Hotel Meals

vals83
vals83 Posts: 63 Member
Hello All! I'm getting ready for a much needed vacation next week. But I keep worrying about sabotaging myself in Vegas. I'm not going to be as strict with my diet but I don't want to completely fall of the wagon. However I wanted to make sure I stayed on a high protein low carb and as low fat as I could well I'm there.

I realize I'll be consuming a lot of carbs through my adult beverages. So I don't' want to add on top of that. The problem is I don't have a fridge in the room. The only thing I can seem to find that will keep without a fridge are high in carbs (i.e. bagels, oatmeal, etc).

So with that being said! I would like your suggestions on what high portein snacks/meals will be good for hotel living. That doesn't require a fridge.

Replies

  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    we just back from vacation a week ago and i didnt log a thing. I drank wine and beer and ate donuts everyday. However, i also walked at least 10 miles everyday (we were in NYC) and i just discovered this morning i am down 2 lbs.

    So, my suggestion is to eat whatever you want, just watch your portions and be sure to get your exercise! Almost all hotels now have fitness centers- use it!
  • stefa711
    stefa711 Posts: 196 Member
    Lots of nuts, nut butters (jason's brand makes individually packaged portions!), dried fruit (it IS possible to find organic un-sweetened dried fruits!), bananas, kind bars, jerky (if you're a meat-eater), clif bars, high quality dark chocolate, apples, individually packaged horizon milk (will keep out of a fridge).

    I'm in the Army so I'm often in situations where I don't have a fridge and have to provide my own food if I want to eat healthy!

    Have you requested a fridge for the room? Some hotels will accomodate you if you request it!
  • Ask the hotel to put a mini fridge in your room. When I go to this particular hotel in Houston that does not have a fridge, I ask them to put a mini fridge in my room. Some places can do that, some cannot. Never hurts to ask.
  • luckyjuls
    luckyjuls Posts: 505 Member
    You could bring some Kind bars. I love those. A Kind bar with chocolate (peanut butter/dark chocolate is a fav) and a coffee is a good breakfast. Leaves you lots of wiggle room for the rest of the day. Don't deprive yourself of fine dining in Vegas. It's some of the best.

    And for mid-range, Mon Ami Gabi!
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    High protein snacks for hotel living?

    I'm sure there's plenty of that in Vegas.

    I wouldn't worry.
  • ChangingAmanda
    ChangingAmanda Posts: 486 Member
    Have you contacted the hotel to see if you can get a fridge for your room? If you tell them it's for dietary and/or medical reasons, they'll often waive any fee associated with it. That's the policy at the three hotels I've worked for and have used that reason while staying at others.

    Do you have the option to bring/purchase a cooler? Even a small to medium sized Styrofoam cooler that you can throw out at the end? You can use the ice machine to refill as needed. Just think of it as urban camping.

    The only low carb, high protein item I can think of the doesn't have to be refrigerated is beef jerky. Not much help on the food front. Sorry.
  • vals83
    vals83 Posts: 63 Member
    I know I shouldn't worry. All great suggestions! I will inquire about the fridge! I'm staying at the Monte Carlo, I would assume they would do that.
  • mahanaibu
    mahanaibu Posts: 505 Member
    nuts, apples, protein shake mixes that you can mix with water. If you want to go this far, bring a cooler and some good plastic bags. Fill the bags with ice and put them in the bottom of the cooler; they'll keep things quite cold and you can change them out each day with the hotel ice machine. I wouldn't try to keep fish that way, but it works fine for deli meats for a couple of days.

    But it's pretty easy to find high-protein meals with veggies at vegas restaurants. They're used to accommodating people with different needs. The bigger danger is the many buffet restaurants...unless you have very good self-control, I would avoid those.

    If you'll be doing much gambling, your exercise quotient might be small but your wallet will definitely lose weight!

