Going to Europe... what to do!

[sgrace]

So I'm studying abroad in Europe this summer and I leave June 6th. I'm SOOO excited, but I'm also scared to death! I've lost about 60 pounds on Atkins and I feel so much more prepared to take this trip, physically. But I don't know what I should do about "dieting" overseas.

I'm traveling in a group... we'll be doing A LOT of field work (it is for school after all) and I'm really nervous about the food. Part of me feels like "you can't go to ITALY and not have the pasta... you can't go to Paris and not eat the bread..." you get the idea. sigh...

I just feel like this is a once in a life time opportunity and I should cut myself some slack and just go... enjoy the culture, the people, the food, the traditions... but the other part of me is petrified of gaining back any weight. I mean we'll be walking everywhere we go so I can only imagine how many miles a day that will be - so it's not like I'll be sitting on my behind stuffing cheesecakes down my throat all day. Maybe I'll be ok?

Has anyone else had any experience with this type of thing? What did you do? What WOULD you do?

Thanks guys!

[liv]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

You'll be OK whatever you do. But I know what you are thinking. I had to make this decision last year when I went to Europe. I stayed with family and with very little control over food choices so I went with the flow. I agonized over it quite a bit though but I think I did the right thing. I put on some weight but going back and being strict worked fine for me. You do have to kind of honest with yourself I think.

[Georgiana]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

First of all, congratulations for earning the opportunity to study abroad this summer!

Now...

I'm traveling in a group... we'll be doing A LOT of field work (it is for school after all) and I'm really nervous about the food. Part of me feels like "you can't go to ITALY and not have the pasta... you can't go to Paris and not eat the bread..." you get the idea. sigh...

Identifying a country with a certain food, to the point where you feel you will not be able to fully enjoy it unless you eat that particular food, is a mistake, imo. I live in Germany. Do you think I would be missing out on the "American experience" if I didn't eat hot dogs or fries and burgers? Or Ben & Jerry ice cream?

I just feel like this is a once in a life time opportunity and I should cut myself some slack and just go... enjoy the culture, the people, the food, the traditions... but the other part of me is petrified of gaining back any weight.

You should definitely make the most out of this opportunity. You can enjoy the culture, the people, the food and the traditions of a country without eating certain foods. In Italy for example, you can have great antipasti, delicious artichokes, plus fresh fish, shellfish and other meats. In France, you can have endives, foie gras, duck confit, not to mention some amazing cheeses! I've traveled and lived in different countries and everywhere you go you can find traditional dishes that are Atkins-friendly. Choosing them will allow you to enjoy the food, while enjoying the culture, the people and the traditions has nothing to do with the food you are eating.

I mean we'll be walking everywhere we go so I can only imagine how many miles a day that will be - so it's not like I'll be sitting on my behind stuffing cheesecakes down my throat all day. Maybe I'll be ok?

I think you have to be honest to yourself. It is not eating a slice of slice of bread or pizza or cheesecake that made us gain weight, but not being able to limit the amount we ate. Sugar and white flour will trigger cravings, and from that point you're on a slippery slope. Once you're in Craveland, you will not be "stuffing cheesecakes down your throat all day", but you will be "snacking" on French pastry or on Italian biscotti or on something else. This is not because you lack the will to keep your calories in check, but because wanting to do it is one thing and your body allowing you to do it is a completely different one.

I see you are in extended Induction. You have 5 weeks until you leave for your trip, so it's time to take a few steps forward. Move to OWL and start climbing the Carbohydrate Ladder. If everything goes right, you should reach OWL Rung 4 or so by June. This will allow you to eat more vegetables, diary, nuts and berries, thus giving you more freedom when it comes to dietary choices. You might also be able to find your CCLL until June, so you will know how many carbs you can eat and still lose weight. Then, during your time abroad, you can either continue adding new food groups to your diet or you can "freeze" it by eating only the foods you have already introduced and by maintaining a certain carbohydrate intake.

