When spending time abroad or moving to a different country, convenience is something we all want when it comes to food. In order to get the most out of our limited time when on vacation or if we’re in the process of moving and have a mammoth list of tasks to do, many of us will tend to just go for what’s there in front of us rather than search around.
Eating the most convenient food available isn’t always the best option for our bodies. It’s easy when in a foreign location to be seduced by the local culinary delights, over-indulge, and find our waistlines widening. Germany is known for its amazing food, such as its selection of speciality meat dishes and fine, rich desserts which you’ll no doubt want to enjoy. So what can you do to stay on top of your health and fitness without sacrificing eating the foods you find appealing?
Here is are a few tips:
1. Don’t Binge – Eat Little and Often
One mistake many of us make when going about our day is to cram too much sustenance into one sitting. The less frequently you eat, the more likely your body is to hold on to the fat you consume as it doesn’t know when the next meal is going to be. Having smaller meals more often will encourage your body to be more sparing with the energy it stores. It’s easier on your body and on your waistline. Instead of eating one or two large meals per day, it is advantageous to opt for four or five smaller ones.
2. Same Food, Cooked Differently
A simple way of keeping a healthy diet without sacrificing the foods you love is to take a different approach to preparing them. Again, for convenience, many people like to fry or even deep-fry meats and potatoes. But oven-baking or grilling them, while it may be a little more time-consuming, is a healthier option in most cases.
3. Dine at the Right Time
We all want to do our best to adapt to the local customs when in Europe, but having dinner late at night or just before you go to bed can put a lot of pressure on your body. It’s tougher for your digestive system to process food while you’re in the process of shutting down for the day. Also your body will store what you eat as fat if it can’t properly process it. So give your system time to work. Try to eat your evening meal at a reasonable time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
4. Stay Active
Eating the foods you love isn’t something you have to give up if you can find time to exercise. You don’t have to spend “hours on end” each day in the gym. However, an hour or so light exercise each day can help you to stay healthy and keep the pounds off. Getting the whole family outside on bikes or on trails is great fun and especially easy in Germany, where there are so many options for routes.
5. Be Aware of Your GDA
Losing weight and eating healthily isn’t always or only about dieting. It’s also about being aware of what you’re putting into your body. Take notice of the nutritional information on the food you buy at the supermarket. Sticking within your guideline daily amounts (GDA) when it comes to fat can help you to live more healthily, without having to adhere to a particular diet regime.
Author Profile Lucy who works for ExpressDoctor, a UK based online provider of prescription medicine. In her free time she loves to socialize with her friends and enjoys working out at her local gym in the evening.
