Travel/Special Occasion strategies
MicheleStitches
Posts: 306 Member
Hey ya'll! I am pretty new to this group, and I would appreciate the benefit of your experience. I have been following Keto protocols for almost 3 weeks now and feel pretty good -- over the withdrawals, no more cravings, and down 4-5 lbs.
So here is the deal...I am going to be away from home for 6 days travelling cross country from WY to NC to attend my son's wedding and all the accompanying festivities. This means meals where I have no control over the menus (bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, etc) plus the addition of celebratory drinks, etc. I am trying to plan ahead how to best handle this. I do NOT want to be drawing a lot of attention to myself and my "strange diet." I see a few options:
1) Throw caution to the wind and go wild, eating and drinking whatever is offered. This IS a celebration, right? Of course this means probably coming home right back where I started, up 5 lbs., frustrated, discouraged, and disgusted with myself.
2) Do the very best I can with whatever choices I am offered, staying away from breads, croutons, sugary treats, etc. but cutting myself a little dietary slack and not stressing it.
3). Fast...a lot!
Stay strictly on plan, even if that means quietly not eating what is offered.
How do you guys handle these type of situations when you are away from home and at parties, celebratory dinners, etc.? It would be easier if I were in my home environment-- I could eat healthy before each event, but in this scenario, I will be in a hotel room. Heck! I don't even know what happens when you go off plan? I don't want to make myself feel sick by flooding my system with carbs (can that happen?)
Any experience and/or advice is much appreciated!
So here is the deal...I am going to be away from home for 6 days travelling cross country from WY to NC to attend my son's wedding and all the accompanying festivities. This means meals where I have no control over the menus (bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, etc) plus the addition of celebratory drinks, etc. I am trying to plan ahead how to best handle this. I do NOT want to be drawing a lot of attention to myself and my "strange diet." I see a few options:
1) Throw caution to the wind and go wild, eating and drinking whatever is offered. This IS a celebration, right? Of course this means probably coming home right back where I started, up 5 lbs., frustrated, discouraged, and disgusted with myself.
2) Do the very best I can with whatever choices I am offered, staying away from breads, croutons, sugary treats, etc. but cutting myself a little dietary slack and not stressing it.
3). Fast...a lot!
Stay strictly on plan, even if that means quietly not eating what is offered.How do you guys handle these type of situations when you are away from home and at parties, celebratory dinners, etc.? It would be easier if I were in my home environment-- I could eat healthy before each event, but in this scenario, I will be in a hotel room. Heck! I don't even know what happens when you go off plan? I don't want to make myself feel sick by flooding my system with carbs (can that happen?)
Any experience and/or advice is much appreciated!
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Replies
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MicheleStitches wrote: »Hey ya'll! I am pretty new to this group, and I would appreciate the benefit of your experience. I have been following Keto protocols for almost 3 weeks now and feel pretty good -- over the withdrawals, no more cravings, and down 4-5 lbs.
So here is the deal...I am going to be away from home for 6 days travelling cross country from WY to NC to attend my son's wedding and all the accompanying festivities. This means meals where I have no control over the menus (bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, etc) plus the addition of celebratory drinks, etc. I am trying to plan ahead how to best handle this. I do NOT want to be drawing a lot of attention to myself and my "strange diet." I see a few options:
1) Throw caution to the wind and go wild, eating and drinking whatever is offered. This IS a celebration, right? Of course this means probably coming home right back where I started, up 5 lbs., frustrated, discouraged, and disgusted with myself.
2) Do the very best I can with whatever choices I am offered, staying away from breads, croutons, sugary treats, etc. but cutting myself a little dietary slack and not stressing it.
3). Fast...a lot! Stay strictly on plan, even if that means quietly not eating what is offered.
How do you guys handle these type of situations when you are away from home and at parties, celebratory dinners, etc.? It would be easier if I were in my home environment-- I could eat healthy before each event, but in this scenario, I will be in a hotel room. Heck! I don't even know what happens when you go off plan? I don't want to make myself feel sick by flooding my system with carbs (can that happen?)
Any experience and/or advice is much appreciated!
I say option 2. if the meal is steak, mashed potatoes, and greens just eat the steak and greens. Most dishes will have a main with a few sides - stay away from breaded main dishes and bread/pasta based ones and just enjoy the yummy food. Don't worry about things like sauces which may have some carbs/sugar. Also, it's your son's wedding! Honestly, if you have a piece of cake that's not the end of the world. Try to fit in some exercise. If you do gain 5 pounds, a lot of it will be water and you'll shed it fairly quickly2 -
Definately not #1. The wedding is great reason to celebrate. Hopefully life will always bring you reason to celebrate so you will want to learn how to do that via #2.
