Low carbing on vacation.
motown13
Posts: 688 Member
This might be rough this summer. We are headed to Costa Rica, so I have been to a few travel sites, and it seems that they like to eat rice and beans at least once a day, and they feast on wonderful, local, fresh fruit.
If vacation was in the states, this would be no issue. But I am a bit afraid of this trip. Though no matter what, I'm going. This has been a dream for about 7 or 8 years.
If vacation was in the states, this would be no issue. But I am a bit afraid of this trip. Though no matter what, I'm going. This has been a dream for about 7 or 8 years.
0
Replies
-
I survived Mexico!
Have a plan. How important is it to you to stay keto?
Life and death for me.
Salads. Meat. Ask for extra. I would order 5 tacos and ask for the meat, guac, onions, and cilantro to be put on a plate - no tortillas.
No one batted an eyelash.
"Potatoes and rice and bread are bad for me." Say that. People understand.
I mentally prepare myself that certain fruit and pastry will NOT be a part of my experience.
Bottom line? It CAN be done. If you want to. How important is it? Some will tell you to just eat everything and "enjoy". But that attitude is what got me to 350 lbs.
YMMV0 -
Not sure if you can pack and take anything with you, but you should still be able to get some LCHF friendly foods over there: seeds and nuts, avocados, cheese sticks (or just cheese), pork rinds, jerky (without sugar), fresh meats, smaller amounts of non-starchy vegetables, etc.0
-
I have found it pretty easy to remain LCHF while traveling, but haven't been out of the state's yet. We have a trip to Jamaica in a few weeks (Zika virus be darned!!), and I plan to remain LCHF. I have learned to ask for what I want, and leave the rest. But, my experience while traveling, and remaining on plan, was some left over food cravings (carb fillers in the food was my thinking on this) to deal with! My son was in Costa Rica recently and it looks beautiful there!!0
-
Emergency almonds plus asking for what I want n politely leaving potato chips, crisps, tacos, tortilla's n breads mostly works for me. I started this woe in houston n was taken out to tex mex multiple times. Sure, a bit odd that I put the gaucomole on my plate then ate it without the taco chip. I came back 2kg lighter, my colleagues put on 2-3 kilo in same 2 weeks we were in Houston. Lots of food n no exercise.0
-
I ate a lot of great fish in Costa Rica0
-
Back when I was single I went to Costa Rica and fell in love with the rainforest. It's funny I don't remember the food that much, BUT I do remember all the fun we had, zipp lining, horse back riding, hiking, mud bathes all in the rainforest. Black beans, white rice and fried bananas were usually served. But so were veggies and meat! Have fun and enjoy it!0
-
wanderinjack wrote: »I ate a lot of great fish in Costa Rica
This is what I am hoping for.... lots of baked or broiled fish.
0 -
Timely topic for me. But my trip is more tame. Car travel to Florida. So fast food for 3 days and eating out when there.
I am thinking of Subway without the bun but I think they have sugar in their meats. I was thinking about burger places with salads and just the meat but they do add many things to their salads and their meat? Humm. And southern fried foods? I have been surprised more than once. Fried tomatoes for breakfast in Canada, at least where I am from, are simply that, fried tomatoes. I ordered that in the states once and it became something else entirely!
DH is diabetic so this isn't a choice for us. We have to get it right. I guess grocery store stops are in order. Suggestions as to the best selections at chain fast foods? Or is the advice, just don't. Thanks!0 -
I would be packing a big cooler for the travel portion filled with all sorts of yummy food that is good for you! In addition to the food being LC it is also so much cheaper than eating in fast food restaurants!0
-
I would be packing a big cooler for the travel portion filled with all sorts of yummy food that is good for you! In addition to the food being LC it is also so much cheaper than eating in fast food restaurants!
bring a cooler to Costa Rica? I'm not worried at all about the travel part. It's the daily menu for 10 days that has me concerned.
We are headed to a lightly populated area. I don't even know how close the closest stores are.
0 -
dasher602014 wrote: »DH is diabetic so this isn't a choice for us. We have to get it right. I guess grocery store stops are in order.
My father is diabetic. I have gone cross country twice with my parents. Both times we had a cooler and filled it with some meats, veggies, some fruit. Every couple of days we would stop by a Walmart and fill up the cooler and other foodstuff my father could eat. Every once in awhile we would stop at a fast food restaurant to treat ourselves but mostly ate whatever we packed. Lost a few pounds on those trips, especially since my father would not allow me sugar with my coffee. Now I am used to just drinking coffee with cream only.
0 -
I have done it both ways. On my honeymoon, I ended up eating off my normal plan. It was ugly. I felt terrible and my health issues came back quickly. The last time you want to feel miserable and spend a lot of time in the bathroom is when you're on vacation.
