visiting uk, need help!

Uxorial
Uxorial Posts: 38
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm going to the UK soon, and I need some help determining what some good food choices would be for me.

I'm trying to steer away from fat and sugar, I'm okay to eat carbs although I mainly want protein, fruits and veg. This is just for personal illness issues, I know most people need a balance of these things, but basically I have to eat like a diabetic with high cholesterol.

There don't seem to be many food chains in the UK, so having nutritional info isn't always a given.

So far, I've determined a few things I can eat at Yo Sushi and Nanos.

I'm thinking of eating vegan at times and talking to the servers/chefs. Any other ideas?

I'll have lots of salads with dressing on the side. But any other tips and ideas?
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Replies

  • claireplum
    claireplum Posts: 43 Member
    Hi,

    There are plenty of chain restaurants over here who supply a variety of food. Pretty much anything you want you can get. In additon to this, the majority of places now state the calorie content on their menus so this will give you the heads up before you order. Also if you are eating at a restaurant pretty much everything comes with vegetables anyway.

    I wouldn't stress about it...when you arrive you will notice that healthy food and variety is easy to source!

    Where abouts are you visiting?
  • JoATurnbull
    JoATurnbull Posts: 2 Member
    Hi from the UK
    I don't know if this is the sort of info you're looking for but I'll give it a go.
    For lunch time snacks and sandwiches etc. try 'Marks and Spencers' food hall or 'Pret a Manger'. Both do a good range of healthy options.
    In the evening you could try the 'Harvester' Restaurant chain. They do the usual fish steaks and chicken, but they have a serve yourself salad bar. Everything is cooked to order, so I'm sure they could accommodate your dietary needs.
    Hope you have a good time here despite our awful weather this summer.LOL
  • mirandamayhem
    mirandamayhem Posts: 772
    It all depends on where you're headed before we can advise, but there are some websites that will help suggest more vegan/vegetarian places. I never really have a problem eating out though.
  • altygirl
    altygirl Posts: 57 Member
    I'm envious! I'm English but live in the US now. The other poster (my maiden name was Turnbull) is right - M&S do great sandwiches and you'll find lighter options in many places. Have a great trip!
  • d4wn66
    d4wn66 Posts: 48
    Hi I'm from England now living in Australia , and I agree with Claireplum totally but if you was to fall off the wagon, ( which f course I wouldnt encourage but if you did you have got to try , , steak and kidney pudding , chips peas and Gravey, or Fish ,chips , curry sauce , mushy peas and a muffin or Hollands meat and potatoe pie from a chippy or meat and potatoe pastie from Greg's .

    I'm sorry I'm not being very helpful am I but your post made me very Nostalgic for good old Blighty Food.

    Have a great trip x
  • claireplum
    claireplum Posts: 43 Member
    Hi I'm from England now living in Australia , and I agree with Claireplum totally but if you was to fall off the wagon, ( which f course I wouldnt encourage but if you did you have got to try , , steak and kidney pudding , chips peas and Gravey, or Fish ,chips , curry sauce , mushy peas and a muffin or Hollands meat and potatoe pie from a chippy or meat and potatoe pastie from Greg's .

    I'm sorry I'm not being very helpful am I but your post made me very Nostalgic for good old Blighty Food.

