Dietitians spend lots of their working hours counseling individuals and businesses about food choices. But when their own vacations roll around, do they stick with their standard dining strategies?
Atlanta dietitians answered that question, sharing what they eat on vacay. Their approaches might work for anyone looking to "get away from it all" without returning home with pounds of extra weight.
Page Love
MS, RD, CSSD, Nutrifit Sport Therapy Inc. in Atlanta
A leading expert on sports nutrition and eating disorders, Love consults with individuals and companies and travels extensively on the job. In June 2016 she worked as the sport dietitian for the WTA at Wimbledon.
Love feels that a person should be able to mindfully enjoy the treats of that locale when she vacations. "My intuitive approach to having decadent meals or dessert on vacation is to let my body feel the fullness of each type of nutrient or food group and then decide the next time I eat just what I am hungry for, or what my body needs," she said. "If I indulge and have a steak on occasion, which I do, I may crave a vegetarian meal for the next meal or a lighter protein like fish."
Love may choose to walk after a heavier meal, or play some tennis. "I may feel I want to move my body in a healthy way after a denser meal, not to necessarily burn off all the calories, but to get the heaviness in the gut moving," she said. "Listening to your body is key to determining what and how much we need to be able to still enjoy yummy foods, no matter where you are when you eat."
Rahaf Al Bochi
RD, CDE, Olive Tree Nutrition in Atlanta
Al Bochi provides nutrition counseling, addressing such issues as diabetes, weight management, cholesterol, vegetarian eating and family nutrition. She enjoys working with people, empowering and motivating them to reach their health goals.
When her family heads out on vacation, they try local foods and restaurants. "This helps us get a better appreciation of the culture and traditions," she said. "There are many different food flavors, spices, fruits, vegetables, fish and even cooking techniques that are unique to a certain geographic area."
Sampling local cuisine doesn't mean giving up on nutrition, though. "We aim for balanced meals," Al Bochi said. "And we make sure to drink plenty of water and fluids to ensure that we are well hydrated."
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