3 Weeks in Jamaica, What to Eat?!

canadjineh

So many no-no's, green bananas, plantains, bammies, taro dumplings, roast yam, rice & peas, most jerk seasonings which have lots of sugar, etc....
HELP! Any ideas...??
Trip starts Dec 1/2016 Montego Bay, Negril, Treasure Beach all at private local hotels/guesthouses, so lots of street food. I also must be Gluten Free so no leeway on the flour situation.

Bubba1922

Could you just not forget about LC for three weeks and focus on fresh fish, vegetables and anything else in small portions?

I did this whist I visited my grandchildren in California for a month and ended up putting only 1 lb - which was fine for me. I am going to Florida for three weeks next month and will do the same. Food plays such a big part in my vacations. I will have the other 10 months to fine tuning my low carb way of eating.

hmcarlt

I had the same dilemma last year when I went to the Turks and Caicos for a week. I didn't stress about staying within my macros but I made sure not to binge on a bunch of processed carbs. I ate a lot of fatty fish and veggies and some fresh fruit a couple days. I didn't track my calories on this trip but I probably stayed around 75 net carbs. Yikes, I know! But don't worry, just enjoy your trip and get back on track when you get back.

canadjineh

Thanks guys.... I may just have to do it that way. I'm a bit stressed because right now I have been IF 15:9 ish for a week and trying to take MCT oil and I have gained 5 lbs. I don't have the leeway in my clothes for this... and I'm a bit worried as I was already a bit past my scream weight when I started the IF & MCT. Talk me off the ledge please! I hope I can find some good simple veggies (that's how I normally eat anyhow) but Jamaica is such a starch heavy food culture. I guess one positive is they go for plump booty over there, lol. I may come home with more booty than I left with.

Bubba1922

From memory, ladies in the Caribbean come in two types - the young and bodies to die for and the not so young with voluptuous to very voluptous bodies. You and me probably fit in the last category. Just walk on the beach and roll those hips with confidence and learn how to wrap your sarong or wrap 30 different ways.

Until my vacation in Florida starting on 12 November I have stopped taking MCT oil as I am sure it impaired my weightloss and I am sticking to 60 gms of carbs a day. I will go back to MCT oil once I have lost more weight. You still have got time to lose a few pounds - do not stress, take one day at a time - in 4.5 months I have binged (not proud of it) and still eat bread (low gluten) and chocolate (I am Belgian) but I still lost 30 lbs. Some days I have managed to incorporate my bread and choc carbs in my carbs allowance. Do not be a perfectionist with your diet - it can only bring stress and guilt feelings and you where these feelings lead to.

Enjoy your vacation - it is such an amazing place to go to!

Sarahb29

Do the best you can to stay on track, sometimes they have roast ham/beef or some sort of meat dishes on resorts like that at night, but breakfast in my experience in the Dominican was mostly carbey bagels, rolls, croissants, fruit and oatmeal. You might have to fast through breakfast and eat at lunch/dinner when they offer more meat options. There was a dude walking around selling whole coconuts, milk and all, if I went back I'd totally buy one lol.

Is there a number that you can call so you can ask what they offer with each meal?

kpk54

I found fish and vegetables aplenty when in Jamaica.

We didn't see a dude walking around selling coconuts but we saw several walking around selling... Ahhhh Jamaica, Mon. The island that "lights up" at night. We didn't partake but it was everywhere. My husband and I must give off "the vibe". We were approached as soon as we stepped outside the airport terminal.

canadjineh

From what I understand @kpk54, most visitors are approached pretty quickly, lol. I've never smoked anything, the idea of it yuks me out. I can't take campfire smoke in my lungs, nevermind holding other burning weed smoke in for as long as possible hahah. @Sarahb29, we aren't in resorts, not our style, we just stay in locally owned small hotels or at guesthouses, pensiones, gites, etc - called different things depending on the country. So that means we go out for all our meals or if there is a cooking facility onsite, we grocery shop. Usually our first couple days is getting the lay of the land, finding out where the grocery/markets are, and restaurants popular with the locals. And yes we eat street food, even in Asia, lol with no 'traveller tummy' problem for the past 44 yrs (I first went overseas when I was 8).

Thanks, @Bubba1922.... I am taking a few sarongs, lol. I have a wowza cream crocheted dress from Cuba that I haven't really worn yet, I may just screw up the courage and wear it to a music venue for dancehall. But only 'conscious dancehall', as I am NOT a 'rude girl' (at least not in public).

KarlaYP

I was there this past spring and found it pretty easy to stay on plan. We were at a resort though. Poached eggs were awesome with bacon, meats and veggies otherwise. Other than the alcohol consumption I only came home with the "traveling gain" of four pounds.

We were in Montego Bay and heard that Negril was beautiful, but was a $180,00 trip to get there for us, but wasn't in the budget. Will be returning!

Yes, you will be approached by many people who will offer to provide anything you might want. The reply of "no thanks" was well received by them. I didn't find them to be pushy. There are many who go down just for that, so they know they will be able to help many others.

Have a great time!

RalfLott

@canadjineh -

Penicillin?

canadjineh

RalfLott wrote: »

@canadjineh -

Penicillin?

In reference to street food, or rude girls? mwahahaha!

BaconSan2

Eat as healthy as you can but don't stress. I still regret going to New Orleans during my vegetarian phase - I knew I was missing out on many good meals even then.