This is exactly my mode of operation for the reasons you mention. I manage my home meals and am flexible otherwise. I'm not in a hotel room often but the last time I was I managed with decaf with half and half, a couple boiled eggs and some cream cheese from their breakfast buffet. I skipped lunch and went a little hungry to the evening festivity and CHOSE to not over indulge. Weight loss comes down to calories. Keto just adds different dimension.
I too, am one who does not like to bring attention to how/what I eat. It's OK to get a little piece of your son's wedding cake and not eat every single bite. And no one ever notices (or comments) that I have a diet cola or diet fizzy tonic in hand. Add a lime twist and they'll think it is an alcoholic beverage. I've not indulged in adult libations for a few years. When someone casually asks what I'm drinking, I respond, tonic and lime. If a further comment is made, I just smile and respond that I like to pace myself.
Personally, I've never gotten ill for going a little off plan. When I've had major slips with sweet junk, I became lethargic/sluggish. Why would you want to risk that? Enjoy NC! I live in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area. Go Duke!2 -
What's with MFP not allowing edits (again) on the web version?
My only important edit to my post above: If you enjoy alcoholic beverages, there's no reason to skip The Champagne Toast!2 -
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I travel a fair amount, and find I do best when I plan for a meal or two a day to be strictly on-plan, or lower carb than normal if I know I'll encounter a meal with higher carbs later. It's easy to plan a hotel-room breakfast, although it might look more like a packed lunch than a usual breakfast. Lots of gas stations and grocery store delis have low-carb options if you look, so it's not too hard to find grab-and-go options you keep in the hotel.
At the wedding meals, focus on the protein options and eat those first, then the low-carb sides/ veggies that for your plan. If it's served buffet style, take an extra serving of the protein if you need. You can always be "too full" for the starchy side dishes. Pre-log the meals if you can, at least an estimate if you know the menu. Don't forget to log the cooking oils, sauces, etc. estimate the best you can.
If you're going to have cake and drinks, plan for them ahead of time. Pre-log then into MFP, and be honest about how much you'll have. Plan for more than you think if you're worried about it.
Give your weight 3-5 days to balance out once you get home. Just traveling causes a weight shift for me, not sure if it's an altitude thing, or more sitting than usual.
If traveling and eating out is a common thing for you, you might want to account for the logging error that occurs-- I've read that restaurants tend to underestimate calories by 25-40%. I add a fake food entry for that-- I call it "33% restaurant overage." I built it with my goal macro percentage. I log the meal, multiply the calories by 33%, then add that into the meal too. So, a 300 calorie scrambled egg meal becomes 400 calories, with the 100"fake" calories helping prevent the calorie creep that happens when you eat out a lot.1 -
And congrats on your son's wedding!! What a great day!1
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MicheleStitches wrote: »
Lol. My husband is an ABC (Anyone But Carolina) guy and a huge State fan. House Divided. We do love our ACC. My (step) daughter and son in law are both ECU grads. Great school. Great town. I spent a lot of time overnight in Greenville in the 1980s and early 90s with work. Venter's was my favorite joint to eat. Chicken Pastry, collards and sweet potato biscuits. Bea's Bbq was pretty good but my favorite was bbq was Mitchell's in Wilson then Wilbert's in Goldsboro.
I digress...keep your sodium up while here. It's still hot!1 -
I would go option 2, expect some weight gain and don't worry about it.1
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I don't find travel to be too much of a challenge, but it takes more planning - I usually try to find places that offer breakfast all day (Denny's, IHOP, etc), since I can always eat an omelette and stay on plan...plus I just love breakfast food and I rarely eat in the morning so if I'm going to have breakfast food it's usually at dinner time. Also, Red Robin has become amazing at offering substitutions like lettuce "buns" and veggies instead of fries...I'm sure other burger joints will follow suit if they aren't already. I also usually travel with a cooler stocked with hard boiled eggs, tuna salad, cheese sticks and such for snacking on the road or for quick lunches at rest areas. And, if I'm going to be at a hotel long enough to cook I have an electric egg cooker that I picked up on Amazon for $10 that makes boiled, poached, or omelettes - so hotel cooking is quite possible...also I usually hit the grocery for things like cracker cuts of cheese, or salad bar items (olives, lettuce, etc). For the meals you don't control, just eat what you can and avoid what you don't want, if you stay on target the rest of the time, those handful of meals are unlikely to be an issue.1
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Personally, I would go with option #3 and stay on plan. That doesn't have to mean fasting. There are usually meat options at meals, diet soda or unsweetened tea. Otherwise, you can always have a snack or something beforehand or afterwards.
