Dont know what to eat? Traveling constantly

blastwvangel
blastwvangel Posts: 65 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Please help. I dont know what to eat to lose weight. I used to when we stayed in one place but now Im in a hotel room or truck all the time. MY husband travels for work.
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Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    It's not about what you eat, it's about how much.
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    edited October 2016
    ^^This. Keep eating what you normally eat but maybe smaller portions or lower calorie versions. If say you eat a lot of cheeseburgers take the top bun off to lower the calorie count, choose a salad once in a while instead of fries. Save half for dinner.

    List some things you normally eat on the road and maybe we can help you come up with lower calorie versions.

    Grocery shop when you are home or near a grocery store and pack an extra suitcase:).
  • janekana
    janekana Posts: 151 Member
    What do you usually buy when you travel? If you go to supermarkets, there should be pre-packaged food that you can just heat up in the microwave. Not exactly healthy, but you have a ballpark of how much calories it is.
  • blastwvangel
    blastwvangel Posts: 65 Member
    Usually i eat out. I crave the high fat high sugar foods. Some examples. . A 4 finger chicken finger plate from zaxbys with doubles french fries and extra texas toast with a large sweet tea. Captain ds 3 piece fish dinner double fries and large sweet tea. TRiple cheeseburger and large fries with large sweet tea from McDonald's. Taco bell nachos, mini shredded chicken quesdilla, bean burrito and large sweet tea. If i get something from grocery store its processed microwave dinners like hungry man.
    Sometimes i will eat fruit with a natural peanut butter sandwich with health nut bread. BUt then it seems like im starving. If i eat breakfast its a sausage biscuit and 2 hashbrowns.

    We dont have a home anymore. WE travel like this all the time.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited October 2016
    I used to live in my car.. not literally, but traveled either where I was driving to and from on the same day or traveling for overnight stays in hotels, I work for a pharmacy software developer and spend a lot of time in hospitals.. so the cafeteria food is what I lived on for a while, and even though it is bland tasting there are decent choices to make.. with that said, being choosy at any menu is a must.

    Now assuring you are eating enough and not eating too much is a little challenging.. But when you eat out, always know the grilled this or the green salad that is on the menu is not always the healthy alternative.

    When living in the car per se, pack coolers and warming travel bags. Pack these before you hit the road. Use hotel microwaves, shop at the local grocery stores.. This makes counting calories easier, but the eating out is what will get you some times.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Do you have access to a microwave? Then get Michelina's and Steamers meals.

    For convenience store snacks I look for snacks that have some protein in them. This could be single serve cheddar, Muscle Milk, a yogurt cup or a protein bar cut in half.

    Or I buy packaged air like white cheddar popcorn.

    When eating out, eat half. Many restaurants serve double size servings. You don't need that much. Half is easier to log, too. Pick a half salad with dressing on the side instead of fries. Skip the gravy. Toast dry with butter on the side. You decide how much goes on.

    I find the "fruit" at convenience stores to be disgusting. Look instead for complimentary fruit at a mid-scale motel or pick up fresh from a roadside fruit stand. Frozen could be nice, too. Let it defrost during the trip and have it as a snack when you arrive.
  • cardiacmommy
    cardiacmommy Posts: 52 Member
    What cooking methods do you have available? Is a blender an option? The meals you listed eating out are all very very high calorie. It is good you are reevaluating options. Some options that require minimal cooking would be home made sandwiches, fruit, cut up veggies, wraps. If you can warm things beans are good and filling. Boiled eggs.
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    So this is what I would do...

    Chicken fingers, single fries, unsweetened tea (buy a low calorie sweeter when you do pass a grocery store to keep in your purse to sweeten your own tea or ask for honey which is what i use to sweeten my coffee) - skip the texas toast this time but next time skip fries and have toast.

    Mcdonalds also has their nutrients available online so fit your favorites in your calorie budget. Remove a top bun to help lower the calories.

    Taco Bell has their nutrients available online so fit your favorites into your calorie budget.

    These are your favorites so keep them in rotation but try adding some lower calorie options.

    I would also buy like the leaner frozen meals instead of hungry man.


    Anyway these are just some ideas if you want to continue eating your favorites.



    These are things that keep me full (maybe others have ideas too)

    full fat, fiber - add a salad, protein and drinking plenty of water.

    Hope this helps some.


  • blastwvangel
    blastwvangel Posts: 65 Member
    I do most of the time have access to a microwave. I used to drink protein mix with lowfat milk. Is that something to consider again?
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 902 Member
    Try to research ahead of time to the areas you are going to, to see what healthy options they have. Find out where the local grocery store is, get fruit for snacks.
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    blastwvangel wrote: »
    I do most of the time have access to a microwave. I used to drink protein mix with lowfat milk. Is that something to consider again?

    If you find it helps you feel fuller and keep to your calorie goals.
  • cardiacmommy
    cardiacmommy Posts: 52 Member
    Sweet tea will pile on weight quickly. Can you keep some bottled water available at all times? If you can commit to just breaking that one habit to start withwill help a lot. It is possible but you really have to think about it and mentally accept giving it up.
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    cardiacmommy wrote: »
    Sweet tea will pile on weight quickly. Can you keep some bottled water available at all times? If you can commit to just breaking that one habit to start withwill help a lot. It is possible but you really have to think about it and mentally accept giving it up.

