Keto on a Cruise? 🤔

Hola mi gente!

I am currently getting cruise ready.. Again... I know, the struggles... 😂 As I am prepping, I am thinking of what I need to stay keto during our upcoming cruise.

Time for another *Zahi Fun Fact*

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes back in the summer of 2019. The way I decided to tackle this bad boy was through a change of lifestyle. * I am not a doctor and this is in no way, shape or form medical advise. This is just how I manage to maintain my way of eating while on a cruise vacation! If you have wondered how sustainable keto is on a cruise vacation, follow along!

The first thing I do is decide if I will be committed to staying keto while on vacation. I know how I feel when I go off plan so it's always a bit of a mental back and forth with my self. But once I decide, I need to prepare. I try to bring as much as I can to keep me from being tempted to go off plan.

Tip: Let your travel agent know of any dietary restrictions and or allergies.

Pack Your Own Creamer, Snack & Sweets:

As you guys know coffee is life! Because I have coffee delivered to our cabin every morning, I like to bring my own creamer. Nutpods have become one of my packing essentials. Whether a cruise, an all-inclusive vacation or a road trip, I have to travel with my keto friendly creamer. For a 7 night stay I pack 3 of the smaller containers ( I pack them in my checked-in bag). I don't really run out of creamer but just in case, almond milk or dairy free options seem to be available just about anywhere. Just ask!

I am not a huge snacker but, I also pack a couple of bars of Lily's Chocolate to have something sweet. As well as some meat sticks and moon cheese. Usually these are for flights or when I am the pre-cruise hotel. If I feel like I need something else, I add some natural almonds. I tend to book the first flights out, which usually means most places to eat at the airport are closed. I don't know about you but, when I am hungry I tend to make bad decisions. So having these items in my backpack help me stick to my plan.

Do Your Homework:

When I book my vacations I love to do as much research as possible. Then again, that is my job as a travel agent. I look for restaurants offered and see if there's a menu posted somewhere. Hours of operations, as well as what my options are. I join the Facebook sailing page and check for others looking for keto options. You will be surprised how many of us are out there 😉. Another great resource is your own keto group. If you are a member of one you can always ask for advise! I am part of one that has been a God send when it comes to offering advise on on what to pack as far as snacks to keep you on track! 💕 Shout out to the amazing souls over at Butter Me Up: Keto Recipes and Support!!! Check out YouTube videos of your ship and see what the restaurants have to offer. With so many videos out there, you can get an idea of where and what to eat!

The Buffet is Your Friend:

One thing I have learned is that a good cruise line will offer a great buffet with many options. I know a few buffet haters but for me to stay on track, they're a great option. With so many stations to choose from, there is no way to go hungry. The omelette/egg station is my go-to for breakfast. Ham and cheese omelette made-to-order and a side of bacon, not a bad way to start your day! You can have your eggs made how ever you want with whatever you want!

Lunch? How about a bacon cheese burger without a bun and a side salad? Want something light? Head on over to the deli station. Meats and cheeses galore! If you're feeling adventurous, head on over to the Ethnic food station for something different!

Want to try dinner at the buffet when you don't feel like sitting through a four course meal? Check out the carving stations. Prime rib, roasted turkey, roasted pork, and roast beef are some of the options you will find. Grab a salad and a veggie as a side and there's dinner! If you do not mind doing some "dirty" keto, grab some fruit or ask for the sugar free dessert.

Main Dining Room or MDR:

If you're like us, we actually really enjoy the MDR. The staff is always amazing and the food is good! It it also part of your cruise fair so no extra added expense to eat there.

What I do is check the menu for the MDR daily. You can either do this on your cruise app, sometimes on the TV in your cabin, or simply walk to the MDR and it will posted somewhere outside of the venue. There, you can see what is on the menu for the day. If you decide on the MDR for your meals, feel free to ask your waiter for substitutions. For example, your meal comes with mash potatoes, ask to sub it for a side of broccoli or another salad. You can also ask for as much as you'd like. If you want 2 entrees, just ask. You want more salad? Just ask. Our boys are always happy to order 2 desserts! Oh and if you are feeling like trying something new, just ask! The staff will encourage you try new things and they will make sure you do not leave the dining room hungry! I didn't know I liked escargot, until I tried them! Again, if you're feeling like something sweet, ask for the sugar free dessert or the fruit & cheese plate.

Snack & Beverages:

All cruise lines offer an array of snacks and drinks throughout their ships. From Ice Cream machines on the lido, tacos at their Mexican snack shack, to the cafe in the promenade. There is food everywhere and do not even get me started on the bars!

What I do if I am feeling like having a taco, I simply ask for the meats and veggie in a bowl with some greens as the base. My taco is now a taco salad. I try to avoid places where I can't "ketofy" my meal. The BBQ places, I tend to stay away from. I am not a huge BBQ lover, so that is easy for me. Unless there's brisket, if that is an option, I am there with bells on! 😂 Royal Caribbean has it's own hot dog/sausage stand, The Dog House, I don't know about you but I love a good hotdog. If you are sailing on Carnival, make sure to track down a burger at Guy's Burger Joint. These are some of the options by cruise lines. They all offer similar eateries so make sure to check them out during your next sailing!

Want to try some of the guacamole or some other dip? I learned a trick while touring resorts in Mexico, ask for the guac/dip but instead of chips, order veggie sticks! I really enjoyed guac with jicama and celery sticks! 🤤... Same with salsa, keep in mind that some of these are not super clean keto but hey, I am on vacation right?!

I get a lot of specialty coffees, shocking, I know! Iced, frappes, cappuccinos, Steve calls them "froo froo" coffees. When I order these, I ask for almond milk or heavy cream and if they have sugar free syrups, I get a pump of that and there is my "froo froo" coffee.

For adult beverages, it really depends of what type of drinker you are. I am not a huge drinker so I can go an entire cruise with maybe one non-keto frozen drink, usually at "sail away" because, that is the official start to my cruise vacation! But other than that, my go to would be a "zero sugar" soft drink with rum or seltzer with vodka and lime, I am not really a wine/champagne drinker so I will not be pooping bottles 😂. But I do love a nice tropical fruity drink once in a great while. I have been tempted to order sugar free simple syrup but I haven't yet. Maybe for our next cruise so I can have keto mojitos 🤔.

LOT'S OF WATER!!! One, you're usually sailing somewhere warm and tropical so it will be hot and you will be thirsty. Two, You want to make sure you stay hydrated. I like to keep bottles of water in our mini fridge and I do tend to drink a lot more sparkling water with my meals. Once in a great while I will get a "zero" sugar soft drink but other than that, sparkling water for me.

Tip: Pack a refillable water bottle!

I have found that if I plan and make sure that I am ready, it is easier staying on plan versus trying to wing it! If you do get off plan, don't beat your self up, you are on vacation after all!

What are some of your keto "must haves" to ensure you stay on plan? I am always looking for new ideas! Let me know in the comments & Share!!!

Have travel questions? Looking for travel tips? Or suggestions on what topics you want to read about? Email me at info@holabeachestravel.com .

Never miss a wave, subscribe to my newsletter at www.holabeachestravel.com . Stay social, follow me on Facebook , Instagram and Pinterest