PASTRY-filled breakfasts, bustling buffet restaurants and poolside cocktails – is it any wonder many of us return from holiday carrying a bit of extra baggage? Despite our efforts to get “ beach body ready” before jetting off, it seems the second we step on the sand, our healthy eating endeavours fizzle out faster than a punctured lilo. Incredibly, Brits scoff an average 50,000 calories a week during an all-inclusive holiday – around three times the recommended intake. In some cases, we wolf down an extra 1,000 calories a day, so it’s no surprise a third of us gain weight while abroad.
Dietitian Azmina Govindji says: “When we go on holiday, we often see this as a chance to be indulgent – and there’s nothing wrong with that. “But beware of mindless eating – those times when you’re reaching for an unhealthy snack just because it’s there, or having an extra drink. READ MORE ON WEIGHT LOSS “Stay on top of that and you’re less likely to pile on the pounds.
” Lynsey Hope asked three women to keep diaries showing what they ate while they were on holiday – and you might be surprised to find out how much weight they gained, or even lost . . .
I GOT CARRIED AWAY WITH THE TASTY SPREADS Breakfast: Deep fried ham and cheese toasties, croissants, chocolate muffins, bacon and eggs, chip butty. Lunch: Burger with fries or calamari with chips. Afternoon snacks: Chicken wings, nachos and tapas.
Ice cream sundae. Dinner: Seafood platter or paella, bread, chocolate cake. Drinks: Vodka and Redbull, mocktails, cocktails MICHELLE LOPEZ, 38, a childcare assistant from Wimbledon, South West London, gained a stone while in Ibiza with husband Juan, 38, a musician, and their children Issy, 15, and nine-year-old Tommy.
She says: I recently got down to a size 14 and 13st 8lbs for the first time since having my children. Most read in Fabulous But this holiday was a chance to spoil myself and I got carried away. Every day, we were first in line for the breakfast buffet.
The hotel made amazing toasties for breakfast. I’d grab two. Croissants, yoghurts and doughnuts were my other treats.
One day I even tried a chip butty in the morning. For lunch, I’d order cheeseburgers, fries and onion rings and scoff them by the pool, washed down with sugary mocktails. The kids and I would then create our own ice-cream sundaes.
At home I only drink alcohol on the weekend, but a cocktail menu was included and I tried them all, including creamy daiquiris. The pool snack bar made nachos with three cheeses and creamy dips, which I couldn’t resist. In the evening we’d spend two hours at the buffet – I always had seconds.
I’m back up to a size 16-18 and 14st 8lbs. and feel I paid for the holiday twice – once in British pounds, then with the extra pounds around my waist. I TOOK MORE FOOD PHOTOS THAN PICS OF US Breakfast: Cold meats, cheese, olives, eggs Benedict, pastries.
Lunch: Salad or grilled fish. Afternoon tea: Sandwiches, pastries, scones with jam and cream. Dinner: Peri-peri chicken with salad, spag bol or seafood pasta.
Ice cream. Evening snacks: Chicken wings. Drinks: Cocktails, white wine and Prosecco.
ANGELA REID, 54, a grandmother and taxation expert, from Barking, Essex , gained half a stone while on holiday in Dubai with civil servant husband David. She says: Ever since I became perimenopausal aged 45, I’ve had to watch my weight. At home, I try to keep to two meals a day, with lean meat, pulses, grains and salad.
My weight then sticks at 14st. My biggest downfall is holiday food. I took full advantage of the all-you-can-eat breakfast, typically spending around two hours on this one meal alone.
At lunch, I would choose a healthy salad or grilled fish. But by mid-afternoon my sweet tooth would kick in and I’d treat myself to afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and cakes. I was on holiday and it was a chance to spoil myself.
In the evening, we’d enjoy a three-course meal with bread. The food was luxurious and I took more photos of the food than I did of the views! Cocktails and wine also added to my calorie count. The hotel offered round-the-clock snacks, so sometimes we’d order chicken wings before bed.
It’s no surprise I put on weight, going up to 14st 7lbs. I’ll have to go back to my two meals a day now and cut out alcohol to try to shift those extra pounds. STRESS LEVELS FELL AND STEP COUNT SOARED Breakfast: Protein yoghurt, watermelon and churros with caramel sauce.
Lunch: Chicken and salad or tapas. Snack: Protein shake. Dinner: Grated veg salad, chicken in black bean sauce with egg fried rice or vegetable noodles.
Dessert: Gelato. Drinks: Black coffee, Coke Zero and mint tea. TEJ PATEL, 42, is a body transformation specialist from Harrow, North West London.
She holidayed in Gran Canaria with a friend and her two children aged 12 and ten. She says: I was surprised that I lost weight on holiday as I definitely ate more than usual. I’m a size 8 and I went from 7st 8lbs to 7st 7lbs.
I work in the fitness industry and always try to stay active when I’m away. There was a gym at our hotel and I went twice, for 20 minutes each time. But I love walking near the sea, so I increased my step count massively, doing between 22,000 and 26,000 a day.
I also did a 15 to 20-minute body weight session on our balcony every other day. Generally we go on all-inclusive holidays, but this time we were only bed and breakfast, so we ate out for all other meals. I was worried it would be hard to find healthy options, but there was lots of salad on offer.
I was by no means counting every calorie – and I certainly didn’t eat any less than usual. I had churros every day and gelato. READ MORE SUN STORIES Perhaps I lost weight as I wasn’t as stressed as usual? I’m always so busy at home, working and running around after the kids.
PSYCHOLOGIST Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley says: “Holiday weight gain often stems from a ‘treat yourself’ mentality, leading to overeating and less mindful choices. On a break, people often feel the need to make the most of their time away. “This can lead to a sense of urgency to indulge in foods and experiences they do not normally try.
That encourages us to over-indulge. “To manage this, remind yourself that you can enjoy treats in moderation without the need to over-consume. This is often about seeking comfort and a break from the stresses of life.
“With an abundance of food and relaxation, holidays make it easy to justify eating more. But this needs to be kept in check.”.