    Have a great trip x

    Mmmm fish and chips! If only there was a lighter option! I would deffo suggest to the OP that you have one meal where you do not log and you try some fish and chips! It is a 'national dish'...and tastes INCREDIBLE! (vegetarian option: Chips and a pea fritter/pickled onion)
  • d4wn66
    d4wn66 Posts: 48
    We crave these foods so much , lol I'm not a whinging Pom but so miss the chipped lol:love:
  • sarah5423
    sarah5423 Posts: 152 Member
    I'm living in Australia to but from the UK, there are plenty of options for food on the go, as mentioned marks and spencer, they gave a great range with all nutritional info, same with the supermarkets, tesco, asda, sainsburys etc I don't think you'll struggle too much and also if the nutritional info isn't available it's always worth asking, most places are very accommodating.
    Oh how I miss Greg's pasties and baguettes, bagel man in Brighton, real fish and chips, oh and great tasting Chinese food! Mmm just made myself hungry :-)
  • altygirl
    altygirl Posts: 57 Member
    Mmmmm, Greggs.
  • lilgemforgets
    lilgemforgets Posts: 285
    I agree with JoA.. marks and spencers are really good, they do a 'fuller for longer' range which is great. Also Boots do a really good range of snacks which are all low cal and low carbs! Most 'pub' type food over here comes with either chips or salad, so as long as you opt for the salad option you should be fine! Where are you visiting? Hope the weather improves for you!
  • mermx
    mermx Posts: 976
    Hi,

    There are plenty of chain restaurants over here who supply a variety of food. Pretty much anything you want you can get. In additon to this, the majority of places now state the calorie content on their menus so this will give you the heads up before you order. Also if you are eating at a restaurant pretty much everything comes with vegetables anyway.

    I wouldn't stress about it...when you arrive you will notice that healthy food and variety is easy to source!

    Where abouts are you visiting?

    Also, portion sizes are a lot smaller in the UK. If you go out to eat then just ask for more veggies. No fries. I don`t find this a problem when I go out to dinner, they usually oblige.
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,467 Member
    If you're looking for a chain, you might be able to find something you can eat at Wagamama's (vaguely Japanese) or Nando's (vaguely Portuguese chicken, I think). Or for lunches, Bagel Nash or Pret a Manger. I'm sure there are lots more, but those are the ones which spring to mind. Just remembered Italian chains - Zizzi's, Ask, etc. - there might be something there.

    I hope you have a lovely visit!
  • laurenboyer1
    laurenboyer1 Posts: 12 Member
    Pizza express also do a range of pizza's which are all under 500 calories.
  • DavidCHobby
    DavidCHobby Posts: 53
    1. Have fun! I go to London and various parts of the UK every year and LOVE it.

    2. Eat ethnic - in London there are tons and tons of choices. No worries.

    3. The ubiquitous Tesco Express has lot of sandwich options, including lots of healthy/veggie options, with all calories listed on the sandwiches. You can even sub out fruit for chips in the very economical lunch combos. (Like, 2 pounds 50 for a full lunch.)

    4. The Tesco Expresses are just about everywhere in the UK, not just major areas. Think 7-11.

    5. If you have a FitBit or something (awesome, web-enabled pedometer) you will realize just how much you are walking, which almost (but not quite) gives you carte blanche on the eating. I was averaging 20k steps a day in London. Pretty hard to overeat unless you try...

    6. If your lodging is not yet set in London, expect to pay thru the nose. One good option (assuming you are gonna miss the Olympics crowd) is AirBnB, a great web-based service for lining up apartments/bedrooms anywhere in the world. We paid UDS$280 for a 2-bed, sleeps-4 apartment with kitchen and fast wi-fi, three mins from Oxford Circus tube station. Highly recommended, no matter what your price point. Absolutely kills in value as compared to hotels.


    Have a great trip!
  • janehen12
    janehen12 Posts: 162 Member
    Reading this has made me want a Nandos...wonder if I can convince my boyfriend of that tomorrow..

    Most places will be really helpful, and a lot of places have started putting calories on menus as well recently (Frankie and Bennies do for their 'lighter options' and you can get Wetherspoons, typical pub grub, info too, but I'd avoid their food!)

    For lunches boots and M&S are my go to places, especially the boots 'shapers' range, they do a lovely less than 500 cal meal deal which I'm sightly addicted to!

    Where about are you going to, may be able to suggest some local places if I know that area x
  • hbunting86
    hbunting86 Posts: 952 Member
    I'm from the UK and currently living in NZ - yay for British food!

