Low Carb Dieters on Cruise

[Sabor]

Have any people witht a Low Carb Lifestyle cruised and could you share your experience in sticking with it.
I went on Atkins the day after we got back from our 7 night Eastern 1/03 and really didnt pay attention to waht I could eat or not while on board.
I know I could manage the Shrimp on Embarkation Lunch and I know Palo Brunch will work but not sure about the rest of the time.
I have lost 80 pounds and am committed to low carb for life. Just want to be prepared for My Western Trip.

Any experiences/tips are aprreciated

 

[alexandrew]

Congratulations on your weight loss...My experience is that you pay big $ for a DCL cruise...enjoy all that it has to offer....and one of the biggest pleasures are the awesome desserts, and a little pasta here and there...Not to preach, but aren't you giving yourself undue pressure by committing to low carb "for life".....? The great thing about these low carb diets is that you can indulge a little and pick up right where you left off....

 

[NCRedding]

Sabor: Notify your servers that you are on low carb--they'll be happy to try to accomodate you. I think the dinners are pre-plated, so you probably will be served the potatoes, etc, even if you ask not to. Remember that you can always asks for seconds on the meats if you are still hungry. After having done low-carb, as long and as successfully as you have, I think that you will find that the pastas really don't taste that special. (at least that is what I found out) They also offer a selection of sugar-free desserts that my brother ate as he is diabetic--not as good as the others, but still very tasty. If you do want to splurge, plan for the really worth-while splurges--for me that would be a terrific dessert, as opposed to chips, pasta or crackers. Have fruit.

I had done Atkins for several months and loved it prior to our Alaskan cruise last year. I decided to go off Atkins completely on our cruise, and I regret that decision. I wish I had taken my own advice above, and still tried to do low-carb. I have struggled to stay on, and I had had no trouble sticking with it prior.

I definitely think that you can stick to low-carb for life. As you know, if you've read much (and I'm sure you have given your wonderful success), Atkins and low-carb is alot more flexible than people realize, and is definitely doable. Try to focus on the positives: I am 80 pounds lighter; I have a ton of energy; I love the taste of these exotic foods--try meats or fish that you would not normally eat--if you don't like it, they'll bring something different.

You can combine low-carb and a cruise and still have a great time.

 

[Stimpy]

2 days before our cruise in Sept 03 I found out I had gestational diabetes and I was so upset about going away and learning the new diet I had to follow (low carb/very low sugar). DCL made it really easy for me. Our server was able to get me any requests I asked for. I was able to get unsweetened ice tea on board. The no sugar desserts were surprisingly really good. Even at the buffets they have no sugar added desserts, sometimes you just have to ask for them.

Congratulations on the weight loss and good luck in the future!

 

[AnnaS]

I have been doing low-carbs for over a year also. I just want to maintain my weight (I lost the 10 that I wanted to) so of course, I do cheat now once in a while. I would ask the server for vegetables/salad instead of potatoes. Did not have any pasta/rice or bread. Desserts are limited. I also brought plenty of atkin bars and other brand chocolate bars to help the sweet cravings. You might not be able to do it 100%, but it can be done.

 

[ivanova]

I wasn't strictly on Atkins last year on our 4 night cruise .. but one night I did order steak plus chicken and was able to have them hold the potatoes .. so it is possible to do low carb, and if you tell your servers the first night that you are doing low carb, they won't "push" the desserts on you and/or may point out the sugar free dessert choices.

 

[JLSE50]

We SUCCESSFULLY ate low carbs on two cruises and did not gain weight. Hopefully DCL now has more low carb desserts than they had in 2000 and 2002.

Both times we took our own recipe for cheesecake and the first time our head waiter was Christophe and we had the cheesecake every night except the first. Theyt kept it refrigerated for us and remembered.

The second time we had a different head waiter and Christophe was Restaurant Manager. Oru head server had an excuse every night as to why the cheesecake was not ready and would be ready "tomorrow." I finally spoke to Christophe and it was taken care of--but it was in time for the last night of the cruise. It was not our recipe, but it was good.

The whole event was disappointing as we were actually cruising on DH's birthday week. But Christophe made that last dessert a very special presentation and we took the rest of the cheesecake to Fort Wilderness with us.

I never had the potatoes on the plate. I said no potatoes, rice, pasta etc and that was honored. When we cruised RCCI the carbohydrate did come no matter what I said. How hard would it have been for the waiter to take it off in the kitchen?? but no, it had to come to the table, sit there and then be thrown away.

It was no temptation, but it was a waste of food.

We went to the dessert buffet to see it, but only chose cheese. Sounds like they have some low carb desserts now.

Do remember though, that sugar free is not low carb if flour or corn starch is in it. They really need to consider low carb as a different option. If they don't now, I hope they do soon.

Best wishes to everyone on Atkins. I find I have more energy and now that I am away from carbs, I don't miss them at all. But if I splurged at all, I would set myself up for MAJOR cravings. That in itself is a good reason to stick to the plan.

Happy cruising,
Jan

 

[KaitlinsMom]

I just started South Beach a few weeks ago and I love it!!!

