How I Ate and Drank My Way to Better Shape in Europe

Buttery croissants for breakfast, paella for lunch, and copious amounts of wine at every meal— sounds too good to be true right? This is not an article about my Eat, Pray, Love rendition in Europe, but more of an observation of why it seems like I’m able to eat whatever I want, exercise minimally, and still somehow maintain my figure when traveling in Europe.

Needless to say, I don’t have any scientifically backed data, but I have some fair predictions. And I tested this theory not only once, but twice from my two trips;)

Lower Stress Levels

A major thing is stress. Back in North America, we’re so programmed to sit all day in front of our desks, order Ubereats for lunch, which we’re subjected to what? One hour for a break if we’re lucky. Even on a freelancing schedule, I found myself not working 9-5, but sometimes 7-7. I was inherently putting my body under subliminal stress constantly—not having proper posture, stressing to get everything done on my list, drinking too much caffeine.

Sure, I worked out every day. I ate meal preps. Yet every time I come back home, within a week I feel bloated and not as good about myself.

Perception is also important. How we perceive how life is and our emotional state, all have an impact on how we view ourselves in the mirror. When there’s a day full of adventure ahead of us, we’re not worrying about calories or what parts of our bodies are not meeting the mark.

Quality of the Food

Quality. This is an important factor we cannot miss. In certain parts of Europe (I’ve been to France, Spain, Italy, and Greece), you’ll be very hard-pressed to find fast food.

 France is notorious for slow service and long meals—you’re not going to get away with eating dinner for at least two hours. The ingredients, you can tell, are all super fresh and often locally produced. They don’t go easy on the butter, nor on the bread— but the combination of richness and fresh quality equals…. Satiety. Usually, by the end of the first course, I already feel my stomach beginning to fill up. This means less snacking in between meals (and fewer calories).

I once heard a funny statement, that gluten intolerants can eat the bread in France! Quality matters, the less processing food goes through, the better it is on our digestive health and absorption of nutrients. I’ll bet you for the price of a baguette that the ingredients found in North American bread are more than the ones found in French. We want to avoid eating ultra-processed foods and switch them to minimally processed foods.

Low-Effort Exercise

I am a self-admitted gym rat. Am I in the best shape of my life? Absolutely not.

I work out 6 days a week back at home, eat chicken breast for lunch, you know the rest of the story.

In Europe, for a month straight I dramatically cut down my exercise (zero weight lifting), did not have a single ounce of chicken I’m pretty sure unless it was basked in duck fat. 

However, by the name of God, you’re not going to get anywhere without walking in Paris. You walk copious amounts especially if you’re sightseeing, taking pictures, visiting restaurants and bars— and why wouldn’t you? With the beautiful backdrops of the Seine River and the Eiffel Tower in the background? These are walks you simply don’t want to miss while you’re there.

In Spain, we were lucky to have bright, blue clear skies almost every day! I would run at my favorite park Retiro for all the days I was in Madrid, and by the beach boardwalk in Valencia. 

To me, it wasn’t any form of forced exercise— it was that I truly missed movement, and getting my heart pumping. Plus, with the views I had, it felt more likely I was exploring a new place, rather than actually running.

When we work out intensely every day— weight lifting, HIIT classes, kickboxing, pilates..ect we actually put our bodies and muscles under a lot of stress. Exercising daily without taking a rest day can cause both physical and mental exhaustion. Also, we’re more prone to eat more to make up for our perceived losses in calories.

Spending Quality Meal Time with People

One of the things I enjoyed the most, was sharing my meals with people. Having lighthearted conversations while passing the wine around the table. This allows you to slow down, truly enjoy your meal, and share this experience with others.

When we’re more mindful and intentional with our eating, our bodies are at a more relaxed state and we’re more prone to get full faster. Having a glass of wine is no longer about the extra hundred calories, but is more of a mealtime staple— to enjoy, to savor the meal, and honor the time spent.

Conclusion

Needless to say, I have thoroughly enjoyed my food in Europe without guilt. Would I go on a European diet 365 days a year? Probably not. I would miss my own cultural flavors too much, plus eating out all the time, regardless of the quality is bound to get tiring.

The point I’m trying to make is, you don’t have to stress about the vacation weight gain as much if you choose Europe as your destination. Sure, you might gain a pound or two, but the happiness and relaxation you gain in return are unquantifiable in my experience.