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Mentor Advice

Question

Do you have any suggestions on how to eat healthy while abroad?

4 Replies from Mentors

  • mentor picture Michael
     
    Michael
    Junior Year Student
    Loyola Marymount University
    Eating healthy while abroad is often more difficult to do than it is here at home. Fruits and...
    Eating healthy while abroad is often more difficult to do than it is here at home. Fruits and vegetables can be found anywhere, so I would recommend supplementing your diet with plenty of those. Otherwise, I wouldn’t let concern for health get in the way of enjoying your country’s native cuisine. In England, for example, the traditional breakfast was known as a “fry up” and was pretty much the most unhealthy thing I’ve ever seen. Despite this, I ate them almost daily. It is important to dive completely into your country’s culture, and if unhealthy food is a part of that culture, then so be it.
  • mentor picture Rae Rae
     
    Rae Rae
    Senior Year Student
    Loyola Marymount University
    I would give you the same suggestions if you were in America: eat plenty of fresh fruits...
    I would give you the same suggestions if you were in America: eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, stay away from processed foods and those with high fructose corn syrup, trans fat and other harmful ingredients, and drink plenty of water (around 2 liters each day). In some ways, it might be easier to eat healthier abroad. Many countries do not have a fixation on processed and fast food as we do here so you’ll be hard-pressed to find a McDonald’s on every block. When I lived in France, eating fruits and vegetables was stressed in my host family and I actually lost weight and became more fit while I was there! Eating healthy abroad is not as hard as it may seem. Just make the right food choices. Of course you have to indulge sometimes but for the most part, I would say eating healthier might be much easier somewhere else than your home.
  • mentor picture Amie
     
    Amie
    Senior Year Student
    University of California, Los Angeles
    While there are fast food places, it is highly recommended that you avoid these places as often as...
    While there are fast food places, it is highly recommended that you avoid these places as often as possible. There are also familiar breakfast/snack items in the markets (at marked up prices), but when you are abroad, such as in Italy, you are surrounded by more fresh and less processed foods – a great opportunity for you to cook more often than you would at home! I found some recipes online through foodnetwork.com, and I continue to use the recipes today as I share my stories of where I learned to make them.
  • mentor picture Kimberly
     
    Kimberly
    Senior Year Student
    Loyola Marymount University
    My advice is to never eat anything that may appear questionable. If you feel that the food is not...
    My advice is to never eat anything that may appear questionable. If you feel that the food is not properly cooked or you may get sick, do not eat it! Be aware of eating food from the streets since you do not know where the food has been. If possible, watch the people cook your food for you. Also, if you have any hesitations, ask the waiter or waitress. Ultimately, just make your own judgment before eating.