Handling food when your away from home

laurenebargar

Im going to be staying at my parents house from Thursday - Saturday due to a death in the family. Knowing that my parents are going to have a house full I know dinners will be "easy" meals like pizza, etc and with all the stress they are under I can expect them to be able to get separate meals just for myself. I am already planning on bringing my own snacks, but its a several hour drive with limited room so I cannot pack my own meals for all of these days. Any suggestions on what I can, and how I can not get off track?

Libby283

Fit it into your daily limit. I will eat pizza. I stop at one slice and log it. I would probably pack my yeti cooler with things like salad, greek yogurt, fresh veggies, along with a bag of healthy non refrigerated snacks.

StarvingDiva

I think definitely you can eat decent while you aren't preparing stuff. If pizza is ordered and you don't feel comfortable asking if you can order a salad, or chicken (lets face it most pizza places have other things that can be ordered) than make room in your day for a slice of pizza. Often times if I eat something that somebody else made, I try to err on the side of "higher" calories for the item, so I will go through the database and usually pick something higher calorie because I didn't have my hand in making it. You will be okay and sorry to hear about the loss in your family.

laurenebargar

StarvingDiva wrote: »

I think definitely you can eat decent while you aren't preparing stuff. If pizza is ordered and you don't feel comfortable asking if you can order a salad, or chicken (lets face it most pizza places have other things that can be ordered) than make room in your day for a slice of pizza. Often times if I eat something that somebody else made, I try to err on the side of "higher" calories for the item, so I will go through the database and usually pick something higher calorie because I didn't have my hand in making it. You will be okay and sorry to hear about the loss in your family.

Its not that im not comfortable asking my parents to order something else, It is just my understanding that they have already prepared everything (ordering pizza in advance, sub platters etc) and I dont want to add any stress to my parents. I too log the higher calorie item I can find!

laurenebargar

Libby283 wrote: »

Fit it into your daily limit. I will eat pizza. I stop at one slice and log it. I would probably pack my yeti cooler with things like salad, greek yogurt, fresh veggies, along with a bag of healthy non refrigerated snacks.

I know, I too have fit pizza into my limit but if I do that, I always make sure the next few days im right back on track, Im just concerned about eating not the healthiest foods more than one day in a row.

stv1520

Did I read correctly that you're driving? There's gotta be some grocery stores around where you can shop for some healthy foods you like, and not have to eat everything at your folks house.

StarvingDiva

Oh okay sorry I misunderstood. Okay so if you don't want a lot of carbs, you can always eat the sandwich meat without the bread, or if they are like those little mini sandwiches you could eat one with the bread and just the filling of the other. But just remember food is food, don't attribute feelings to it, or you have more chance of overdoing it when you do. Like you eat a slice of pizza and then you berate yourself for eating pizza so you say oh well I already blew it. Just do the best you can and once you are back in control of what you make and eat, you will be fine, prime example, Easter Sunday, I ate spanakopita and lamb and rice pilaf, that I didn't prepare, I erred on the higher end of calories, and I was up about a lb on Monday, but right back at it with me prepping food and I'm back where I was before and even less. Lets face it going off your normal meal plan for one or two days, is not going to truly make you gain lbs of fat, once back at the normal grind you will lose anything that may have slightly jumped you.

laurenebargar

stv1520 wrote: »

Did I read correctly that you're driving? There's gotta be some grocery stores around where you can shop for some healthy foods you like, and not have to eat everything at your folks house.

Yes that is an option however I am trying to limit the time I am away from my parents house, my mom is in a wheelchair, and its my fathers father who passed away, so he will be busy and I have to bring my dog with me so I dont want to give them the added stress of having to watch the dog, even if its only an hour. But I am probably over thinking all of this, just trying to be prepared and getting worried I will undo the progress I have made so far.

laurenebargar

StarvingDiva wrote: »

Oh okay sorry I misunderstood. Okay so if you don't want a lot of carbs, you can always eat the sandwich meat without the bread, or if they are like those little mini sandwiches you could eat one with the bread and just the filling of the other. But just remember food is food, don't attribute feelings to it, or you have more chance of overdoing it when you do. Like you eat a slice of pizza and then you berate yourself for eating pizza so you say oh well I already blew it. Just do the best you can and once you are back in control of what you make and eat, you will be fine, prime example, Easter Sunday, I ate spanakopita and lamb and rice pilaf, that I didn't prepare, I erred on the higher end of calories, and I was up about a lb on Monday, but right back at it with me prepping food and I'm back where I was before and even less. Lets face it going off your normal meal plan for one or two days, is not going to truly make you gain lbs of fat, once back at the normal grind you will lose anything that may have slightly jumped you.

I think thats great advice, and I agree that I cant attribute feelings to food, I can see myself doing that when I know its not true, there isnt any food that I can never have again, just foods I should eat in moderation.

StarvingDiva

Exactly you got this!

French_Peasant

With a death in the family, it might be a thoughtful gesture on your part to help out your parents and contribute some food as well. And coincidentally, that food can be very healthy and a nice supplement to pizza and subs, such as a really beautiful fruit basket, a vegetable platter, shrimp platter, or a really nice pan of salad from a local restaurant, with the dressing and such on the side so it can be mixed when it is needed.

