One of the first things I heard when I moved to Bangkok was that it’s oftentimes cheaper to just eat out rather than try to cook meals regularly at home. I can definitely affirm that food is largely more accessible and affordable here than it was back home. The best example of what I’m talking about is the food options available at the local 7/11. Offering ready-made meals, sandwiches, drinks and more, it’s entirely possible to spend an entire trip eating only 7/11 food. As a person trying to lose weight, here are a few options that are affordable, nutritious, and can absolutely help anyone shave some pounds.
- Proteins of all shapes and sizes.
A lot of people dedicated to fitness will already know that if you’re looking to be healthier, you have to consume a large amount of protein. 7/11 remedies this by offering several forms of proteins, things ranging from ready-to-eat chicken breast packs priced at around 40 baht, hard-boiled eggs at 20 baht for 2, and a whole array of protein shakes. While I’m not a huge fan of Greek yogurt myself, this is also a completely acceptable option at 35 baht for a cup. These foods can make up the bulk of an athlete’s food intake and will help make them feel full while fueling muscles to burn calories. As such, anyone seeking to cut weight should keep at least one or two of these options in mind.
- Carbs and Snacks
Snacks are perhaps the biggest culprit for my weight gain over the years. One thing I’ve learned however is that it’s impossible to avoid the odd snack all the time, so it’s best to snack smarter instead of snack less. While 7/11 is no stranger to the usual sweets and pastries you’ll find in any American convenience store, it is also host to fresh fruit like guava, pomelo, and papaya, all fantastic options for weight loss and priced at around 35 baht for a serving of each. If you’re looking for something more substantial, there are various rice options sold at single serving sizes which are perfect for avoiding overeating. If you’re feeling exceptionally health-conscious, I recommend a small riceberry bowl priced at 35 baht. Riceberry is a Thai rice variant, rich in antioxidants and fiber like brown rice but with a chewier consistency. It serves as a fantastic base for one of those ready-to-eat chicken breasts I mentioned earlier. With one of those and a riceberry bowl, you’ve got a hearty, healthy meal for less than $3 USD, a steal when you consider food options back in the USA.
- Healthy Drinks
Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you that I am a coffee fiend. While I’m making cuts to certain foods and snacks, I will never be without a morning cup of joe. 7/11 was especially helpful in this regard when we first moved here and didn’t have any coffee making utilities. There are several different coffee options, and while I love all of them, it’s important to avoid the sugary ones. For your morning caffeine fix, I recommend avoiding the lattes and mochas and sticking with an Americano or at most a sugar-free latte. For later periods in the day or more tea-oriented folks, you can’t go wrong with the green tea or jasmine tea options, both reasonably priced at 30 baht. The trick here is to avoid anything with high-sugar content, and if you look for these options, they’re fairly easy to find.
Weight loss is tough, especially in a city as diverse and flavorful as Bangkok. There’s a reason why so many New Year’s resolutions fail especially here, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are no deadlines for getting in shape except those we place on ourselves. By incorporating healthy options into your diet and knowing where to look at your primary food source, getting into shape is just a matter of patience and consistency. Hopefully these tips help you in your weight-loss journey as they’ve helped me.
<p>The post Healthy and Cheap 7-Eleven Finds in Bangkok (That Actually Help With Weight Loss) first appeared on Travelbinger.</p>