Eating keto on a cruise doesn’t have to be hard and you can stay on ketosis. These simple tips can help make it easily happen!
Congrats on deciding to embrace the keto diet and give yourself a healthier lifestyle and eating habits. But what happens when that healthy diet suddenly becomes threatened by an upcoming cruise or vacation? What used to be a worry back in the day doesn’t have to be the case any longer.
There are so many ways that cruise ships now accommodate a wide variety of food needs and diets that you can easily stay on track with your keto-lifestyle without having to worry hardly at all.
The moment that you board your ship, there’s going to be food literally everywhere. And for the next however many days that you’re on board, you’ll be surrounded and tempted by it all day long. There’s a reason that the average person gains 10 pounds on a cruise…and it’s because the food is plentiful and delicious! (Seriously – the ice cream machine is open 24/7 and is the pizza restaurant!)
But when you’re living a low carb lifestyle, there are more foods out there that you can’t consume than ones that you actually can. While this used to be a big ordeal, cruise ships have a much better handle on the keto diet and low carb living. Before you book and board your next cruise ship, check out these simple tips for staying on your keto diet while taking a cruise.
Tips for Eating Keto on a Cruise
Being prepared ahead of time and being in the low carb mind frame is what you need to get started. After that, these diet tips will help keep you on track.
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Pack your own healthy snacks
Did you know that you can bring snacks on board the cruise ship as long as they are sealed? Take away the temptation of sneaking down to the dining room in the middle of the night and pack your own healthy snacks instead.
All the rooms on the ship have their own mini-fridges so you can pack vegetables, fruit, protein drinks and anything else that you need to have on hand with ease. It’s much better to load up your stateroom with goodies and stay the course than bog your body down with loads of carbs and sugar.
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Scope out the buffet options before getting in line
I don’t know why but there’s a lot more pressure to fill your plate with food when you’re in line and moving from one course to another. If you separate yourself from that pressure and put eyes on food before getting in that line, you’ll be able to stay stronger to saying no to the pasta and other carb-loaded dishes.
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Always eat a salad first
If you make yourself a commitment to eat a salad before anything else on the ship, you’ll make certain that you’re filling your body full of great nutrients and vegetables that are certain to keep you on track.
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Skip the drink options and say no to the alcohol
This isn’t actually all that hard to do on a cruise because soda and alcohol aren’t included in the price. Even in saying that, you’ll have to be strong because there are always offerings of “sips” and meet and greets that you can attend to score a free drink or two.
Save yourself the calories, carbs, and money and stick to drinking water instead. If you do want to indulge in a diet soda or other low-carb beverage, just bring it directly with you when you’re boarding the boat. As long as they’re sealed and not in plastic bottles, you can bring on your own beverages and drinks as well.
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Tell your waiter in the main dining hall that you’re low carb
If you’re looking forward to attending some of the nice dinners at night and skipping out on the buffet, you’ll have the chance to eat some really amazing food. Plus, during these meals, you’ll have your own dedicated waiter that will serve you and your table every time you attend. Personally, this is my favorite option.
All you need to do is communicate to him or her that you’re low carb and they’ll be able to give you great recommendations or help guide you on what to choose. The hard part is deciding out of all the options that are presented but I can assure you that their nightly menus are full of amazing choices.
Speaking of menus, the menus do change daily in the main dining hall so there’s a chance that you’ll be able to stay on your Keto diet and be able to treat yourself nightly to steak, pork, chicken, and a wide variety of other keto-friendly meals.
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Alter the food on your own
I found myself doing this quite often on the cruise and it really wasn’t that big of a deal. If I wanted some meat that was on a sandwich, then I just ate the meat off the bread and didn’t consume the rest.
There was also an amazing taco and burrito place on our cruise that made the best looking recipes, ever. Most people were splurging on these giant taco bowls filled with goodness and I knew that it was going to put me over the top. All I did was order mine “naked” (which means I didn’t get the tortilla bowl) and instead had it with some lettuce and turned it more into a salad.
It was amazing, I was fully satisfied and I stayed on track with my healthy low-carb lifestyle! I also had prosciutto with melon, so delicious!
While there might be times where you feel as though you’re missing out on some great food and flavor, the truth of the matter is that there are really a lot of great keto food options on cruises. The buffet lines do a really great job of labeling the food and letting you know exactly what it is so you aren’t going to be taking chances on food only to find out that it isn’t what you thought it was.
Is it possible to stay on the Keto diet when you’re taking a cruise? Absolutely. Just follow the simple tips above and you’ll have no problem eating low carb and living your best keto-friendly life.
And more than likely, you’ll be getting off that boat weighing in at the exact same weight that you did when you got on! That’s a true cruise victory if you’re asking me!
Do you have any other tips for eating keto on a cruise?
Owww Myrah thanks for your information, I don’ t know about eating Keto on a cruise.
You are welcome, Yasmari.
Great tips to keep your keto sanity on cruise Myrah. I’m not into keto eating but your advice is applicable to almost any eating regime and vacations!
Absolutely, Enriqueta! We need to do all it takes, right?
Great tips to eat keto on a cruise! It’s hard but not impossible. Thanks for the info
Correct, Aracelis! You said the magic words, not impossible.
Honestly when I read the word “diet” I feel scared, but I can see why so many is into Keto. I guess is all about making food look good so you actually want to eat it and not feel like you are starving or depriving yourself.
Well the food is good since you are eating regular food and not just leaves.
This is great! So glad you can keep eating keto while on a cruise. Sometimes people would find that as a reason to give up on the diet. But you had great will power and made it work. That’s awesome!
