When the Souvenirs You Bring Home aren’t Shirts or Key Chains — but Love Handles!

The saying, “food is a universal language we all speak” couldn’t be any truer. When we travel and visit a place for the first time, one of the things we always look forward to is the destination’s local cuisine. It’s usually through the food that we get to know other people better, their history, culture and dreams and aspirations. That’s why it isn’t a wonder why most of us pack on the pounds when we go backpacking or globetrotting.

However, in today’s day and age, where obesity and other health risks associated with it are increasingly becoming a concern for many, it also helps to keep our weight in check and be mindful of what we consume during our trips. Instead of that cheesy kangaroo key chain or Merlion shirt, we might bring home love handles instead.

Eat, but don’t overindulge

So how do we keep our weight and health in check, while still getting to taste and enjoy the local cuisine? The answer is simple, but may not always be easy to follow: Don’t consume more calories than you can burn! It’s essential that you try to balance the number of calories you consume versus the calories you burn, or else you’ll gain more fat.

Of course, counting calories won’t be easy for curious travelers who just want to taste everything the locals serve them. There are simply too many delectable dishes and a wide array of choices served on the road, making it extremely hard not to want to sample everything. Also, refusing the locals would be rude, right? Exactly.

Fortunately though, while there are plenty of opportunities to gain extra pounds while traveling, there are also plenty of opportunities for you to burn those pounds before you return home. Here are some of them:

• Get up and walk. Walking helps you burn the greasy food you overindulged in (approximately 100 calories per mile on a flat terrain). But aside from this obvious benefit, walking instead of driving a rental car or riding the subway train also lets you see and experience more of the place.

• Join a local event. Another way to stay fit is getting involved in the local scene by participating in triathlons, distance runs, and biking events. Before you sign up for one, be sure your body is in condition and that you’ve secured a travelers insurance.

• Don’t be afraid to hit the dance floor. Just because liquor is high in calories doesn’t mean you should keep yourself from sampling the regional drink.

One benefit of enjoying a shot or two is that you’re more likely to shed your inhibitions, allowing you to get your dance groove on! Hitting the club and dancing with the friendly locals is an excellent way to burn calories. It also doesn’t even feel like exercising at all.

Feasting on the unfamiliar enriches our traveling experience. But that doesn’t mean we should just go ahead and eat or drink more than our bodies can handle. Remember, moderation is the key. So by all means — enjoy the food and feast with the locals. But don’t forget to take care of yourself and your health. It also won’t hurt to invest in and buy travel insurance. It would always come in handy in case your tummy disagrees with the meal you just devoured.