Top tips for eating healthily on a cruise

A cruise holiday can be the perfect choice for anyone who wants to make sure that their every need is catered for, as well as being able to see a range of new places. The excitement of going to sleep in one place and then waking up in another can hardly be matched by any other holiday, and the range of entertainment on board means that you’ll never be bored.

But it can be easy to overindulge when you’re surrounded by easily accessible, delicious treats. On a self-catering holiday, you might find it easier to pick up groceries that are closer to those in your weekly shop at home, but on a cruise it’s likely that the food will be richer than you’re used to. 

There’s no problem with enjoying a little of what you fancy – you’re on holiday after all – but on longer cruises it can be sensible to be a little more careful about what you’re eating if you want to keep things similar to your normal food intake. Here, we give some top tips to help you enjoy your cruise food without feeling like you’ve overindulged. 

Maintain a routine

It can be tempting to say yes to every bit of food or every cocktail that gets offered to you, no matter the time of day. But one way to eat healthily on a cruise is to try and keep to your normal routine. So, if you usually have three meals a day and a few light snacks, try and do the same on board, rather than taking full afternoon tea each day. 

There will likely be some light snack options available, like fruit or hummus and crackers, so stick to those if you need to graze. You can then indulge a little at your main meals, knowing that you've kept things balanced, You shouldn't have to miss out on all the treats though, so do allow yourself some days where you sample all the culinary delights on offer if you want to.

Ask for smaller portions

If you want to avoid restricting what you eat, then asking for smaller portions can be a good idea. This way, you get to enjoy all the food to your heart's content, but knowing that you've put some restrictions on how much of it you're eating.

This is easy to do yourself if you're choosing from a buffet. Make sure that there are plenty of fresh items on your plate, and don't overload - you can always go back if you're still hungry. Eat slowly and chew each mouthful carefully to allow the food to digest.

Add salad and vegetables to your meal

Whilst creamy pasta dishes look appealing, eating them every day for several weeks will mean that you soon feel the effects. That doesn't mean that you can't have them, just that it's important to make sure the main food groups on your plate are protein and vegetables. It's a good idea to make sure that there are plenty of items that are good for you on your plate, before adding a few treats.

The most important thing to remember on your cruise holiday is that you are there to enjoy yourself! 

Many thanks to Jessica Pierce, Digital Media Strategist from Sixth Degree Media, for contributing this article.

Want to experience this? Give the Panache Cruises team a call on 0161 513 8200 and they'd be happy to help!