    Sounds like you're talking about places to eat out rather than in but I honestly don't think you will have a problem. Portion sizes are much more conservative than the US, which is also a bonus.

    If you want protein and veggies and a good old fashioned British 'roast' - Toby Carvery is inexpensive and can be as healthy as you make it (it's buffet style) and is a chain throughout the UK. Same with Wetherspoons pubs - they have all their nutritional information online, and have switched to using wholegrain pasta etc so it's much healthier than previously.

    Marks and Spencers, Boots 'count on us' range and all supermarkets have sandwiches and lunchtime foods to take away which are all savvy with nutritional information.

    Most 'chains' now have nutrition information on their website, so depending what area you're going to I'd have a look on google for restaurants in that area and go from there. If in doubt, always ask the waitress and I'm pretty sure most places will be happy to accommodate your requests.

    Enjoy your trip - I'm soooooo jealous!
  • tuppance
    tuppance Posts: 132 Member
    Most supermarkets have a salad bar in or near the cold meat section.

    All pubs and resturants are happy to do extra veg or salad even if the menu doesn't state

    i have a friend who is allergic to potatoes and most places that will happily add different veg to her plate or do roasted sweet potato for her

    Good luck and enjoy your visit
  • brk_1982
    brk_1982 Posts: 125 Member
    Bump - I'm visiting next month and will use these ideas too. :smile:
  • DavidCHobby
    DavidCHobby Posts: 53
    For those interested, here is the apartment we rented in June w/AirBnB. It was perfect for us:

    https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/244626
  • aulove
    aulove Posts: 34
    I'm visiting London in December, so I appreciate the tips, too.
  • fay_pigu
    fay_pigu Posts: 125 Member
    The UK has seen a renascence in food over the past decade, not just in London but all over. It's easy to eat buttery, creamy salt filled loveliness but equally possible to eat well.

    Eat local produce (if available), in season vegetables and pick organic (closely regulated here).

    timeout is good site to find places like:
    www.timeout.com/london/feature/997/londons-best-cheap-eats



    But if you want to go for chains look at areas like below that will list places to eat (following is near liverpool street station, has market as well):

    http://www.spitalfields.co.uk/restaurants.php
    Places include:
    http://www.leonrestaurants.co.uk/menu/ (healthy, cheap, fast)
    www.canteen.co.uk/ (not so healthy but nice)
    http://www.giraffe.net/classic/menus/ (not bad, good range)
  • londoneye
    londoneye Posts: 199 Member
    Oh the horror! I'm from London, and to see people recommending Nandos and Weatherspoons to visitors makes me cringe! Why would you want to seek out mediocre, unhealthy chain food? When I travel I want to try fresh local produce, not mass produced crap! Just check out some restaurant blogs, use your instinct, and talk to the waiters!

    Also, if you're from the US, you'll find pretty much anywhere in the world easier to eat low-cal than where you are now. The portion sizes are way smaller, for a start!
  • londoneye
    londoneye Posts: 199 Member
    The UK has seen a renascence in food over the past decade, not just in London but all over. It's easy to eat buttery, creamy salt filled loveliness but equally possible to eat well.

    Eat local produce (if available), in season vegetables and pick organic (closely regulated here).

    timeout is good site to find places like:
    www.timeout.com/london/feature/997/londons-best-cheap-eats



    But if you want to go for chains look at areas like below that will list places to eat (following is near liverpool street station, has market as well):

    http://www.spitalfields.co.uk/restaurants.php
    Places include:
    http://www.leonrestaurants.co.uk/menu/ (healthy, cheap, fast)
    www.canteen.co.uk/ (not so healthy but nice)
    http://www.giraffe.net/classic/menus/ (not bad, good range)

    Good advice, though I hated giraffe. Time out is a great source of good recommendations.
  • arl999
    arl999 Posts: 5 Member
    I live in London. It might be helpful if you could give us an idea of where you will be visiting, what sort of food you like and perhaps your budget - since this will help us give you better options.