    Actually, early spring is a perfect time to hike Red Rock Canyon, before the desert dryness and heat take over. Beautiful place, very short drive from Vegas.
  • denezy
    denezy Posts: 573 Member
    Vegas will not give you a fridge. Lol

    I travel for a living, so it is quite different from vacation. That being said, I make do by filling the garbage can with ice everyday and keeping items like Greek yogurt and boiled eggs. It is easiest to buy the night before as you have to recognize it is not a real fridge. I also put protein powder into individual serving baggies and use them as a snack to keep my protein up.

    Even when traveling, what you eat is always a choice. There are tons of healthy options, even in Vegas.

    But most importantly, enjoy your trip!
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
    Hello All! I'm getting ready for a much needed vacation next week. But I keep worrying about sabotaging myself in Vegas. I'm not going to be as strict with my diet but I don't want to completely fall of the wagon. However I wanted to make sure I stayed on a high protein low carb and as low fat as I could well I'm there.

    I realize I'll be consuming a lot of carbs through my adult beverages. So I don't' want to add on top of that. The problem is I don't have a fridge in the room. The only thing I can seem to find that will keep without a fridge are high in carbs (i.e. bagels, oatmeal, etc).

    So with that being said! I would like your suggestions on what high portein snacks/meals will be good for hotel living. That doesn't require a fridge.


    I noticed that you live in CA so are you flying or driving?

    Buy an inexpensive Styrofoam ice box when you get to LV ( or you can take your own ice box if you are driving) and fill it up with ice. You can keep inside hard boiled eggs, cheese (mini bell, string, etc.), yogurt and some fruit. Pack some zip lock bags too to keep the staplers out of the ice.

    And don’t forget some plastic spoons, knives and forks. Enjoy your vacation!
  • vals83
    vals83 Posts: 63 Member
    Yeah, I had a feeling that was too good to be true about the fridge. I will defiantly take your suggestions. I don't see eating at too many restaurants or buffets but maybe a couple in the four days we're there. I'm not at all a gambler. I'm a lay by the pool maintain a decent buzz till it's time for the night life Vegas person.
    Vegas will not give you a fridge. Lol

    I travel for a living, so it is quite different from vacation. That being said, I make do by filling the garbage can with ice everyday and keeping items like Greek yogurt and boiled eggs. It is easiest to buy the night before as you have to recognize it is not a real fridge. I also put protein powder into individual serving baggies and use them as a snack to keep my protein up.

    Even when traveling, what you eat is always a choice. There are tons of healthy options, even in Vegas.

    But most importantly, enjoy your trip!
  • Carol_Magee
    Carol_Magee Posts: 69 Member
    Some excellent ideas for hotel stays. Thanks!
  • pucenavel
    pucenavel Posts: 972 Member
    I know I shouldn't worry. All great suggestions! I will inquire about the fridge! I'm staying at the Monte Carlo, I would assume they would do that.

    Try again.

    Hotels in Vegas care about one thing only - getting you drunk and in the casino.

    As an alcoholic, who on principal demands that there not be liquor in my room, I am always in disbelief of the hoops I have to jump through to get them to remove the contents of the minibar.

    ...and on the slim chance that they will empty the beer and wine out of the fridge, they lock it up so you can't use it for anything else.

    At hotels outside of Vegas, you won't have any issues. They just are twitchy about it in Vegas.
  • vals83
    vals83 Posts: 63 Member
    I'm flying (not a drive I wanna do alone) I could easily get that stuff the night before and keep it on ice. Those are great ideas. Thank you.
    Hello All! I'm getting ready for a much needed vacation next week. But I keep worrying about sabotaging myself in Vegas. I'm not going to be as strict with my diet but I don't want to completely fall of the wagon. However I wanted to make sure I stayed on a high protein low carb and as low fat as I could well I'm there.

    I realize I'll be consuming a lot of carbs through my adult beverages. So I don't' want to add on top of that. The problem is I don't have a fridge in the room. The only thing I can seem to find that will keep without a fridge are high in carbs (i.e. bagels, oatmeal, etc).

    So with that being said! I would like your suggestions on what high portein snacks/meals will be good for hotel living. That doesn't require a fridge.


    I noticed that you live in CA so are you flying or driving?