Right! Many ould give up (like me!), but this helps!
Excelentes ideas para seguir la dieta Keto cuando uno anda de vacaciones. Y me imagino que con tanta variedad que hay en los cruceros esto no será nada difícil. Bueno, si, aguantarse a los irresistibles postres! 🙂
Absolutely, Silvia. This is a fascinating diet.
Your post sheds light on how easy it can be to eat a Keto-friendly diet. These are awesome tips.
Glad they are helpful, Bill.
I can see where it could be hard to remain Keto on a cruise. However, you give some good tips on how to maintain your diet.
Awesome, Denise. I’m glad you understand it.
Our motto is – no diet while we’re vacationing! But if we had to keep up the diet during a cruise, I would keep this post open at all times. You make such great points! Maybe it’s not so hard to keep up a diet after all? I like the idea of choosing your foods before getting in line. 😊
Yes! I also think it’s a mindset.
I’ve never been on a cruise, but I do hope to go one day. It’s nice to know that they cater to a variety of dietary needs.
Cruises are so much fun, Monica. They do cater to a huge variety of taste.
Of course, when you are on vacation or away from home, it must not be easy to follow your diet, so your advice is pure gold!
Exactly!
Aaaahhhhh….so, this is why my school Professor loves eating his salad first, before the main meal! That’s a good one, Myrah. Thanks.
Exactly Edgar! That’s a nice Keto hack.
I had no idea you could eat keto while you travel as well. Great tips. Sharing with a friend who is on the keto diet.
Absolutely! That’s the great thing about being on a Keto lifestyle.
Great tips for Keto myrah! Now thinking I should try it out! The cruise looked fabulous too!
Yes, the cruise was really good, Angelina.
Those are great tips for people on a keto diet going on a cruise. I still need to go on my first cruise! haha
You will love cruising, Matt!
The last cruise I was on, I was on a strict diet. I can tell you from experience, it’s totally doable! You just need the willpower to walk past the desserts 🙂
Glad it worked for you, Heather. At first, I was hesitant.
great tips! I am glad you managed to find the meals that fit with Keto! Thank you for sharing.
You are welcome, Chad.
This is so helpful for anyone on a keto diet who’s traveling. I’m gluten free and plantbased and traveling can sometimes be difficult when it comes to meals. I appreciate that you’re sharing your helpful tips for anyone who’s keto ♡
Thank you, Sara. Yes, id does get a bit complicated with you travel and must follow a special diet.
Always scan the buffet table! Also, make sure you use a lot of water so you get full easily just in case there are few keto options in the menu. Eat veggies too!
That’s right! Water will always do the trick.
I can understand the challenge of being on a special diet and going on a cruise. I agree with you that communicating your dietary preferences to the dining staff will help them to offer food choices in line with your diet.
Absolutely! Communication is key.
This is such a great post! Most of us feel we have to give up our diet to go on vacation, but you gave me so many inspirational ideas for my next trip!
Awww I am so glad, Elicit.
Great tips! Sometimes it’s hard to find keto items on a cruise but certainly not impossible.
you are welcome.
I recently just returned from a trip out of the country and I pretty much followed a keto diet the entire time. It wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be. Cheers to not gaining 10lbs on vacay 😉
OMG yes, gaining is not good.
It’s great to know that there are enough options to stick with a diet while vacationing. Cruises are so popular these days, it really is wise of them to cater to all diet types.
It is and helps us a lot to stick with our program!
Wow, this is my first time to come across how to eat keto in a cruise ship, really interesting guide. Cruise has so many nice foods and your post has inspired me to eat keto anywhere. I really want few more kg down.
Sohappy you found my article useful!
It is great to know that you can still practice Keto diet even when you are cruising, your tips provided here are so helpful.
It is a great option!
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful tips. I have not committed myself to the Keto Diet as f yet and have seriously been considering it so this post is for sure helpful. Thank you for sharing!
You are welcome, Melissa.
Really respect your thoughtfulness and dedication to maintaining keto on a cruise! That has got to be so hard! Glad to see that it was possible though. What was the hardest part?
It was not easy with all the great food all over.
What a great post. I would never think about how hard it would be to do this on a cruise. Props to you!
Thank you.
Honestly I have never been on a ship before,,but I have learned few things from reading this post,great review sister!
Oh glad I helped!
I know there has to be so many options for Keto in the buffet line. There’s something for everyone for sure.
There is!
great tips for those on the Keto diet! I’ll have to share this with a few of my friends who go on cruises a lot ; )
Thank you, Eloise.
I agree with bringing your own snacks because sometimes there just isn’t things that you eat that might only be available. Salad is a must for sure. Great tips to use for any eating out situation
Snacks do help a lot in maintaining your goal.
Great tips when you are in a Keto’s diet. I’m amazed that it’s doable on a cruise ship!!!
I was too, but it worked and I managed.
Good for you for sticking to your eating plan while on a cruise. I have a cruise scheduled in a few months, and am currently trying to lose 1 pound a week before then. I had thought I just wouldn’t worry about gaining a little back during the cruise, but now I’m thinking, “Why let myself backslide at all?” I’m going to try to stick to healthy eating!
Oh so happy I could help! Honestly, as long as you are prepared, it isn’t difficult.
Love it and so true anything is possible you just need to let them know, they are there to help you. Great information as a travel agent I am asked all the time about Dinning I will be for sure sharing your information with them
THANKS
Exactly! Communicating your needs to the waiters is enough.