I recently spent a week in Hawaii, a highlight of focusing on rest, relaxation and replenishment this month. It was an amazing trip with plenty of time in the sun and surf. I’d recommend Hawaii for a vacation destination, and with the nutrition & food finds I made below, your stomach will be tantalized without ruining your waistline.

Pineapple contains a naturally occurring enzyme called bromelain, which can boost digestive function. While not a native fruit to Hawaii, it’s cultivation in the last 100 years, has grown into one of the biggest industries for Hawaii. While I recommend consuming more sugary fruits, like pineapple away from meals, a slice or two an hour before, or an hour after a meal could benefit your nutritient absorption.

Pineapple can, and has in traditional cooking, been used to tenderize meat. It can be added to marinades (diced), kebabs (cubed), or on top of steak (sliced).

Because of the high temperatures in Hawaii, and with refrigeration limited for early settlers, meat smoking was widely used. Salted meat served at luau’s is worth it, it’s extremely tender. If it’s two hard to restrict your intake to 2 pieces, the sodium content can be balanced with potassium rich foods such as fresh vegetables.

Salted meats

Taro root is used widely, and my favourite use is as a flour base for buns. I almost had no “off switch” with these doughy delights. Because this starchy carb is often consumed with rich meats such as pulled khalua pork, it can pose a food combining headache. I recommend using additional digestive enzymes with your meal, or sipping on mint tea or lemon water.

Poke is a raw fish salad, often with a spicy marinade to warm up the cooling nature of raw fish. I really quite enjoyed the one served at the Polynesian Cultural Centre, but would caution you to be confident the fish has been appropriately stored. This, combined with fresh veggie salads makes for a Low Glycemic Index meal, great for those on carb reduced protocol for bikini weather…

Luau Dinner: Poke salad is from 11-12 noon, Taro root in the bullseye, island fish from 2-3pm, extra greens (steamed and fresh), and pulled kahlua pork from 4-6pm.

Halupia, a coconut pudding, is just too delic to pass up. So was the pineapple flavoured soft serve at the Dole plantation. You gotta live a little right?! I bought a snorkel and spent many hours poking around the shores earning my supper

Halupia

If you head to the Island of Oahu, let me know! I have a few recommendations for places to stay and eat, I’d love to share them with you!