Traveling is a major diet pitfall for most people. The convenience and ease of fast food is quite tempting, but as we all know, eating fast food comes at a cost! People who go on frequent business trips are often the most challenged when it comes to sticking with a diet. Most airlines do not offer meals, and the ones that do have high calorie meals. The allure of the expense account can derail dieters because they can eat on the company's money, so all of a sudden that 12 oz filet mignon is a must-have! Planning before you travel is the best way to avoid diet derailment.
Call the Airline
If the airline is serving a meal on the plane, if you call early enough, sometimes you can get a low-fat, low-calorie meal. You can also opt for a vegetarian meal, if that is an option. If no meal is served, make sure you pack some snacks like fruit, vegetables, or granola bars. This way you don't end up eating 6 bags of peanuts because you're struck with hunger halfway through the flight!
Explore Your Surroundings
For those on a business trip, after you get to the hotel, walk around the area or ask the front desk to find some healthy eating locations. Instead of settling for the fast food that's right across the street, walk a little further and you might find a little cafe that sells healthy sandwiches and salads.
Doing a little exploring is also a good way to find a little grocery store where you might be able to pick up a few things. Pick up some fruit or vegetables that you can eat before going out for that big business dinner. Or you can even pick up some options for breakfast, like cereal bars - eating breakfast will give your metabolism a big kick start for the day.
Skip the Alcohol and the Minibar
Alcohol consumption tacks on a significant amount of calories. When you're at dinner, skip the glass of wine, or just limit yourself to one. If the hotel offers you the key to your minibar, simply decline it. There is usually nothing in there that will help you out with your diet.
Exercise
Being away on a business trip is no reason to skip out on your workout. Many hotels have a fitness center, which is a great way to get in your workout for the day. Make sure you pack your clothes and your shoes beforehand so there is no reason not to work out.
Get Support
Tell the other people you are traveling with about your desire to stick to your diet. This will more than likely lead to healthier dining options. You may even find someone who didn't speak up, but also wanted to stick to his diet.
Traveling does not have to mean eating every meal at a fast food restaurant. Planning ahead of time can save you a lot of headache later, and probably a few extra pounds!
Whatever your blood cholesterol level, you can make changes to help lower it or keep it low and reduce your risk for heart disease. These are guidelines for heart-healthy living that the whole family (including children ages 2 and above) can follow: 1) Choose foods low in saturated fat. All foods that contain fat are made up of a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fat raises your blood cholesterol level more than anything else you eat. The best way to reduce blood cholesterol is to choose foods lower in saturated fat. One way to help your family do this is by choosing foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains--foods naturally low in total fat and high in starch and fiber.
2) Choose foods low in total fat. Since many foods high in total fat are also high in saturated fat, eating foods low in total fat will help your family eat less saturated fat. When you do eat fat, substitute unsaturated fat--either polyunsaturated or monounsaturated--for saturated fat. Fat is a rich source of calories, so eating foods low in fat will also help you eat fewer calories. Eating fewer calories can help you lose weight--and, if you are overweight, losing weight is an important part of lowering your blood cholesterol. (Consult your family doctor if you have a concern about your child's weight.)
3) Choose foods high in starch and fiber. Foods high in starch and fiber are excellent substitutes for foods high in saturated fat. These foods--breads, cereals, pasta, grains, fruits, and vegetables--are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are also lower in calories than foods that are high in fat. But limit fatty toppings and spreads like butter and sauces made with cream and whole milk dairy products. Foods high in starch and fiber are also good sources of vitamins and minerals. When eaten as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, foods with soluble fiber--like oat and barley bran and dry peas and beans--may help to lower blood cholesterol.
4) Choose foods low in cholesterol. Remember, dietary cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol, although usually not as much as saturated fat. So it's important for your family to choose foods low in dietary cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol is found only in foods that come from animals. And even if an animal food is low in saturated fat, it may be high in cholesterol; for instance, organ meats like liver and egg yolks are low in saturated fat but high in cholesterol. Egg whites and foods from plant sources do not have cholesterol.
5) Be more physically active. Being physically active helps improve blood cholesterol levels: it can raise HDL and lower LDL. Being more active also can help you lose weight, lower your blood pressure, improve the fitness of your heart and blood vessels, and reduce stress. And being active together is great for the entire family.
6) Maintain a healthy weight, and lose weight if you are overweight. People who are overweight tend to have higher blood cholesterol levels than people of a healthy weight. Overweight adults with an "apple" shape--bigger (pot) belly--tend to have a higher risk for heart disease than those with a "pear" shape--bigger hips and thighs.
Whatever your body shape, when you cut the fat in your diet, you cut down on the richest source of calories. A family eating pattern high in starch and fiber instead of fat is a good way to help control weight. Do not go on crash diets that are very low in calories since they can be harmful to your health. If you are overweight, losing even a little weight can help to lower LDL-cholesterol and raise HDL-cholesterol.
Both Michael Greeves & Frank Schliff are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Michael Greeves has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Build Muscle and Metabolism. Michael Greeves, CEO and founder of Hyperstrike, wanted to develop an affordable fitness program for individuals and athletes that could be customized to their personal abilities and goals, and be delivered to any one, any where, any time. Learn more abou. Michael Greeves's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Frank Schliff has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hoodia, appetite suppression and Atkins. Professional research on organisational issues and matters that importat. While I promote , I continue to monitor business and marketing. Frank Schliff's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.