I love USA road trips, and I often head to America to visit friends or explore a new state. But my one BIG problem with every trip is that I always seem to put on weight. The USA is like no other country when it comes to food. Portions are typically LARGE, sugar and fat content can be excessive, and far fewer healthy choices exist; even when I order a side of broccoli or sprouts, they usually come smothered in butter or honey.
Now I’m not blaming a whole nation for my weight gain; ultimately, I can control what goes into my mouth and say, ‘No thank you, ma’am’. But temptation is excellent, and as much as I complain, they know how to make some tasty grub. So if you spend some time stateside and don’t want to pile on the pounds, keeping your eating habits in check will take a conscious effort.
Snack wisely: Snacking is a sure way to pile on calories without noticing. If you’re eating large meals (which you probably will be), avoiding snacks is best. If you’re going to be making a road trip or are a serial snacker, use snack time to catch up on your 5-a-day; limit choices to fruit, vegetable dippers, or at least something with protein and nutrition. You MUST avoid processed snacks such as candy and chips.
Count calories: One positive in recent years is that most US restaurants now show the calorie count next to each meal. Discovering how many calories are in your favourite travel meals can be shocking, but it is an important reminder. If you have 2-3 meals a day, limiting each meal’s calorie count to under 1,000 calories is a good start.
Listen to your body: If you’re not hungry, don’t eat. It sounds simple, but we all know it’s much tougher when surrounded by temptation. The key is to listen to your body’s cues and not be swayed by the plethora of food around you.
Walk/Exercise: The USA has breathtaking national parks, scenic trails, and vibrant cities perfect for walking. Incorporate physical activity into your travel plans. Whether it’s a morning jog, a hike, or even just walking around the city, keeping active can help counteract those extra calories. Aim to get at least 12,000 steps in per day to fight against that weight gain.
Mindful fasting: One tip I usually take is to limit my eating hours. I follow an 18/6 or 16/8 fasting schedule (only eating for 6 or 8 hours of the day). That often means skipping a meal; I usually make lunch my first meal, allowing me to enjoy dinner and drinks in the evening. Fasting is a great way to reduce calories and still allow yourself to indulge at specific meal times.
Water is your friend: Limiting or avoiding weight gain in the US must be a compromise. If you eat more than your average calories, you must ensure you aren’t drinking more calories too. Avoiding all sugary drinks. Upping your water intake can make a huge difference. It sounds simple, but drinking plenty of water limits your calorie intake and can curb hunger and help avoid overeating.
These are helpful tips and techniques to limit your weight gain while visiting the US; it’s certainly not going to be a diet. Do your best, but if you still find yourself putting on weight, you’ll soon be able to work off those extra pounds when you get back home and into a more controlled environment. Most importantly, don’t stress about it. Stress can significantly add to weight gain. So if you can’t keep your discipline, don’t allow yourself to worry and stress; if you will overindulge, at least enjoy yourself!
