- Category
- travellifestyleNutrition
- DateMarch 1, 2024
- AuthorMeaghan Kennedy
- Read Time5 min
How to stay fit while travelling:Brazil
Those who know me know that I love travelling. At the beginning of 2024, I had the pleasure of travelling to Brazil. As someone who has travelled to fifteen countries, Brazil is easily at the top of my list of countries to visit again. Brazilian culture is vibrant and full of amazing sights and sounds, contrary to what the Western media portrays. Locals are genuine, friendly, and hospitable. While I was there, I never felt unsafe. (I used caution, of course.)
I was also pleasantly surprised to see how easy it was to stick to my fitness goals while travelling throughout the country. While travelling, I could see that Brazil is a country that supports an active lifestyle. In addition to an abundance of parks, there were plenty of nutrition options in the tropical country, which was full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and minimally processed cheeses and meats. Additionally, the country had plenty of bike lanes, running trails, and outdoor gyms to promote exercise.
Nutrition
One of the hardest parts of travelling is sticking to our nutrition goals. Unfortunately, what we eat will dictate our results. Luckily, it is easy to stick to your diet and enjoy the local cuisine while travelling in Brazil.
Here are my go-to foods while travelling in Brazil:
1. Tapioca - Low in fat and ideal for a gluten-free diet, tapioca is popular in Brazil amongst fitness enthusiasts. Tapioca wraps are a popular dish found in most Brazilian restaurants. You can eat it sweet or savoury like a crepe. I love eating tapioca with turkey slices, cheese, and oregano.
1.Smoothies and juices-one might think that every smoothie or juice bar in Brazil is made with fresh ingredients, and rightfully so. Brazil is home to hundreds of different fruits and vegetables. That does not mean that the smoothie or juice that you order is made with fresh ingredients. Some places use pre-packaged juice. Sugar is often added to smoothies and juices at restaurants. If you are watching your sugar intake ask for “sem açúcar” (without sugar).
2.You can buy ready-made meals in grocery stores that consist of chicken or beef, rice, sweet potato, and beans.
3. You can find a variety of diet sodas specifically from Brazil such as guarana diet soda.
4.Buffets- Buffets are popular in Brazil. My favourite buffet chain in Brazil is a place called Divino Fogao. This restaurant chain can be found everywhere, even in airports. There you will have access to plenty of healthy foods such as fresh vegetables, boiled eggs, and meat. Just avoid the deep-fried stuff. These buffet-style restaurants usually allow you to pay for your meal by weight or choose one or two meats and fill your plate for a fixed price.
5.Acai Bowls: Straight from the Amazon Rainforest, Acai is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. My advice is to find places that serve traditional acai. Some restaurants use pre-packaged mixes that are very high in sugar. Traditional acai is not super sweet.
Fitness
Take a look around the parks and beaches, it should be quite obvious to an outsider that Brazilians take their fitness seriously. People can be seen jogging, playing beach volleyball, biking, and surfing even in the most intense heat.
Outdoor gyms can be found in just about every park in Brazil. These outdoor parks are free with some being identical to an actual gym. These outdoor gyms are usually found in parks where you will see plenty of fit people jogging, biking, and participating in outdoor dance and exercise classes.
I visited a famous outdoor gym that lies between the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Here you can do just about every exercise such as bench press or barbell squat.
Smart Fit
If you prefer to workout in a traditional gym, there is a popular chain called "Smart Fit" which is present all over South America. I swear I saw a smart fit on every corner in Brazil. Like other large chains, Smart Fit gives people the option to workout in other locations throughout the country.
In Conclusion
Overall, Brazil presents a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and a fitness-friendly lifestyle. So, whether you're a fitness enthusiast looking to maintain your routine or simply seeking an active and adventurous vacation, Brazil should undoubtedly be on your travel list. Embrace the marvellous landscapes, embrace the lively culture, and embrace the chance to stay fit while enjoying all that Brazil has to offer.
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