Health expert: Cruises can be good for you

mercedes · January 6, 2009

A common criticism of cruising is that it's all about eating -- and gaining weight. But there's no reason a cruise has to be a gorge fest, says health guru Sandy Pukel. In fact, a cruise vacation is the perfect opportunity to get serious about your health and well-being, says the organizer of the annual Holistic Holiday at Sea cruises offered by non-profit educational foundation A Taste of Health.

USA TODAY's Gene Sloan talks with Pukel, who has authored a new cookbook, Greens and Grains on the Deep Blue Sea (Squareone, $16.95). The book offers recipes for vegetarian dishes served on the cruises. The next Holistic Holiday at Sea voyage will take place March 1-8 in the Caribbean on a chartered Costa Cruises vessel.

Q: Are you shocked by what you see in the dining rooms and buffet lines of cruise ships?

A: I, and my right-hand man, John Belleme, who cruises extensively, are frequently shocked to see the quantities of food that people pile on their plates and feel obligated to try to eat. The mentality behind it may be that they paid for it, so go for it.

Q: What's the biggest mistake you see people making, health-wise, on ships?

A: Overeating is the No. 1 mistake. For example, who goes to a restaurant (on land) and eats two or maybe three desserts? It’s not uncommon to see people on cruises gorging themselves on (multiple) desserts; I’ve witnessed this over-the-top behavior many times. What do these people think is going to happen to their bodies after consuming 30 to 40 servings of pie or cake during a single week?

Q: What are your top tips for a healthy cruise experience?

A. First, revel in the trip itself, marvel at the natural world that’s all around your sea-going vessel, and wring out of your vacation as much fun and relaxation as you can. Of course, most will want to try new culinary delights, but you are under no obligation to try all of them or to finish all that you try.

Q: What else?

A: Remember to chew your food extraordinarily well; that, alone, goes a long way to help curb over-eating. Vow to use the stairs as much as possible; by doing so, all your organs – especially your heart, brain, and digestive system – will thank you for being a seafaring mountain goat. Hit the gym. Walk briskly. Run around the ship’s perimeter or do laps in its pool. At ports, walk about and take a hike where possible. On or off the ship, banish sunburns; an unprotected day in strong sun can ruin your entire vacation.

Q: What would you like to see cruise lines do differently?

A: I would like to see cruise lines offer fresh vegetables and whole grains to everyone. I am amazed at how little thought goes into providing fresh ingredients. Healthy foods and fun do not have to be exclusive of one another aboard these ships.

deb1220 · January 6, 2009

I have to admit that I'm one of those that figures since I paid for it I'm going to eat my fair share. But that doesn't mean I'm going to "gorge" myself. I eat more on a cruise than I would at home - of course.... I'm on a cruise. When I'm on a ship I do alot of walking and do take the stairs more often than not. Unless you're someone that goes on a cruise every other week I say all diets are off when you're on that ship. Oh well!

Thanks for the post, Carmen :biggrin:

TheSkipper · January 7, 2009

Good information. Thanks Carmen for the post.

DebbieandJerry · January 7, 2009

Good article and definitely "food for thought". However, I enjoy the splurging. We don't go out to eat during the normal course of the year. I don't cook gourmet. We rarely eat red meat and don't drink. Desserts are soley for vacation. So why not? Sure, it's all within reason. But that is truly one of the reasons why we cruise -- the food!

But, I agree that more fresh fruits and veggies need to be available.

elfed · January 9, 2009

What makes me mad is to see the great quantity of food left on diners' plates. Surely people are aware of what a buffet is. It strikes me there are some cruisers out there who never go out to eat in their hometown and gorge themselves on home cooking and try to emulate that on board a cruise ship.

Normally in the ships' dining rooms quality usually beats quantity. Portions are nicely balanced to give one a satisfactory meal. In our experience, I don't think any of our fellow table guests have asked for seconds.I agree Cruises can and should be good for you provided one doesn't over-indulge.

Regards,

James.

mercedes · January 9, 2009

What makes me mad is to see the great quantity of food left on diners' plates. Surely people are aware of what a buffet is. It strikes me there are some cruisers out there who never go out to eat in their hometown and gorge themselves on home cooking and try to emulate that on board a cruise ship.
Normally in the ships' dining rooms quality usually beats quantity. Portions are nicely balanced to give one a satisfactory meal. In our experience, I don't think any of our fellow table guests have asked for seconds.I agree Cruises can and should be good for you provided one doesn't over-indulge.

Regards,

James.

James, I totally agree with you.

GottaCruz · January 9, 2009

So true but I'm one of those that eats more on a cruise than at home. I enjoy eating or sampling those things that I haven't tried or the things that I like that my family doesn't enjoy. What I like about the buffets is having a taste of this and that. The funny thing is that I usually don't gain weight on the cruise, but I gain a bit after I come home because I'm not doing as much exercise at home as on the ship and I've stretched my stomach by eating more. I 'm getting better, with practice, though.

DebbieandJerry · January 9, 2009

I definitely agree about the waste and abundance (i.e., gloutany) issue. I am always reminded as to how abundant we are in this country when we go on our cruises and visit 3rd world places.