    Buy an inexpensive Styrofoam ice box when you get to LV ( or you can take your own ice box if you are driving) and fill it up with ice. You can keep inside hard boiled eggs, cheese (mini bell, string, etc.), yogurt and some fruit. Pack some zip lock bags too to keep the staplers out of the ice.

    And don’t forget some plastic spoons, knives and forks. Enjoy your vacation!
  • kistockman
    kistockman Posts: 80 Member
    Whenever we travel we bring instant oatmeal for breakfast. Chances are your room will have a coffeepot so you can boil water and make yourself a cup of oatmeal in the morning. This is better than donuts or bagels on the go and should satisfy until lunch.
  • missymakayla
    missymakayla Posts: 309 Member
    MODERATION.....
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    Turkey Club, hold the mayo.
    The bacon adds fat, but not as much as the mayo.
    The only problem is that the sodium levels of these sandwiches are off the charts.

    Also, breakfast buffets often have little rolls of smoked turkey.
  • TinaBean007
    TinaBean007 Posts: 273 Member
    When I travel for work or vacation, I try to have a big healthy breakfast that's high in protein- even if it means a room service or a restaurant everyday. Then I eat light lunch and medium sized dinner and keep protein bars with me just in case. I find that that if I skimp on breakfast, I'm hungry/snacky the rest of the day and have no will power when I'm face to face with junk. (aka junk food in all day meetings, vendors on the street)

    I also agree with the other poster about walking. NYC and Vegas are walking cities for me. Also remember to stay hydrated. Vegas is a very dry city.... add to it the dry A/C in buildings. You might find you need to drink more water than normal.
  • palmerar
    palmerar Posts: 489 Member
    I was in Vegas last May, from what I can remember there were always healthy options where we ate. Fruit with yogurt and salads with chicken at the pool. I would even do some internet research about healthy restaurants, or ask the concierge about that. With the immense amount of dining options I can't imagine not being able to find something healthy. Walk the strip during the day for exercise. Just watch late night eating...that's where I had problems with the food court at teh MGM being open til 3 or 4 am.
  • vals83
    vals83 Posts: 63 Member
    I'm not too worried about options on the strip, we are trying to avoid eating out for every meal. Which was why I was asking about keeping food in the room.

    HOWEVER! Knowing that MGM Food court is open till 4am is both the worst and best piece of info thus far! LOL :drinker:
    I was in Vegas last May, from what I can remember there were always healthy options where we ate. Fruit with yogurt and salads with chicken at the pool. I would even do some internet research about healthy restaurants, or ask the concierge about that. With the immense amount of dining options I can't imagine not being able to find something healthy. Walk the strip during the day for exercise. Just watch late night eating...that's where I had problems with the food court at teh MGM being open til 3 or 4 am.
  • Pelly57
    Pelly57 Posts: 169 Member
    As others have mentioned, bring your protein powder, you can add it to an iced latte for a quick meal. I pack fruit and nut mixtures that can be added to instant oatmeal. Beef jerkey, Slim Jims (high in sodium, but hey, they don't need refrigeration) Also, when flying over, check and see what the airline is serving. I will often purchase an extra snack pack or two for the hotel room. A bit pricy, but they don't need refrigeration and its something in controled portions in the room. Just came back from a week in Vegas, any of the restaurants will have something to choose from. Walk down the strip, you can pack in a few miles just checking out the galleries and such.
  • !Maybe this will help you~

    On Your Trip

    Always start your day with a Medifast product! (Save money on breakfast!)
    Be aware of your schedule and do not miss a meal!
    Have a shake before going out for dinner. This will keep you from getting hungry while waiting for your meal.
    Order a salad and appetizer for you main meal. It will probably be the proper portion.
    Remember that alcohol will let down your defenses and is full of empty calories and carbs! It is best to choose club soda or a diet drink.
    Make healthy choices. Some days you may have to have both lunch and dinner out, so make the best of it and choose wisely.
    Don’t worry about losing weight; sometimes the stress of traveling will slow your weight loss. The main objective is not to gain weight!
    Remember to bring your journal.
    Have a Great time!