So go and have a fantastic time, but eat in a way that will make you feel good while you are there and when you return to the States. Do some research on dishes specific to the countries you'll be visiting and choose something that fits your Atkins lifestyle. I will try to get a few European members in this thread to give you some suggestions too.

If you're traveling to Germany, I'll be happy to help.

[sgrace]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

Thanks so much! I've been wondering about moving into OWL as well... I think I'm ready, but I've wondered if it was a good idea so close to leaving - afraid I'd blow it all together.

That, and I wondered if adding back some of the carbs, or climbing the ladder I should say, wouldn't help my stomach if I did end up roaming outside my safety zone while I'm there. I don't want to shock my system and end up in cravings central!

OH... and we're starting in Rome... working our way up to Switzerland, then end in Paris... so we're sort of snaking our way through. No Germany though.. Not this time anyway!

[Slapshot]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

Do you think I would be missing out on the "American experience" if I didn't eat hot dogs or fries and burgers? Or Ben & Jerry ice cream?

Um. Yes?

[chinadoll]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

I am going to be a voice of dissent but I went to Italy in November on a 25th anniversary trip and I definitely would have felt like I missed out on some things if I hadn't set Atkins aside for the weeks I was there. But, I didn't toss the whole thing out the window. I ate my eggs and bacon for breakfast and had a small pasta (or split one with DH) for lunch or dinner (not both) along with salad and a meat course. Dessert was an expresso or cappucino. And yes I ate a couple of gelatos while I was there but I didn't go nuts. Luckily the extensive walking kept things in check and I came home at the same weight I left. I went back on plan right afterward (only to blow it over the holidays).

I think you can find a reasonable way to enjoy those ultra European experiences and food without having to have all of it, all the time. Have one croissant in Paris, not a whole one each day. Have a pasta in Rome but don't eat it at lunch and dinner. And don't forget--osso buco is a definitive Roman dish and low carb friendly. The roast wild boar is delicioso. Their antipasti of grilled melanzane (eggplant) and zucchini and sundried tomato is wonderful. Melon wrapped with Parma ham. There are lots of classic dishes that don't include pasta too!

Whatever you decide, have a terrific trip!

[sgrace]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

OMG all of that sounds SOOO good. I think I agree with you... I'm going to be conscious of what I put in my body, but I'm going to allow myself a little wiggle room too.

And I whole heartily plan on going back to square one once I'm home. I plan on hitting full-on induction for 2 weeks then start back to OWL. I still have a good 50 pounds to loose before graduation (May of 2010) and I plan to make low carb a lifestyle change. I won't lie... I chose Atkins because I had this goal of loosing considerable weight before I went to Europe - I wanted to go and be able to enjoy myself physically. At the weight I was... I could barely walk anymore due to two broken knees and a dislocated hip earlier in life.

I've already reached sooo many mini-goals in the last 5 months and honestly I can't see myself living like that again. My new mantra has become "nothing tastes as good as thin is going to feel" and that gets me through the rough days.

Thanks to all of you for all your advice and support. This Europe trip means SO much to me... as a single mom and a full time student - this type of life expereince truely seemed WAY out of my grasp. But with A LOT of hard work I'm making this happen, and I have Atkins to thank for a big part of that.

[Zarabelle]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

I think you've been given some good advice here. If you feel you can occassionally endulge without allowing yourself to completely go off the rails then that should be OK. Just remember two things:
1. How far you have come and how well you've done.
2. Carbs are an addiction...
Have a fantastic trip xxx

[chinadoll]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

Have a ball and then check in here to tell us all about it when you return!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

Hi there! How lovely that you're going to Europe this summer! Also... congrats on your 60 lbs lost... that's awesome.

I know you don't want to visit places and not try the local specialities...but at the same time you don't want to throw your success out the window. It's always quite a dilemma, and one that you need to solve, based on knowing how you react to bending dietary rules you've set yourself.