After that, I keep the mindset that this isn't a diet. This is the way I eat. It would take an extreme circumstance, like there being absolutely no other choice and I haven't been able to find food for a couple days, for me to eat off plan. Falling off the wagon, recently, convinced me of that even more strongly. When I eat off plan, it hurts me and the effects last for much longer than the period of time I was off plan.0 -
wanderinjack wrote: »I ate a lot of great fish in Costa Rica
This is what I am hoping for.... lots of baked or broiled fish.
A lot of grilled ahi
0 -
I have done it both ways. On my honeymoon, I ended up eating off my normal plan. It was ugly. I felt terrible and my health issues came back quickly. The last time you want to feel miserable and spend a lot of time in the bathroom is when you're on vacation.
After that, I keep the mindset that this isn't a diet. This is the way I eat. It would take an extreme circumstance, like there being absolutely no other choice and I haven't been able to find food for a couple days, for me to eat off plan. Falling off the wagon, recently, convinced me of that even more strongly. When I eat off plan, it hurts me and the effects last for much longer than the period of time I was off plan.
Love love love this post.0 -
We have a Mediterrian Cruise planned for June. I'm not worried on the cruise ship as there are many choices. I am worried about being in Spain for 2 days before the cruise and a couple meals that we will be eating in Italy. We will be walking more than ever but don't want to have that bloated, sick feeling. Any suggestions on how to eat a low carb italian meal??0
-
I would be packing a big cooler for the travel portion filled with all sorts of yummy food that is good for you! In addition to the food being LC it is also so much cheaper than eating in fast food restaurants!
In May I will spend 2 weeks in Bonaire, in the Southern Caribbean. We will stay in an apartment on the water and we will scuba dive our faces off. But I digress. ....
We have a kitchen. I will freeze 50lbs or so of steak, chicken, etc. and bring it with is. (Meat is stupid expensive.) We will shop at the local grocery stores for cheese, cream, yogurt, tuna, eggs, veggies. When we eat out a place called The Rib Factory is #1 on the agenda. (The ribs and tenderloin steak skewers are to die for!)
I will be happy, not hungry,, in ketosis, fueled with fat for energy and the sun for vitamin D. And when I get home I won't be bemoaning how sucky I feel and guilty for "going off plan" / "falling off the wagon" for the holidays / vacation / family reunion / whatever and screwing around with trying to get keto adapted again.
How does that sound?
Once one figures out that what I just described is WAY BETTER than pizza, ice cream, spaghetti, candy, or whatever other carbage one could stuff in one's pie hole then one is well on the way to making this a lifestyle!
(Edit - change phrase "pie hole" to "steak hole"!!!!!)0 -
Plenty of small supermarkets n "continental delis" in europe where you can buy fresh cold cut meats and cheese. Combine for lunch n cheaper than buying at a restaurant. If you want advanced knowledge of restaurant options:
A quick search for restaurants in cities can lead to their menu (google usuaĺly translates) or more general sites like:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g187791-Rome_Lazio.html
Leading to yummy looking sandwiches (skip roll) at some places and meat at:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d7078944-Reviews-Italy_Food_Ristorante-Rome_Lazio.html
Happy travels to each of you. Lots of options but I need to remind myself to look patiently and carry an emergency handfull of almonds
0 -
We have a Mediterrian Cruise planned for June. I'm not worried on the cruise ship as there are many choices. I am worried about being in Spain for 2 days before the cruise and a couple meals that we will be eating in Italy. We will be walking more than ever but don't want to have that bloated, sick feeling. Any suggestions on how to eat a low carb italian meal??
Yeah, enjoy sausage and the sauce, and skip the pasta and bread. I do that every time I am in an Italian restaurant.0 -
I haven't been to Costa Rica however, everywhere I've traveled responds well to ***steak & veggies..no starch, no sugar ...no flour.
Yes, have this written out on a card in perfect Spanish and learn to say it along with very good "please" and "thank you." (***pork, fish, chicken).
You will do fine and will find it easy to get what keeps you healthy--fresh salads etc.0 -
I haven't been to Costa Rica however, everywhere I've traveled responds well to ***steak & veggies..no starch, no sugar ...no flour.
Yes, have this written out on a card in perfect Spanish and learn to say it along with very good "please" and "thank you." (***pork, fish, chicken).
You will do fine and will find it easy to get what keeps you healthy--fresh salads etc.
My daughter speaks Spanish. 0 -
Thanks guys. You confirmed what I "knew". For my own trip "south of the border", we will be carrying an empty cooler (open) through customs and then a stop in Watertown, NY to fill it up.
(-21C here today - looking forward to some warmth!)
Happy mid winter to all.0
This discussion has been closed.