The free continental breakfasts are pretty sugar and starch heavy, and can offer a challenge for those on a low carb diet. For low fat dieters, the outlook is brighter! There are plenty of healthy, low fat and delicious edibles you can enjoy. And you just can't beat free!
Good low fat hotel breakfast foods:
- Yogurt
- Cereals and granola
- Low or non-fat milk
- Oatmeal with brown sugar or raisins
- Pancakes or waffles with maple syrup
- Bagels with a bit of cream cheese
- Whole grain toast, or any available toast, with jelly or honey (no butter, sorry!)
- Any fresh fruit
- Bran muffins
- Juices like orange, grapefruit, apple and grape are often offered
- Coffee, black or with low/non-fat milk - sugar is fine
- Teas, black and herbal
Mainly, you'll want to avoid the butter and most of the pre-made danishes and sweet muffins (which often come loaded with fats - usually of the most evil partially-hydrogenated/transfatty acid kinds). Cream cheese is alright, but you will want to go easy on it.
Go easy on the hardboiled eggs, unless you are happy to just eat the whites, mainly. If you are offered other egg dishes, ask if there are egg beater substitutes, or if you can have just egg whites - the kitchen may be feeling helpful. Salsa is a heart-healthy antioxidant topping for eggs.
Any bacon or sausage you come across is off-limits. Chances are good it's not the lower-fat turkey bacon substitute you enjoy at home.
It's also helpful to use the hotel fitness center, go for an after-meal stroll, or at least do a few laps up and down the stairwells, if you are trying to stay healthy while traveling.
Even just 20 minutes of mild to moderate body movement will go a long way. Your doctor can help you come up with a heart-healthy travel plan. If you travel a lot, maintaining a low fat diet with a simple exercise regime can be a literal life-saver!
Read the traveler's diet discussion: Join this thread to share tips on hotel foods and low-carb, low-fat, vegetarian and even high-sugar (!) menus.
Related, on Suite101:
- Vegetarian Travel Dining
- Hotels and Low Carb
- Continental Breakfast = Sugar High
- Free Continental Breakfast
- The Best Sushi in the Country
