Travel is known for being difficult on your waistline. From the fast food at the airport to the jet lag from traveling, balancing food and travel can seem a bit tough -- especially in a decadent city like Las Vegas. Luckily for you, with a little know-how and some simple preparation, you can turn any city into your wellness mecca. Here are three things to keep in mind when betting on health during your next trip to the strip:
1.Eat at a buffet at least once during your trip. Vegas wouldn't be Vegas without the gluttony of a big buffet and, if you choose wisely, you too can feel the thrill of watching the dirty dish pile gather next to you as you scarf down some tasty treats -- but only if you know what to load all those plates up with in the first place. Keep in mind that if you banish yourself from the all-you-can-eat, you may feel unsatisfied and find yourself raiding your mini-bar later on, only to be feeling it in the belly and your wallet the next day. So when choosing a buffet, pick a seafood buffet. These are a bit pricier on the front-end, but you are getting high-nutrient and low-calorie items such as crab, shrimp and lobster. A whole lobster only has 135 calories, along with 28 grams of protein and 1 gram of fat. The "Best Bets" for seafood buffets are:
•Village Seafood Buffet, 3700 W. Flamingo Road Las Vegas, NV 89103
•Bacchanal Buffet @ Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
So run wild on these delicious little crustaceans, but keep it light on the butter dipping.
2.Eat like an old-timer. Vegas may seem like it's filled with sexy male dancers and showgirls, but mature audiences are the bread and butter of this town. That being said, we can take advantage of menus designed for that group. When you are having your morning pancakes, for example, look for things like sugar-free syrup or, at dinner, sugar-free desserts. Smaller, more balanced menus are being offered, you just have to look for them and even ask to order off the Senior Menu. They may not give you the discount, but they will have menu options that have more fiber, lower sugar and smaller portions.
Additionally, you may think the pool party only starts when the DJ is on, but if you roll out of bed and do a few laps in the hotel pool in the AM with a senior crowd, you can burn some calories and keep your day balanced.
3.Stick with beer and wine. Yes, it may seem like they put a giant yard-sized sippy cup filled with booze in your hand as you exit the plane, but those slushy boozy drinks can be your nutrition downfall. A one-yard margarita can have up to 2,000 calories! That's how much you should eat in a day, not in your first drink. Now compare that to a glass of red wine with only 125 calories and wine may also have some health benefits such as reducing risk for heart disease. But, moderation is still important.
Remember, unlike at the blackjack table, if you follow these three rules you'll come out a winner-- guaranteed. Now get out there and have fun.
Be fearless, be full!