    This is a good point. Or if you can't give it up completely have it at only one meal.
  • blastwvangel
    blastwvangel Posts: 65 Member
    Unfortunately i cant research where we are going. I usually find out the day we leave where the next job is.
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 902 Member
    edited October 2016
    Why can you not search it on the way?
    edit; Do either of you have smartphones?
  • blastwvangel
    blastwvangel Posts: 65 Member
    Im driving thats why
  • cardiacmommy
    cardiacmommy Posts: 52 Member
    edited October 2016
    I would write out some meal ideas and grocery shop 1-2x a week depending on your cold storage options . Anything you buy from store is almost guaranteed to be way healthier and lower cal than fast food. Deli meat might be good and fresh produce.
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 902 Member
    blastwvangel wrote: »
    Im driving thats why

    Then have him do it. It literally takes 5min. Do it while stopping for gas. "grocery (city) (state)".
  • mysticlizard
    mysticlizard Posts: 896 Member
    Are you an OTR truck driver?
  • blastwvangel
    blastwvangel Posts: 65 Member
    My husband paints water towers. WHile im driving to next job he is sleeping because hes already worked all day. We stay in a motel until time to go to next job.
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 902 Member
    edited October 2016
    blastwvangel wrote: »
    My husband paints water towers. WHile im driving to next job he is sleeping because hes already worked all day. We stay in a motel until time to go to next job.

    Then do it when you stop for gas or before you get on the road for the drive. Do it when you arrive.

    It literally takes a few minutes, and barely any effort. If you want to do something, you need to find at least a little effort to do it.

    edit;
    For example, the time it took me to type this response, I could've googled for the nearest grocery store.
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    blastwvangel wrote: »
    Unfortunately i cant research where we are going. I usually find out the day we leave where the next job is.

    You must pass a grocery store or Wal-Mart on the way eventually right?

    I think you have a lot of good suggestions folks here have giving you, you have to take it and run with it now.

    Make it your personal challenge to find/select and eat within your calorie budget and keep us updated.
  • blastwvangel
    blastwvangel Posts: 65 Member
    PixelPuff wrote: »
    blastwvangel wrote: »
    Im driving thats why

    Then have him do it. It literally takes 5min. Do it while stopping for gas. "grocery (city) (state)".

    I dont mean to be smart and i appreciate the help. BUt as im driving my husband is sleeping since he just worked all day.
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 902 Member
    blastwvangel wrote: »
    PixelPuff wrote: »
    blastwvangel wrote: »
    Im driving thats why

    Then have him do it. It literally takes 5min. Do it while stopping for gas. "grocery (city) (state)".

    I dont mean to be smart and i appreciate the help. BUt as im driving my husband is sleeping since he just worked all day.

    I understand that you are driving. I'm just stating your time isn't booked 24/7. There will always be time for a quick 2-3min google search on a smart phone. You need to remember that only YOU can do this if you really want to. You need to not make excuses, which is what it is starting to come across as.
  • blastwvangel
    blastwvangel Posts: 65 Member
    I appreciate the helpful comments. I dont like the fact that I feel im being attacked. I know im responsible for myself obviously but I was trying to get help not made to feel like a failure because im not thinking about this 24/7
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 902 Member
    edited October 2016
    I'm not attacking you, though? I've not insulted you once. I'm trying to drive home to you that you need to make the time. I've even given many examples of when you can make the time with each issue you bring up.

    Remember that we've all gone through this. Don't take it as attacking, take it as the advice you are asking for. Saying to be accountable isn't an attack.
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    It's not about what you eat, it's about how much.

    This poster said everything. You don't need a grocery store or anything else just this ^^^.

    Eat your same foods you always eat just less or lower the calories but getting smaller portions etc.

    best!
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    blastwvangel wrote: »
    I appreciate the helpful comments. I dont like the fact that I feel im being attacked. I know im responsible for myself obviously but I was trying to get help not made to feel like a failure because im not thinking about this 24/7

    I'm so sorry you feel attacked - I think we are sincerely trying to help you as you asked.

    As a total side point - I live breath my weight loss 24/7 because I want to be prepared but mostly successful, but this is just me.
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 902 Member
    edited October 2016
    johunt615 wrote: »
    blastwvangel wrote: »
    I appreciate the helpful comments. I dont like the fact that I feel im being attacked. I know im responsible for myself obviously but I was trying to get help not made to feel like a failure because im not thinking about this 24/7

    I'm so sorry you feel attacked - I think we are sincerely trying to help you as you asked.

    As a total side point - I live breath my weight loss 24/7 because I want to be prepared but mostly successful, but this is just me.

    Yep. >___<

    I've already finished my weight loss, I pretty much just come on MFP to stay up to date and dole out advice to those who ask for it. Lost over 100lbs.
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    PixelPuff wrote: »
    johunt615 wrote: »
    blastwvangel wrote: »
    I appreciate the helpful comments. I dont like the fact that I feel im being attacked. I know im responsible for myself obviously but I was trying to get help not made to feel like a failure because im not thinking about this 24/7

    I'm so sorry you feel attacked - I think we are sincerely trying to help you as you asked.

    As a total side point - I live breath my weight loss 24/7 because I want to be prepared but mostly successful, but this is just me.

    Yep. >___<

    I've already finished my weight loss, I pretty much just come on MFP to stay up to date and dole out advice to those who ask for it. Lost over 100lbs.

    Congrats on your loss, thats awesome!

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