Will I gain weight in Peru?

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Aureen

Well, it really depends on how much you are planning on moving around and eating (also any possible parasites that might come along at first).

I would say that it is actually more likely that you will lose a good bit of weight. After living there for two years I have lost about 35 lbs, and I look and feel great. About half of that weight was shed off in the first year. If you do not over-eat and make a point of walking from place to place you will be surprised at how much healthier you feel.

I did have some problems adjusting to the food in Peru, so I am going to offer you some tips:

- Most foods are made with very fresh, natural ingredients and you will seldom see pre-packaged or canned goods. While this means that you will be packing in lots of great vitamins, it also means that your stomach will have to adjust. Be careful mixing different types of food, and try not to eat more than one heavy meal in one day (and better if it is not at night). Peruvians usually eat their heaviest meal at lunchtime, and for good reason -- you need time to digest, and it's not good to go to bed on a full stomach.

- The spicy pepper sauces (ajÃ) come in a variety of delicious colors and flavors. Go easy on them at first as you don't know how your stomach or digestive system will react. It took me a while to be able to eat it in fair quantities.

- *Always* wash your produce well before you eat it. It is easy to get parasites from foods like strawberries or lettuce if they are not thoroughly cleaned before consumption. Also remember to wash your hands before eating.

- Just as a good rule in general for foreign countries: do not drink water straight from the faucet. Either drink it after it has come through a filter or from a plastic bottle.

- If you do end up having an upset stomach from something you've eaten, try taking Sal de Andrews (a powder you put into water and take like Alka-Seltzer). Another good thing to take that helps with basic digestion is Frutenzima, a pill that can be found at most pharmacies. If you have a weak stomach after diarrea, etc, try eating bread or saltine crackers and drinking Gatorade (or Sporade).

Your mobility will depend which part of Peru you are in, but I would tell you to bring some comfortable shoes because more likely than not you will be doing a lot of walking. I hope that you have a wonderful trip! If you have any other questions just let me know.

Jonathan

I'm very familiar with Latin America, and I lived there for a number of years.

What you can expect:
You'll probably have some issue with the food and water in the first month, or even first weeks, which will make you sick. I believe in Mexico they call this Montezuma's revenge. It is completely normal, most Americans traveling abroad deal with it. This alone will result in several pounds of weight loss. Then, the food will be very different - smaller portions, not so much of an emphasis on fried, fatty foods, no supersized soda drinks, and so forth. Add that to the fact that you may have a much less sedentary life - more walking and more public transportation (will you have a car?), will mean you will burn more calories per day.

All in all, over the course of a year, without trying, I'd guess you could lose between 10-15 pounds.

One final note: last time I was in Latin America was for 3 weeks. Over that period of time, I lost more than 5 pounds, due to all the above factors.

Ya They Hate Me Now

my friend went to peru for school and gained 15 lbs. she had to tell her host family that she loved their food but couldnt eat it anymore because of how her body reacted to it. She started putting together her own meals.

manda

Just get some parasites in ur diet... ull lose weight!

Nemisis

no ur probly more likely 2 luze sum weight there

COACH girl =]

its common to lose weight there because of the change in diet but when i went there the food was really good!!!!!!!!!!!!
but when i went home i lost like 10 pounds

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