As to traveling, are you going by car or air? If by car, burger places will sell without the bun. Subway restaurants have salads. If by air, get the nuts if they offer them on the plane. Or just skip the plane snacks.1 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »Personally, I would go with option #3 and stay on plan. That doesn't have to mean fasting. There are usually meat options at meals, diet soda or unsweetened tea. Otherwise, you can always have a snack or something beforehand or afterwards.
As to traveling, are you going by car or air? If by car, burger places will sell without the bun. Subway restaurants have salads. If by air, get the nuts if they offer them on the plane. Or just skip the plane snacks.
That's my vote, too. Until I tried fasting the first time I was away from home after starting LC, I had no idea how totally doable and liberating it would be.
Thereafter, I started putting travel kits together with small collections of high-calorie, LC foods, like macadamia nuts, olive oil, hard-boiled eggs, and, er.... vodka.2 -
A hearty THANK YOU to all who replied so far. To answer one question: I am flying, so carrying a cooler is not in the plan. I think tomorrow, I will take string cheese, pepperoni, nuts and a cut up avocado to avoid airport temptations. As for libations, I will go for a little liquor with plain soda water and a twist instead of beer. As for the rest, I am going to play it by ear, choosing the best options offered, and/or abstaining if I feel like it. I am just having too much success with eating low carb right now, and I don't want to blow it.2
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I personally am aiming to be able to go off plan briefly for special occasions and to hop right back on once life returns to normal. If I traveled a lot or was the type of person that had big social events on a very regular basis, I wouldn't, but for me these things are few and far between. I don't really worry at all about a week off keto, I worry about my ability to not spiral out of control and to get back on track after that week for a special trip, but that's a discipline I'm actively working on.
I don't think there's a wrong answer here though. Whatever works best for you in your given situation.
Also, Go Heels
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I personally am aiming to be able to go off plan briefly for special occasions and to hop right back on once life returns to normal. If I traveled a lot or was the type of person that had big social events on a very regular basis, I wouldn't, but for me these things are few and far between. I don't really worry at all about a week off keto, I worry about my ability to not spiral out of control and to get back on track after that week for a special trip, but that's a discipline I'm actively working on.
I don't think there's a wrong answer here though. Whatever works best for you in your given situation.
Agreed. Sadly, I do not travel often, nor do I "party" regularly. My concern is that I might release my inner sugar dragon, and struggle to get it back under control.Also, Go Heels
Blowing raspberries your way!
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MicheleStitches wrote: »A hearty THANK YOU to all who replied so far. To answer one question: I am flying, so carrying a cooler is not in the plan. I think tomorrow, I will take string cheese, pepperoni, nuts and a cut up avocado to avoid airport temptations. As for libations, I will go for a little liquor with plain soda water and a twist instead of beer. As for the rest, I am going to play it by ear, choosing the best options offered, and/or abstaining if I feel like it. I am just having too much success with eating low carb right now, and I don't want to blow it.
One great thing about the foods on this WOE is they do not require near as much space. For instance a small bag of nuts will keep you satisfied longer than a large bag of chips.
That said, when I travel, I do not go off plan, at all. I do a combo of 2 and 3. If possible/practical, I may eat beforehand so as to not be hungry.
Fortunately, I have been doing this long enough that the crappy carbage is no longer a real temptation anymore. I went and tried some of my old favorites back in February (ice cream and popcorn) only to realize they did not taste as good anymore and made me breakout like a teenager and feel bloated for a few days.
I eat this way for BG control. I don't want to be on meds, at all and plan to be around to play with my grandchildren. My daughter recently turned 12, so hopefully that is not any time soon.
I know a lot of people eat this way to lose weight. I have no more weight to lose, and quite honestly, compared to the health benefits, weight is not really all that important. The (fill in fake food item here) is just not worth it to me. Just give me my steak wrapped in bacon, cooked in ghee and smothered in blue cheese with a side of broccoli covered in butter and cheese and I'm happy.0 -
I travel a bit and I typically would take a box of quest bars and buy those little bags of peanuts for breakfast to fill in the wholes throughout the day. Lunch is a salad of some type...where could you go that doesn't serve salad? Then in the evening I eat whatever I wish. In my experience eating low carb for 2/3rds of the day and whatever in the other 3rd will only cause a slight increase in water weight when I return and nothing beyond that. This strategy has worked for trips up to 10 days for me. I will find opportunities to get in a run to help manage water weight increases as well though
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tcunbeliever wrote: »I usually try to find places that offer breakfast all day (Denny's, IHOP, etc), since I can always eat an omelette and stay on plan
You probably already know this, but for others reading, IHOP at least puts pancake batter in their omelettes.
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tcunbeliever wrote: »I usually try to find places that offer breakfast all day (Denny's, IHOP, etc), since I can always eat an omelette and stay on plan
You probably already know this, but for others reading, IHOP at least puts pancake batter in their omelettes.