If it is a dinner being catered by a funeral parlor or a church, or if you don't feel like you can make the contributive gesture, just plan to eat at maintenance or even a little over, make the best choices that you can, log to the extent you can, and don't stress about it too much. You can also invite family member to go out for some good walks and such, a really nice way to burn calories and spend time with people you might not see too often.

Right now the most important thing is spending time with your family. If you're still keeping at least a loose rein on things, it's hard to do too much damage in three days. (I am assuming that you are not going to be inclined to binge, which is where the serious trouble would start).

I am sorry for your loss, and good luck with the weekend.

laurenebargar

French_Peasant wrote: »

With a death in the family, it might be a thoughtful gesture on your part to help out your parents and contribute some food as well. And coincidentally, that food can be very healthy and a nice supplement to pizza and subs, such as a really beautiful fruit basket, a vegetable platter, shrimp platter, or a really nice pan of salad from a local restaurant, with the dressing and such on the side so it can be mixed when it is needed.

If it is a dinner being catered by a funeral parlor or a church, or if you don't feel like you can make the contributive gesture, just plan to eat at maintenance or even a little over, make the best choices that you can, log to the extent you can, and don't stress about it too much. You can also invite family member to go out for some good walks and such, a really nice way to burn calories and spend time with people you might not see too often.

Right now the most important thing is spending time with your family. If you're still keeping at least a loose rein on things, it's hard to do too much damage in three days. (I am assuming that you are not going to be inclined to binge, which is where the serious trouble would start).

I am sorry for your loss, and good luck with the weekend.

Thank you, its really appreciated, and no I dont think I will binge, I have been staying in my calorie limit daily and slowly cutting things out, such as soda and juice, Im still working on perfecting my diet, but I have been eating foods I was previously too, so I dont feel deprived of anything at this point. I did order a fruit and veggie tray from wegmans (like I said long drive lol)

LadyLilion

laurenebargar wrote: »

stv1520 wrote: »

Did I read correctly that you're driving? There's gotta be some grocery stores around where you can shop for some healthy foods you like, and not have to eat everything at your folks house.

Yes that is an option however I am trying to limit the time I am away from my parents house, my mom is in a wheelchair, and its my fathers father who passed away, so he will be busy and I have to bring my dog with me so I dont want to give them the added stress of having to watch the dog, even if its only an hour. But I am probably over thinking all of this, just trying to be prepared and getting worried I will undo the progress I have made so far.

I think the shopping suggestion is fantastic. Literally, pick up a big bag of pre-made salad and other veggies, the salad dressing you use, etc. Before you leave your own house, pack a cooler with such items. Then you won't have to run out and shop all the time, but you have some things already prepared or ready to make.

For that matter, some grocery stores deliver. See if there is one in their town that does so. In mine, Hy-Vee delivers with a $25 minimum purchase. You could offer to make dinner one night.

cross2bear

My suggestion was rather than incur the expense of getting the pizzas and other ordered in stuff, get groceries and cook for yourself and your parents. It would probably be more cost effective, and you can control what you make. Cooking for your folks would be much appreciated, I am sure.

StarvingDiva

cross2bear wrote: »

My suggestion was rather than incur the expense of getting the pizzas and other ordered in stuff, get groceries and cook for yourself and your parents. It would probably be more cost effective, and you can control what you make. Cooking for your folks would be much appreciated, I am sure.

She stated up above her parents have already preordered

laurenebargar

cross2bear wrote: »

My suggestion was rather than incur the expense of getting the pizzas and other ordered in stuff, get groceries and cook for yourself and your parents. It would probably be more cost effective, and you can control what you make. Cooking for your folks would be much appreciated, I am sure.

As much as I would love to cook for my parents, and it would be an appreciated gesture, my parents have invited the entire family over for this funeral and to stay with them, this can be anywhere from 15-30 people (not all who are staying, but a majority are from out of town and will at least come over for meals) , I think my parents are trying to avoid cooking to keep the house clean, with all of the house guests.

annacole94

Stop on the way into town and just grab some simple veggies to eat on the side. Either a pre-prepared tray, or a big bag of baby carrots, a big bag of precut broccoli, and a big bag of snap peas. Grab some hummus. Share with the others.

It's a short time; do your best and fix it later. Family first.

inertiastrength

Go grocery shopping for lighter snacks and either work in the pizza or grab some better takeout (Wendy's chili?)

laurenebargar

fascha wrote: »

Go grocery shopping for lighter snacks and either work in the pizza or grab some better takeout (Wendy's chili?)

I dont eat fast food it is very rare that I will eat fast food, even pizza for that matter, I have to be at someones house or stuck at an airport to normally get fast food. however I do sometimes go to lunch with coworkers and get something small, I just over estimate the calories. I have snacks ready to go, Maybe ill see if I can pick up stuff for a salad and work in a piece of pizza and then stick with salad.

laurenebargar

annacole94 wrote: »

Stop on the way into town and just grab some simple veggies to eat on the side. Either a pre-prepared tray, or a big bag of baby carrots, a big bag of precut broccoli, and a big bag of snap peas. Grab some hummus. Share with the others.

It's a short time; do your best and fix it later. Family first.

I think thats a great idea, I think ill pick up stuff to make a salad everyone can have, that way I can have a piece of pizza and then stick with salad, I agree family first, thank you for your reply!