I am going to nptify our waiters, but here is a "trick" I have learned - If they do bring carbs on the plate - Just cover it with a lot of something so that way you will not be tempted to eat it - For instance - Put too much salt on it, or pepper, or ketchup - somehing so that it just becomes uneatable -

Karen

 

[Talking Hands]

Be aware that the sugar free desserts are made with nutrasweet (Equal). For me that was a big issue since I am highly sensitive to this product. I had requested Splenda be used before the cruise but it was never conveyed to the ship staff so I was out of luck.

 

[AnnaS]

They should offer sugar free jello with cool whip or strawberries with cool whip everynight and I would be satfisfied.

 

[dbond]

They should offer sugar free jello with cool whip or strawberries with cool whip everynight and I would be satfisfied.

My personal low carb savior! You should see my refrigerator! Wanna know how many cans of Reddi Whip you can fit in the door? Do you think the refrigerators in the cabin would keep jello and reddi whip cold enough?

 

[Sabor]

Thanks all for the replies. Low Carb has taken off so much I knew I would not be alone in this.
I am confident I will be able stick with it (no desire for potatoes , rice, pasta not even really sweets)
I was more concerned with the snacks , and Lunch stuff more so than dinner. I figure there will be something on the buffet line worthwhile otherwise I'll grab a couple of burgers from Plutos and ditch the bun.
I think if the trend continues you would think they would put one entree/desert a night as an offering. Like some of all you mentioned Sugar Free Jello and SF Cheesecake alternating nights would suffice me.

 

[hsteacher]

My daughter is insulin resistant and I am a faithful Atkins follower and we cruised this past March with absolutely no problems. The desserts do present challenges but both of us agreed to "share" one dessert on two special nights -- Chef's Special night at Triton's (we love the fruit compote) and at Palo as we love the dessert pizza. We planned this ahead of time and didn't feel like we were missing anything. There is plenty low carb food and you should be fine. Some other hints -- take the stairs as much as possible -- walk the deck early morning and again before bed. Use the workout facilities if you do that. My daughter MUST exercise (cardio combined with weight resistance due to IR) and she didn't skip it on the cruise. The insulin resistance and my Atkins are our lifestyles, not diets to us and that's the world we have to live in. YOu have had such incredible success (so obviously your body responds well to low suguar/glycemic index food), don't ruin it now. Once you are down to your goal weight and know your carb index to maintain, you will then be able to have a bit more movement in your "treats". Definitely let your servers know and they will be creative for you. Best of luck and congrats on such an incredible weight loss.

 

[Azptcruiser]

I hear what everyone has said about the "low carb" diet effort and staying on it during the cruise. But, I for one have worked hard (lost 50+ since January 1, 2004), and will partake in some of the delicacies that are available. I will do this in moderation of course as I will not completely blow what I have worked so hard for.

And when I get back home, I will go on induction again and get back into the mindset that I have been in for a while.

Also, I will make certain that I attempt to burn the calories that I eat through being as active as possible.

Bottom line...I need this vacation and will enjoy it to the fullest extent that I can and want to.

 

[dbond]

Congrats on the 50 lbs AZptcruiser! I'm a little jealous. I started my low carb lifestyle on Jan 26, 04 and have lost 39 lbs so far. I just can't seem to get past that 40 lb roadblock. I was hoping to be over 40 by the time we cruised, but with only a week to go, I'll have to reset my goals.

I too plan to be sensible, but not deprived on our cruise. At home, we can choose what we cook and choose what restaurants to go to, on the cruise, I don't want my diet to inhibit mine or my family's spontaniety and I certainly want to share a yummy dessert or two with DH. I'm also looking forward to a fruity alcholic beverage (or two). We're going on the 3-day so I think we'll be too busy to think too much about food. I'm actually more concerned about our tendency to eat fast food all the time at the parks. I wonder if Diet Coke w/lime has hit the theme parks yet?

 

[Azptcruiser]

Dbond...8 days!!!! You can break the 40 pound mark before the vacation.

As it relates to the fast foods, try to avoid as much as possible, then break out a bit on the cruise. And of course keep yourself hydrated with water!

Enjoy

 

[JFS]

Enjoy your cruise all of you carbo-phobics, just go back to phase I when you return from the cruise.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

I don't know about you, but I will do ANYTHING not to do phase 1 again!

 

[kcashner]

I had lost 97 pounds following a diet from my doc that is very similar to South Beach.....On my Feb. 2004 cruise, I didn't make a big deal out of explaining anything to my servers. I just made selections that were ok on my diet plan.

DCL is great at helping you with any/all food restrictions. For anything allergy related or medical necessity, I would certainly solicit their help. However, my logic was that after many months on my diet plan, I could make intelligent selections myself. My goal for the vacation was to not gain any weight, but I did allow myself some treats that I would not have had at home.

We'll be cruising again in a few months, and I plan to do the same thing.

 

[felixdacat]

I am doing the low carb thing and have been in maint. mode
since about march. lost about 25lbs total. the only time
I indulged was at Palos--I had to have dessert.

I also did bring a few bars with me as well. for dinner I made
low carb choices and asked for no potatoe/etc

I find that its easier on a cruise to stick to it because you have
buffets and so many choices. you are not paying for one entree
only

I did drink some wine, but avoided the fruity drinks.

the hardest thing was the afternoon ice cream bar they had.
I just grabbed the strawberries and melon.

sandy