My advice would be to up your exercise and water consumption while on your trip, and allow yourself a few taste experiences without going overboard.

As far as Italy is concerned... it's true that it's not the easiest country to do Atkins in, but believe me, there are loads of wonderful dishes that are low carb.
I don't want to blow my own trumpet, but you might be interested to read a short piece I wrote way back when, for an ADBB Newsletter in 2007. Might just give you an idea or two about Atkins in Italy. Here's the link (then you need to click on one of Tom's links to open the newsletter):

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....ADBB+Newsletter



Sorry if I've repeated what others have said... I haven't had time to do more than skim through this thread.

Buon Viaggio!!!

[ms_blueliner]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

First of all... How lucky are you?

Secondly, having been in almost the same situation as you (minus the school), I feel your pain. I went a few years ago (France and Italy as well) in the middle of a diet and I was so worried that I would completely undo all of my hard work with all of the great food.

However, I found that as long as I used moderation in what I was eating, I didn't gain anything throughout the trip. If I wanted pasta, I had a few bites and then stopped. I'm sure the walking had a lot to do with it too.

Ultimately... ENJOY YOURSELF! As you said, this is a once in a lifetime trip that you will remember forever!

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

I am so glad Sally is here to chime in!

I promise you eating non-starchy vegetables, low-glycemic fruit, and avoiding sugars is possible in any country. If the above foods are made available in restaurants and supermarkets - and they always are - you are set for continued success. If diabetics in that country can make it work without daily visits to the E.R., so can you. I must emphasize here that no matter where I have been in the world, I have never once been obligated to eat off-plan. It is all about wanting it enough, and you always have the choice.

You can do it - and have fun!! What an amazing experience you are going to have ...

[looksdeceiving]

Re: Going to Europe... what to do!

In my opinion, I have to agree with many here -- ATKINS is a lifestyle not a diet, therefore, you have to treat it as such which means there will be times like once in a lifetime experiences where you won't eat on plan, and i would say if this is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME experience and you aren't sure you will ever do it again, especially if you are going for a couple months versus a week or so, I would attempt to experience life there. So if you are going for a couple months, then be sensible as others have suggested. Eat on plan with regard to every day mundane eating, but when you are actually eating to EXPERIENCE the culture, then do so. If you are only going for a week or so and this is a once in a lifetime don't have a clue when i will return, don't stress yourself out worrying about staying ON PLAN to the letter. This is a perfect opportunity to LIVE atkins, which means you can gauge when you are eating to experience the culture around you and when you are eating simply because you aren't paying attention. Just make sure you are focusing on the culture when you choose to eat something and not simply eating it because you like it and its there and well you can go off plan so to speak. MANY countries unlike the US are big on the ambiance of eating --- and that is where the love of food comes in. But be sure to portion size and don't gorge yourself. Be sure to TASTE the food and not just eat a whole plate because its there.

I would say try everything you want to try -- not try everything just because its there. If you try it once, really make sure you NEED to try it again or want to even. But also talk to the people in the restuarants and stuff and ask them what they would recommend that is low carb that you can try that is authentic to wherever you are. But don't take your DIET abroad with you, take your lifestyle with you and within lifestyle it allows you to IN MODERATION enjoy things that aren't spelled out in the plan so to speak.

Seriously enjoy yourself and ENJOY the new unusual and good food you will encounter, but make sure you do it responsibly and apply things you have learned while losing weight such as portion control, understanding sugar, learning to TASTE your food not just swallow it, realize you don't have to eat everything just because everyone else is, and when you can eat on plan and won't be missing anything, then do so. I would also be sure you get PLENTY of focused exercise in (not just walking around exploring but a couple days a week 30 minutes of focused i am exercising time so you don't get too out of practice and DRINK YOUR WATER!!

This will be a good learning experience for you -- not only abroad but how to know when you are experiencing culture through food and when you are eating just to eat.

angel