I'm not 100%, but I think Denny's does as well.1 -
tcunbeliever wrote: »I usually try to find places that offer breakfast all day (Denny's, IHOP, etc), since I can always eat an omelette and stay on plan
You probably already know this, but for others reading, IHOP at least puts pancake batter in their omelettes.
I have taken IHOP completely off my list of acceptable places since my last visit where the only way to get a low carb meal was to order al a carte. Even then, as you mentioned, you have to be careful. I am not sure how they did it, but they managed to make more than a few of their items higher carb than most places.
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On our last trip to Denver I brought typical low carb snacks (nuts, raw rev glo bars, etc.) and a couple low carb wraps for the drive. I ended up finding LC options everywhere we ate so it wasn't difficult to stay on plan. I did allow myself one cheat day and I had some gluten free pizza on the way back but only a couple of slices. I didn't lose weight those 4 days but I didn't gain any either. It is OK to ask restaurants what they put in their omelettes but if you don't trust them just order eggs over easy with some other protein and veggies if possible. I had a few vodka club sodas with lime while I was there as well. There are always options, I had to eat mainly vegan the entire trip which is difficult to be LC but not impossible.
Also if you indulge one day don't just give up just get back on track the next meal or next day, just be prepared for not feeling so good. At least that is what happens to me so its a good reminder to stay on track.0 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »tcunbeliever wrote: »I usually try to find places that offer breakfast all day (Denny's, IHOP, etc), since I can always eat an omelette and stay on plan
You probably already know this, but for others reading, IHOP at least puts pancake batter in their omelettes.
I'm not 100%, but I think Denny's does as well.
BTW, Denny's doesn't in Canada; as for IHOP here, not sure but if you ask if it's gluten free you'll soon find out
Because of Celiac disease, I'm very used to not being able to eat most things on offer at 'special occasions.' Once you practice it, it's not so very hard, especially if you remember how crappy higher carb/junk foods make you feel. Other than that, stick with idea #2 if necessary and only choose a treat if it's really worth it to you (not just because it's there and you haven't had 'x' for a while). If you are comfortable with fasting - that's easy thru airports and flights - just keep your water and electrolytes up. Have fun!! Dance yer *kitten* off! lol0 -
Yeah, I always ask for gluten-free, but thanks for pointing that out, it's such a habit for me I didn't even think to mention it! I pretty much start every waitstaff conversation with - what do you have that's gluten free - and they are usually amazing about accommodating requests.
I used to be able to get gluten-free latkes at Perkins that were just potato and egg and sour cream and such, but the last time I was there they clearly had pancake batter in them even though I specified gluten-free...it didn't taste great, but it didn't make me sick, so maybe they have GF pancake batter now, but they were way better in flavor when they just made them for me without any batter in the first place.0 -
Thanks for all the suggestions. I am sitting in the airport to fly home right now, and I am happy to report I was able to stay on-plan almost 100%! I had a sip of my hubby's beer (just 1) a few times, and I had a glass of red wine at the wedding. Other than that, I was SO busy, that I often skipped eating with no problems. I had salads a and meat. I kept string cheese and pepperoni on hand to nibble on and drank LOTS of water. Once or twice, I had a bite off-plan to taste something, like the wedding cake, but then stopped at one bite. So I am really pleased with how the week went.12
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Glad it all worked out.
Along these lines, this week my local Costco had boxes of 1.5 oz mixed nut packages. No peanuts, I can't eat those and be out in public. They are perfect for airplane/train/car traveling or just keep a package in your purse along with your purse salt.0 -
I can’t eat at IHOP since I found an entire roach cooked into my pancake.2
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The above 'woo' was actually more like EWWW! but I needed to click something there
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BodyByButter wrote: »I can’t eat at IHOP since I found an entire roach cooked into my pancake.
Did you want it raw? Hmmm..... 2 -
So here's the funny rest of the story. I was there doing a secret shop. At the time I did tons of shops and they were old hat to me, but when I saw the roach I lost my composure, jumped up and exclaimed something that I don't remember. The server whisked the plate away and then the manager visited. He offered to make another one for me. Um, no thank you.
I couldn't even fill out the report since I had no receipt, but I called the secret shopping company and told them what happened and they recorded it all.0 -
^^^ LOL!!0
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BodyByButter wrote: »So here's the funny rest of the story. I was there doing a secret shop. At the time I did tons of shops and they were old hat to me, but when I saw the roach I lost my composure, jumped up and exclaimed something that I don't remember. The server whisked the plate away and then the manager visited. He offered to make another one for me. Um, no thank you.
I couldn't even fill out the report since I had no receipt, but I called the secret shopping company and told them what happened and they recorded it all.
So no photos? Darn....1
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