If you have booked an all-inclusive trip, try to resist the temptation to brag endlessly. Breakfast with yogurt and fruit, swap the baklava for a piece of watermelon, eat a lot of salads and rather have one glass of wine followed by water than all kinds of mixed drinks.
