Holiday cuisine – what to eat and what to avoid

If you have spent months being sensible with your diet to ensure you feel confident on the beach, it can be tempting to let go on holiday and eat everything in sight.

While we always encourage the odd treat (especially on holiday), you may find that eating a diet high in fat and sugar on holiday makes it more difficult to revert to your healthier diet once you get home.

We don’t believe in fad diets here, just a healthy lifestyle. To ensure this translates on holiday – try to avoid the following foods from popular holiday locations.

Italy

The home of quality cuisine, Italy is always going to test your willpower. Moderation here is key, so avoid pizzas covered in cheese and fatty meats as these will pile on the pounds quickly. Opt for thin crust versions topped with vegetables instead. Another dish to avoid is creamy Carbonara; try pastas with tomato sauces and fresh herbs as an alternative. Why not indulge in some seafood too and get a side ‘insalata’ – Italian salad drizzled in olive oil.

Greece

Greek food is pretty healthy already, but there are a few dishes you might want to steer clear of. Moussaka contains lamb, aubergine and potatoes smothered in a creamy sauce – tasty but calorific, one portion can rack up 550 calories. Baklava is another dish to side-step where possible, full of butter and sugar it can be hard on the liver.

Instead, try a Greek salad with tomato, cucumber and feta – it’s authentic, delicious and healthy. Another dish to try is dolmades – vine leaves stuffed with rice and healthy spices.

Spain

Many of us think tapas is a healthy option when we head to Spain, but there are some small dishes to avoid when ordering tapas. Fatty chorizo, cheese stuffed peppers and deep fried potatoes quickly add up, so instead look out for lighter options such as olives, tortillas and oily fish. If you don’t fancy tapas try a national favourite, squid, with salad for a fulfilling and nutritious meal.