    Generally it is pretty easy to eat out on low calories. Not all restaurants have the calories on the menu but if you Google them in advance you can find them on line (eg Wagamama and Pret a Manger). Ping Pong (dim sum) have a healthy lunch - 312 calories and really filling and fun coz lots of different things to eat.

    All restaurants will swap the potato/starch for veg and/or salad. These days lots of restaurants have a lighter choice - smaller portion plus a salad is quite usual.

    Safe options are things like Chicken Ceasar (I have mine with no cheese and no dressing but fresh lemon wedges which you can squeeze on) or egg white omlettes (I have mine with spinach and mushroom) which you can get most places.

    Here is a link which talks about some of our chains http://www.allaboutyou.com/health/diet/healthiest-restaurant-meals-in-britain

    I hope you enjoy your visit and ask if you have any more questions
  • graelwyn
    graelwyn Posts: 1,340 Member
    As many have said, portion sizes here in the Uk tend to be much smaller than the US when eating out, and some are actually pretty tiny portions, depending on where you eat. I never have an issue finding something healthy as most restaurants tend to do some sort of grilled or baked fish dish with vegetables, and many now even do gluten free. Pizza express has a nutrition guide, and they do a gluten free, aubergine based dish as well as yes, their leggera pizza which is 500 calories or less, and sort of has a bit cut out of the middle and replaced with salad. They even have a low calorie sorbet dessert.

    Wetherspoons now list 600 calorie and less dishes on their menu, including a bean chilli and they are reasonably priced if you don't mind a pub environment.

    Prezzo is another who do fish dishes and also have lighter options for pizza and pasta, believe it or not.

    Cafe Rouge is another chain that has healthier choices and makes those known on the menu.

    Bella Italia - another one that now marks off the lower calorie dishes on their menu, also a chain restaurant.

    Plenty of places where you can just get a baked potato with a toppng.

    I have always found staff in Uk restaurants generally pretty tolerant of requests for changes to their dishes. I remember a time when I was anorexic and would only eat steamed vegetables, and no restaurant ever had an issue or turned the request down, so you shouldn't have any issues at all.

    Most major supermarkets have their own lower calorie ranges, including Asda, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencers (brill sandwiches) and Tesco, so I really don't think you have cause for concern.
  • TiffanyAching
    TiffanyAching Posts: 50 Member
    you really won't struggle. we have good food here! my husband is a chef ;) we have plenty of perfectly ok chain restaurants but you can find something to suit your tastes at zillions of independent places. explore and enjoy!
  • Uxorial
    Uxorial Posts: 38
    Thanks for all the tips. I have been to the UK before but not when my diet was so restricted. I'm mainly concentrating on not sucking back my weight in battenburg cake :love:

    I think I asked for chains and such, mainly because I'll have my 4 year old with me. I find we can eat one sit down meal a day and for the others we will probably be grabbing something more on the go and having a picnic, etc. I also find that people in general seem more tolerant of children in a chain than in a fine dining establishment. Of course, that is dependent on the time, child, etc.

    We'll be around Birmingham (family from Wolverhampton) and London. Also visiting some of the kid-friendly attractions (Birmingham aquarium, Drayton Manor, Cadbury World).
  • SportyLadyPhotographer
    SportyLadyPhotographer Posts: 173
    I live near glasgow but subway can be very healthy if you make it right (without too many sauces)
    Wagamama's in glasgow is also really good and fresh food, dont knnow if they have a chain anywhere else though
  • smilesalot1969
    smilesalot1969 Posts: 392
    SUBWAY!!!
  • RoosterB
    RoosterB Posts: 214 Member
    You won't find the huge retail parks full of the fast food chains that you have in the US. Also the UK is generally about quality over quantity so don't expect to take your leftovers home in a box.
    Most places have a good range on the menu and so long as you avoid the fastfood places, it's generally cooked to order so they'll accomodate your specific requests.

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