Itz WIAW from Cancun

Hola!  I’m baaaaaaack!  Sorry for the minor disappearance while I was away in Mexico, but unplugging for the week did feel nice.  However, I did miss writing, reading, and you. :) What better way to get back at it than showing you just a glimpse of the crazy amount of food we ate at the resort?  Itz WIAW with Jenn at Peas and Crayons.

We stayed at Riu Peninsula in Cancun which is an all-inclusive resort – naturally, TONS of food and drink.  There was a main dining hall with an enormous buffet that was available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  There were several restaurants at the resort, and a buffet was usually involved.  Because of the buffet, I definitely ate more than I usually do, but tried to make healthy choices most of the time.

Breakfast: My favorite part – build your own omelette.

I threw in all the veggies that they had available at the omelette bar: corn, onion, red and green peppers, mushrooms, and spinach.  I requested eggwhites, and declined the cheese.  While they still used oil to cook the omelette, I felt good about starting my mornings with some veggies and protein.

Every buffet had tons of papaya and I love papaya.  I love it even more when I don’t have to cut it, scoop out the seeds, and dice it up.  Alongside the papaya is pitaya.  I first heard of pitaya during our San Diego vacation when I ordered a Tree Hugger Pitaya Bowl.  I’d never seen the superfruit otherwise, and I was happily surprised to see how pretty of a fruit it is!

Something else I always had at breakfast was a glass of green juice.

“Health juice” is what the sign read, and I couldn’t quite pinpoint what the juice entailed, but it was good!  There was definitely some type of leafy green, as well as kiwi.  Besides that, I have no idea, but it was mighty tasty.

Lunch:  Another buffet.  I really tried to eat as many vegetables as possible, and my little brother often commented on how my plates were overflowing.  I eat a lot, bro.

I started with some type of base that usually consisted of a spring mix, spinach, or cabbage.  Then, I began the toppings: asparagus, broccoli, peppers, fish, whatever struck my fancy that day.  Instead of salad dressing, I opted for lime juice or guacamole (or both!).  On days that I filled my plate with tons of vegetables and not very much protein, I noticed myself getting hungrier much sooner, so I tried to add more fish or beans to keep me full longer.

You know what else has protein?  Ice cream.  ;)   Maybe not the best kind of protein, but this was the best ice cream I have ever tasted.  They had a magnificent raspberry swirl flavor that I had most days – sometimes even twice!

More papaya, mango, and pitaya on the side to balance it out.  Jonny had healthy servings of ice cream, too. ;)

Dinner:  Like the buffets, the dinner restaurants were not lacking in food.  Check out all the food that was served to the table one night:

We started with a salad, and then a seafood platter was brought out to share (bottom picture).  We had our choice of an entre and I opted for the surf and turf, but ate just the surf while Jonny had my turf.  Broccoli and corn were brought, and dessert was some type of souffle that tasted a little like roasted marshmallows.  It did not disappoint, but ice cream wins my heart each and every time.

While all the food was delicious, I am glad to get back to a more normal eating schedule.  I didn’t go totally crazy with all the food that was available, but I sure splurged like I was on vacay.  Oh wait, I was.  Now itz back to reality.

Does your eating style change while you’re on vacation?

61 thoughts on “Itz WIAW from Cancun

  1. You’re in Cancun?! Obviously I haven’t been keeping updated in the blog world. But how fun! And I totally love your healthy eats, even on vacation :) I definitely try to keep it balanced while traveling. A little healthy here, a little not so healthy there ;)

  2. Build your own omelette station? SO cool! I love when hotels have those. :) I love the ice cream and fruit combo. :)
    When I’m on vacation I try to keep most of my healthy eating habits so it’s easier for me to get back on track when I get home. That doesnt mean that I dont eat any unhealthy/junk food, though. :)

  3. Linz, when I am on vacation I typically try to choose one meal each day when I am going to “indulge”. Then I keep the rest of the day’s eats as close to my normal eating habits as possible. Take last weekend for example, my husband, daughter and I wen to the beach and wanted to try out a local breakfast joint. I chose to indulge in a tall stack of homemade pancakes topped with an apple and berry compote and syrup. Lunch that day was a salad with grilled chicken breast, and dinner was grilled shrimp with a bake sweet potato. I think the key to eating on vacation is finding a balance between indulgences and healthy eating.

    • That’s a REALLY good plan!! Wish I would have thought of that before… If I mean WHEN I ate dessert, I tried to eat on the healthier side for the meal. When I indulged during my meal, I didn’t have dessert. You’re right – itz all about balance!

  4. wow.. i am so ready for mexico after seeing ur pics! stuck in the city for another couple of months but the more i am enjoying your beautiful photos!

  5. Looks like you are still able to eat well on vacation.. LOVE buffets with huge veggie options. It’s funny, your brother’s comment made me laugh – I get that ALL THE TIME: “Eva, how the heck do you eat so many vegetables?” idk, I JUST DO, back up off me! haha! Everything looks so delicious. Have a great time!

  6. Wow – I’m impressed how healthy you ate on vacation. That’s usually my “free” time where I enjoy way more treats than I should. You are dedicated!

    • Ok this was just a highlight of breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I assure you I had PLENTY of indulgences including eating my weight in ice cream!!

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