Despite what many yacht crew may think, you can work on a yacht and maintain healthy eating habits without making the chef or anyone else hate you.
It does take a bit of planning, patience and consistency but you can achieve your goals with these action steps.
If you’re speaking to the captain, ask permission to speak to the chef directly. If that is possible, read on to No. 2; if not, skip to No. 5. Keep a strong resolve and be patient.
Approach the situation as if he/she will go above on and beyond for you, and make sure to show your appreciation for it in an authentic way.
Be specific without being overly picky and make sure you include foods that will fill you up. This could be potatoes, rice, beans, lentils, etc. If you’re not specific, you could find yourself at the crew mess table hungry with your only option being salad and bread. If this happens enough, the chances of ruining your healthy habits are high.
If you want to stay healthy, you must eat enough whole foods that are filling to keep your cravings from taking over your mind.
Foods such as low sodium pasta sauce, pre-cooked lentils, cans of beans, soups and other pre-cooked foods will get you through the toughest times. When the Chef asks why you’re eating your own food, be honest and diplomatic about it.
Stay strong and be sweetly persistent in your efforts.
Angela Orecchio is a chief stew and certified health coach. This column was edited from entries in her blog, The Yachtie Glow (www.angelaorecchio.com), which offers tips for crew on how to be healthy, fit and happy on board. Comments are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com.
Ingredients:
1 whole clove garlic
2 fresh chillies
1 string bean cut to 2cm
50 grams green papaya, peeled, shredded
30 grams carrots, peeled, shredded
1 tsp palm sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp soybean sauce
1 Tbsp lime juice
1 tomato cut into 6 pieces
1 tsp toasted peanuts
Crush garlic and chilies in a mortar. Add string bean, crush roughly.
Add papaya and carrot, mix thoroughly.
Add palm sugar, soybean sauce, lime juice and tomato. Mix thoroughly.
Serve on a plate, garnish with peanuts.
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