Foods to eat and avoid at an all-inclusive resort

Gettyimages.com/Two multi-ethnic women relaxing and talking on a patio. The African-American woman, in her 30s, is reclining on a chair, feet up, drinking a cocktail. Her girlfriend, a mature woman in her 40s, is standing next to her.

I love a good all-inclusive resort. I find them to be pretty price efficient when you compare them to paying for every single meal, cocktail, show ticket, kayak rental, and Zumba class individually. And, when you travel to a new place, trying to find a restaurant to eat at that doesn’t charge ridiculous tourist prices, and actually serves authentic fare, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, can be exhausting. If you’re truly far from home, you might have a hard time finding activities and tours that are both safe and fairly priced. An all-inclusive resort handles a lot of this for you. The only trouble is that I tend to come back from all-inclusive resorts a little heavier than I left for them. It’s hard not to try each special kind of pudding and bread when they’re all included. So, if you’re off to a place like this this summer, here are the foods you should eat, and avoid, at an all-inclusive resort.

Gettyimages.com/Plastic bag of mandarines on a white background

Eat: the free fruit

You should find bowls of it in the lobby, in the gym, around the pool, and—of course—at the buffet. Snack on these, and put pieces in your purse for later. Don’t feel bad about putting four or five oranges and bananas in your bag. You’re technically paying for them.