Healthier options in buffet/mdr for breakfast

[virginiab]

I have hears that soy milk is available, but you will probably have to ask for it, as it may be in a cooler underneath an area where cold stuff is available in the buffet. I'm sure you can just ask the waiter in the dining room.

[bakechef]

Originally Posted by Chigirlcruzin

Unless it's steel cut oats, oatmeal is not all that healthy. It's one of those foods that seems healthy, but really isn't (like granola). Yogurt is another...have you seen the sugar content? You're much better off to buy plain and add your own fruit. Of course, there are much worse things to eat, too.

That said, there's plenty of truly healthy options. I get a veggies egg white omelet omelet with fruit every day on a cruise. They also have whole grain breads, hard boiled eggs, etc. I stay away from the processed breakfast meats - the sodium content is horrifying.

Steel cut oats have gotten a lot of good press, but honestly there is very little difference nutritionally between steel cut and good old fashioned oatmeal. With steel cut, the oats are just chopped, with rolled oats they are steamed and rolled flat, with quick oats, the flattened oats are cut smaller for quick cooking.

I don't eat all of the sugar loaded instant oatmeal, too much like glue. There is nothing radically superior about steel cut oat compared to rolled oats, they are both just the same oat in slightly different forms.

[t1adams]

Originally Posted by bakechef

Steel cut oats have gotten a lot of good press, but honestly there is very little difference nutritionally between steel cut and good old fashioned oatmeal. With steel cut, the oats are just chopped, with rolled oats they are steamed and rolled flat, with quick oats, the flattened oats are cut smaller for quick cooking.

I don't eat all of the sugar loaded instant oatmeal, too much like glue. There is nothing radically superior about steel cut oat compared to rolled oats, they are both just the same oat in slightly different forms.

I was just coming here to say the same thing. The cruise ship oatmeal is definitely old fashioned oats and not quick cooking. I can so taste the difference. I ate it every morning on my last cruise. Pretty good! No sweeteners. You add what you like.

[DaDivaMom]

We are marathon runners and stay in half marathon shape at all times so we eat whole and clean as much as possible. That said like others who have posted you will find plenty of fresh cut and whole fruit, along with some whole grain breads, egg whites and the mentioned oatmeal and such. Try to aim for whole and unprocessed as much as possible.

Wishing you well on your journey!

[The Mad Chef]

Great idea, Chi! Thanks!

[Cruise Cat]

One thing I wish Carnival would do, is copy somewhat the food we had on RCCL Oasis last year in their Solarium. They had all kinds of health food for breakfast like shaved salmon, low carb crepes, veggie options and such. I was skeptical, but it was really good! We found ourselves eating there alot. I think there is a market on board, if they would just do it!

[LRene]

They do have plain soy milk only but I'd also bring on my own almond milk. It's so much better.

[edawn]

My DH and I both are on WW. I've given it a good bit of thought but never having been on CCL it's hard to know what they'll have. For instance, for either breakfast or lunch I usually have fat free cottage cheese and fruit. I doubt they have fat free cottage cheese. That's a difference of two points if you have half a cup. So if fat free is not available, I'll have more fruit and less cottage cheese. Another option is what we usually do at dinner. We eat half the food we used to. Half a burger. Half a pork chop. I know some people might frown on this but I doubt I'll be cleaning my plate. I have noticed on NCL that the portions aren't huge so maybe there will not be as much waste. But if it's not worth the points, I'm not eating it all. I think the eggs benedict with sauce on the side like someone else suggested is a good option. It's probably 8 points without the sauce. I'd probably still only eat half.

Hope this helps. Have a great cruise!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[true45]

Just off cruise 2 days ago. I overheard someone asking for eggs benedict without sauce - waiter said no, they are premade. It is poached egg on canadian bacon or ham on top of english muffin in case you want to order it without sauce.

[CapeCodCruiser]

Originally Posted by true45

Just off cruise 2 days ago. I overheard someone asking for eggs benedict without sauce - waiter said no, they are premade. It is poached egg on canadian bacon or ham on top of english muffin in case you want to order it without sauce.

Either a lazy waiter or times have really changed - you used to be able to order it with the hollandaise on the side no problem.

[Cruise Cat]

Originally Posted by true45

Just off cruise 2 days ago. I overheard someone asking for eggs benedict without sauce - waiter said no, they are premade. It is poached egg on canadian bacon or ham on top of english muffin in case you want to order it without sauce.

I can't see them having to put the Hollendaize sauce on.

