Traveling

[RBLWMN]

I am really stressing about an upcoming trip. My dd & I have been Atkining since the first of the year. We are doing great & only had one bad weekend lol, yep, you guessed it Valentines!

So we are traveling to DC for the National Walk for Epilepsy & my dd will be a part of the Kids Speak Up program where she will actually speak to members of congress & the senate (probably their aides). We aren't going to have a car of be anywhere near a grocery store. Most of our meals are going to be provided, you know glorious conference style. lol We won't have much choice.

Any suggestions? We don't use the Atkins shakes or bars, maybe I should pack some (they just seem so high in carbs to me). Oh & yes we will be flying so that cuts down on the amount I can pack. Plus, we all know most of our food needs to be refridgerated & I know the room will not have one. I'm thinking about packing a little soft sided cooler to keep in the tub with ice in it.

Love the site, I know I don't post a lot but I read constantly. You all ROCK!

[RBLWMN]

Re: Traveling

Does anyone have any travel tips?

[Elffriend]

Re: Traveling

Make sure you check the current list of what you are allowed to take on the plane. If they are allowed, any of the following might be good:

Foil packets of tuna
Baby Bel cheeses
Pepperoni
Nuts

How long is the flight? Ziploc baggies of cut up veggies should be ok for a couple of hours. You can get little individual cups of ranch dressing, if they will allow that on the plane.

I think a small soft sided cooler would be fine if you will have access to ice. Some precooked meats would be a good idea. You might want to type the address of your hotel into google maps and search to see what is nearby. There might be some store where you can pick up supplies.

Since you are not allowed to take water on board any more, take an empty bottle and fill it after passing through security.

[Adena]

Re: Traveling

Jill, if you have access to jicama, that's a great veggie that you don't have to refridgerate. It's kind of heavy, so you'd probably rather check it than carry it on the plane. Pork rinds are also a good, easily portable option. If you've made it to the nuts rung yet, that is of course a very convenient, portable snack. And if you haven't... if you have at least a few weeks before your trip, I suggest you seriously consider moving up the rungs. It will give you more options on your trip. You spend two weeks on each rung. Nuts and berries will be really helpful options.

Some people find the bars keep them from losing, but for a few days, they might be a good option to have with you -- better than some of the other alternatives you might be tempted to eat instead. They actually are fairly low carb (the ones labeled as such) -- make sure you are looking at the net carb count.

The soft sided cooler and other suggetions listed are good ones, too. Remember, the key is not allowing yourself to be vulnerable (hungry)... that's when the bad crap seems irresistible.

Oh, one more tip -- they usually have little cream cheese packets at continental breakfasts.... grab a few each day if you see them. They make for a good snack in a pinch.

Best of luck to you -- and have a good trip!

[RBLWMN]

Re: Traveling

Great ideas! I never thought about that babel cheese. We could have that for breakfast.

I never thought about the jicama either. I must admit as adventurous an eater I am I still haven't tried any.

Thats why I asked y'all for help. Sometime you can see things so clearly. I eat pork rinds everyday but never thought to take them on my trip. Same with the other snack foods. At least if we have something in our tummies when we go to the banquets we won't be so hungry we just cave in.

Thanks! Any other ideas?

[Adena]

Re: Traveling

Jill, I LOVE jicama. It tastes like a less-sweet apple. Or, like a sweet raw potato, if that makes sense. Not everyone loves it at first bite, but it quickly grows on you.

Oh, here's another good one that does require refridgeration... bell peppers. I eat the red ones all them time -- nice and sweet and crispy. Looks like you're gonna need another small suitcase just for porkrinds, pepperoni, and produce.

[Adena]

Re: Traveling

P.S. One more travel trip. It might sound a little gross, but it works well for me. If there are limited breakfast choices, but they are serving continental and there's butter on the table/buffet, I sometimes cream a little on my plate with a little splenda. It sorta reminds me of cookie dough. Good way to get a little fat, and help you to pass up the pastries.

Also, when everyone is having dessert, I have coffee with cream and splenda.

Now both of these are sweet options, and should be indulged judiciously, but they are better than illegal alternatives.

Enjoy!

[Elizellen]

Re: Traveling

I know you said that the meals would be catered so you would not have any choice, but I have found catering managers very willing to help me if I get in touch beforehand.

If you were diabetic or celiac (sp?) or had certain foods you could not eat because of religious dietary rules I am sure it would be possible for your needs to be catered for - in fact it might be considered to be a form of discrimination for your requests for alterations to the 'set' meals not to be taken seriously!

BTW - I am sure I read that many epilepsy specialists recommend lowcarb diets for their patients!

The organisers of the event ought to be able to give you contact details to find out what foods will be available.

[DigitalMocking]

Re: Traveling

I know you said that the meals would be catered so you would not have any choice, but I have found catering managers very willing to help me if I get in touch beforehand.

If you were diabetic or celiac (sp?) or had certain foods you could not eat because of religious dietary rules I am sure it would be possible for your needs to be catered for - in fact it might be considered to be a form of discrimination for your requests for alterations to the 'set' meals not to be taken seriously!

BTW - I am sure I read that many epilepsy specialists recommend lowcarb diets for their patients!

The organisers of the event ought to be able to give you contact details to find out what foods will be available.

Marvelous post, and yes, many epiliptic patients benefit from ketogenic diets like atkins.

I'd bet if you get in touch with the event organizers you'd be amazed at how accomodating they are.

[Purple Crayon]

Re: Traveling

Foil packets of tuna, chicken, salmon.
Get some packets of mayo, mustard and salad dressings. Fast food restaurants should have some or the local Sub shop or the canteen at work.
Nuts.
Cheese sticks.
Jerky.
At some convenience stores you can get those big dill pickles in individual packets.

It may not be your usual fare, but it's something to get by on so you aren't starving.

And don't forget to take some plastic silverware.

At the provided meals just do the best you can with what is there. So you eat a rung or so higher, keep the carb ladder in mind and make the wisest choices. Better to have an apple for breakfast than a donut.

Restaurants that deliver will deliver to hotel rooms also. Ask the desk clerk what is available.

[DigitalMocking]

Re: Traveling

It's very hard to find jerky without sugar and nitrates in it, just keep that in mind, but that's going to be a lot better than eating a donut, that's for sure.