CRUISING FOOD |
DR TSHIDI Gule, the founder of Medispace Lifestyle Institute, shares some tips how not to overeat on your next cruise:
Make time for morning physical activity:
Nothing prepares the body for incoming calories better than daily physical activity. “This is crucial on a cruise because it’s often the first healthy habit we abandon. Movement not only improves digestion, it also releases feelgood hormones (which curbs overeating) and reduces the hunger hormone that can lead to overeating,” she said. Gule said adopting this daily sets you up for a healthier focus on your daily meals by allowing you to “crave” healthier options.
Portion control:
Ever heard of the term “portion smortion”? Dr Gule invented it to describe how one should plan their meals. She suggests that cruisers take one plate, eat one carb, one protein, and three vegetable per portion at a time. “The eyes feast before the mouth does, so triggering the brain into portion smortion mode inspires a ‘moderation is a key’ approach. Trust me, it works!” Dr Gule said.
Drink water:
Studies have shown that people do not consume enough water to meet their daily needs. Not only is this dangerous for kidney health (dehydration slows down the kidneys’ ability to detoxify the body), it often leads to overeating when one confuses thirst with hunger.
“By drinking adequate amounts of water a day, before and after meals, the body processes the food better, improving absorption and metabolic function. This leads to a stabilised blood sugar level, preventing swinging levels that can lead to a binge-eating experience,” she said.
Snack:
Many cruise ships offer healthier options on board for all kinds of foodies. Keep a snack bowl in your cabin, which can include pocket-sized servings of nuts, fresh fruit (low GI), high-fibre snack bars and gum.
It is perfectly fine to indulge at times, but with moderation: Gule said if people practised the portion smortion philosophy for two days, they could indulge on the third day. “This, coupled the daily physical activity, reduces the drastic changes in waist size,” she added.