Health tips for a self-catering holiday…

Holidays disrupt your normal routine, and if you are trying to lose weight, it’s possible to lose track of things. However, you can still ace your self-catering holiday on a weight loss diet like a boss by following these easy weight loss tips. As a bonus, we have included a few choice recipes to keep the healthy diet mojo going. So that you can lose weight on holiday.

1.    Research weight loss advice

You are heading out to new territory. Away from all your favourite joints and activities. It’s tempting to hit the first restaurant you see. Even more tempting to try out their house specials. Chances are that the meal is loaded with carbs and will hurt your weight loss diet. Holidays can also cause you to splurge, and eating full meals afterwards will only increase your calories. Consider using a calorie counter to keep track of your meals. Take time to do some personal research weight loss tips on where you can find healthy foods and what exactly to order.

Visit the local farmers market to see what healthy options are available. Preparing your meals is one of our best weight loss tips. The visit will also give you a chance to add some walking to your schedule. Keeping you active and helping you to lose weight on holiday.

2.    Plan Ahead for holiday weight loss

If you are travelling abroad for your self-catered holiday, our weight loss advice is to pack a stash of veggies. Some European countries do not cater well for vegetarians which may harm your weight loss diet. Also, if you are on a low-carb diet, the vegetables will help you fill up and prevent you from going overboard with the calories. It is also possible that your favourite foods are not available or the local cuisine may not favor your diet. Plan, and take essential products with you.

3.    Carry Some Frozen Food

You are going on holiday. So you probably want to rest and have fun as much as possible. Carrying frozen meals will save you a lot of cooking time, and will be good for your budget. A few weeks before heading out, make twice as much food and freeze it. While flying out, pack the meals in an icebox to keep them fresh. The frozen food will ensure that you remain true to your weight loss diet. In the process, you get to save some money.

4.    Maintain Your Exercise Routine

Vacation time does not equal slacking time. You may be miles away from your local gym. But your fitness regime is still an essential part of your holiday weight loss. Something as simple as fast walking or jogging will help you log in some exercise time. You can also take advantage of technology and download a few easy workouts. Staying active for 15-30 minutes a day will keep the endorphins flowing, and burn any excess calories.

5.    Go Slow on the Alcohol

Alcohol is high in calories. Being on vacation can tempt you to overindulge. But these liquid calories still count. Go easy on beer and fruity drinks as they are the biggest culprits when it comes to liquid calories. If you want to enjoy pure alcohols, take them straight or use a low-calorie mixer. Adding a mixer such as lemonade or soda water will balance out the calories. So you can still lose weight on holiday.

6.    Don’t Skip Meals

Skipping meals is not wise even if you are trying to lose weight on holiday. The whole holiday experience could distract and cause you to forget a meal or two. Skipping meals will not only reduce your energy levels but will also cause you to snack throughout the day. Most snacks are loaded with carbs, and this will interfere with your weight loss diet. Follow these weight loss tips to keep your energy up and avoid snacking.

7.    Have Fun

Vacations are a time to unwind and give your body a much-needed break. Whether you are on a weight loss diet or not, make merry while the holiday lasts. Once in a while drop the weight loss tips, have a slice of cake, a bite of chocolate, or go out for a luxurious meal. Find a happy medium, in which you are eating healthily but still sticking to your weight loss diet. Keep a food diary if you need to, but don’t let your weight loss diet keep you from having fun.

Easy recipes for your self-catering holiday on a weight loss diet

If you have a self-catered holiday planned and are looking for meals to include, here are a few recipes and weight loss tips to try. These weight loss tips are all very easy to make and use cheap but will help you with holiday weight loss. Enjoy.

Porridge with blueberry compote (serves 2)

• 6 tbsp porridge oats
• 95ml 0% fat Greek-style yogurt
• 175g frozen blueberries
• 1 tsp honey (optional)

1. Put the oats in a non-stick pan with 400ml water and cook over low heat, occasionally stirring for about 2 minutes until thickened. Remove from the heat and add a third of the yogurt.
2. Meanwhile, tip the blueberries into a pan with 1 tbsp water and the honey. Gently poach until the blueberries have thawed and they are tender. But still holding their shape.
3. Spoon the porridge into bowls. Top with the remaining yogurt and spoon over the blueberries.

Egg and rocket pizzas (serves 2)

• 2 seeded wraps
• A little olive oil, for brushing
• 1 roasted red pepper, from a jar
• 2 tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tbsp chopped dill
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 2 eggs
• 65g pack rocket
• Half a red onion, very thinly sliced

1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Lay the tortillas on two baking sheets, brush sparingly with the oil then bake for 3 mins. Meanwhile, chop the pepper and tomatoes and mix with the tomato purée, seasoning, and herbs. Turn the tortillas over and spread with the tomato mixture, leaving the centre free from any large pieces of pepper or tomato.

1. Break an egg into the centre then return to the oven for 10 mins or until the egg is just set and the tortilla is crispy around the edges. Serve scattered with the rocket and onion

Lemony prawn pasta (serves 4)

• 300g short pasta shapes
• 1 head broccoli, cut into small florets
• 200g large cooked prawns halved
• 3 tbsp crème fraîche or double cream
• Juice of half a lemon

1. Cook the pasta following pack instructions, scooping out a bit of the cooking water as it cooks. Three minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli to the pan and cook for 3 minutes more. Drain, then tip back into the pan.

1. Reduce the heat to very low and gently stir the prawns, crème fraîche, lemon juice, and some seasoning. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if it looks too thick, and then serve when everything is hot.

Kidney bean curry (serves 2)

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• Thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 small pack coriander, stalks finely chopped, leaves roughly shredded
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground paprika
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 400g can chopped tomatoes
• 400g can kidney beans, in water
• Cooked basmati rice, to serve

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over low-medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook slowly, occasionally stirring, until softened and just starting to colour. Add the garlic, ginger and coriander stalks and cook for a further 2 mins, until fragrant.
2. Add the spices to the pan and cook for another 1 min, by which point everything should smell aromatic. Tip in the chopped tomatoes and kidney beans in their water. Then bring to boil.
3. Turn down the heat and simmer for 15 mins until the curry is nice and thick. Season to taste. Then serve with the basmati rice and the coriander leaves.

Lose weight on holiday with The Slimming Clinic

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