[nodogkisses]

I've never had any problem getting eggs benedict with the sauce on the side in the MDR for breakfast. I always get it on the side and I even ask for my eggs well done, as I just don't like the runny yolk. I do believe they are pre-made, but they'll make one with the sauce on the side with no problem.

[Momma1980]

To the OP...I find it very easy to find healthy options on a cruise.

As other posters have mentioned- choose high protein, low fat, fresh, unprocessed.

Options are plentiful!

The difficulty is in RESISTING the high fat, sugary, processed foods that also abound on the ship.

If you have will power to resist the low quality, high calorie foods you will be fine. Or to indulge in a small portion of some 'evil' foods while sticking to primarily quality choices....knowing that you will have to increase your physical activity to burn off the indulgence you will not gain weight!

It is easy to find healthy choices. It is HARD to stay away from unhealthy choices! Especially because you will have to pick and choose the healthier options from the unhealthy choices that are right next to each other in the serving lines! But... If you budget the extra calories and choose to walk the stairs instead of ride the elevators, you will help your cause.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

Originally Posted by Phaedra_11

Hey, I recently started on weight watchers and was wondering if there were any healthier options for breakfast in either the MDR or the buffet.
I very rarely used to eat breakfast before on a cruise and when I did, it was usually some bacon, french toast and pastries.
Is there oatmeal? Fruit?
Thank you!

Go primal. Eat up some eggs, bacon ham, get some fats and drink plenty of water. Worth looking into.


But yes they have fruit but I don't know if they have oatmeal.

[Momma1980]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler Puppy

Go primal. Eat up some eggs, bacon ham, get some fats and drink plenty of water. Worth looking into.


But yes they have fruit but I don't know if they have oatmeal.

Rottweiler... I think it is good advice to go on a primal diet if you live a primal lifestyle. Lots of walking and physical labor every day. Hunting and gathering and skinning your own meat. Lol! As for myself.... I have to modify my caloric intake to make up for my lack of physical activity

[bakechef]

Originally Posted by t1adams

I was just coming here to say the same thing. The cruise ship oatmeal is definitely old fashioned oats and not quick cooking. I can so taste the difference. I ate it every morning on my last cruise. Pretty good! No sweeteners. You add what you like.

I eat old fashioned oatmeal almost every morning for breakfast, I really love it!

[Catrin]

One cruise (on WW) , I lost 4lbs that week. Egg white omelets, wheat toast. Or Special K with skim milk. Lots if fruit and plenty of water!! Do not worry so much about counting points on vacation. Make smart choices..... Eat lots of protein and veggies. Take the stairs. And treat yourself on occasion! This cruise- my treat will be Bitter n Blanc and an Ice Cream Cone ( or two!).
Catrin

[linda03]

I have been back from the Carnival Fantasy one week. A week after the cruise (I didn't weigh week of cruise) I had gained 6/10 of a pound. Not that bad.
I found breakfast the most chalenging, but that could be just me. I did not carry my calculator but the labeled yogurts had a lot more fat and calories than the fat free food lion yogurt I eat at home.
You can get the omlettes with egg whites or egg beaters. There is a selection of bread and cereal, too. Also there is always fruit--- good fruit like fresh pineapple, grapefruit, etc.
At lunch there is a salad bar in the lido deck buffet.
The MDR can help you control portions since they bring it to you.
We ate lunch and breakfast there several times.
At dinner in the main dining room there are marked lower calorie choices. The portions are gourmet continental not American oversize. Tropical fruit was always a dessert choice and there was a "diet" cake option too.
I tried to order special things you don't see at home, not just lots of food because it was included, used portion control and took the stairs unless I was wearing high heels. I ordered fish a lot. I splurged and bought a yoga class, used their gym. I had a great vacation and didn't come home with too much extra weight.

[oncruisecontrol]

Originally Posted by linda03

There is a selection of bread and cereal, too.

The sliced bread they offer is no good (at least from a weight loss/health standard) as it is all made with white flour. I wish Carnival offered 100% whole grain, stone ground (high fructose syrup-free) bread. Even the stuff at the deli that they euphemistically call "wheat" bread is made with white flour and is not 100% whole wheat.

[reginaphalange]

Originally Posted by The Mad Chef

We're vegetarian and happy that, as per our PVP that there are plenty of options available to chow on. But does anyone know if soy milk is available? Thanks, in advance!

I have been told by Carnival that soy milk is available pretty much all over the ship, you may just have to ask for it.