HELP! Traveling and desperate!

brandon_moser
brandon_moser Posts: 22 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi Everyone,

I'm struggling here. I always get derailed from my healthy choices and recommended calorie count when I travel. When I'm at home, I have a system - I eat almost the same thing every day.

I'm in San Diego, and even the SALADS are 900-1200 calories! There are no Chick-Fil-A's around (I usually get their cobb salad when at home). When I look at the menus around here, everything is 800 calories plus. I'd rather NOT eat than eat over my calorie count. But that's not a good choice either. I'm working out like a madman adding to my allowed calorie count, but I don't know how sustainable that is over 7 days.

First, I'm used to eating cobb salads because I like the high protein content, but other than dressing, how can I reduce calorie count? I'm confused on how a Chick-Fil-A cobb salad can be 500 cal with dressing but any other Cobb is 1000. Maybe if I have them take the bacon out?

Secondly, I'd really appreciate anyone who can give me advice on how/where they eat while traveling. I will NOT let my business trips be an excuse to stop losing weight!

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give.
Brandon
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Replies

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Dressing on the side
    cheese on the side
    bacon on the side

    don't eat the horrible tasting croutons

    I always ask for the dressing on the side, then I can control how many calories worth of dressing I ingest. (And I always remove the horrible tasting croutons).

    Try finding restaurants with grilled meats and vegetables. Go to a mexican place and eat fajitas, but try not to eat all the tortillas OR leave some of your food behind.

    Just because the dish is 1000 calories, doesn't mean you have to eat 1000 calories. :smile:

    And DON'T fret. Enjoy your trip. You're probably walking a ton more than normal. ENJOY.
  • iwantmydenimback
    iwantmydenimback Posts: 194 Member
    you're in san diego. you're in one of the most health conscious cities in america. stop eating crappy overly caloric salads and eat some grilled fish or steak! eat fajitas and tacos! and there are a buttload of chik fil a locations in various areas of the county.

    chain restaurants are going to kill you. eat local.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    you're in san diego. you're in one of the most health conscious cities in america. stop eating crappy overly caloric salads and eat some grilled fish or steak! eat fajitas and tacos! and there are a buttload of chik fil a locations in various areas of the county.

    chain restaurants are going to kill you. eat local.
    So your advice is: you're traveling. Change everything about the way you eat. :flowerforyou:
  • Aemely
    Aemely Posts: 694 Member
    Luna Grill has some OK options... :ohwell: The Greek salad is 630 cals. if you add chicken, according to the menu.

    http://www.lunagrill.com/Menu/Default.aspx?Id=0

    GREEK SALAD: Feta cheese, Greek olives, tomato, cucumber, red onion, pepperoncinis, house vinaigrette. (350 cals)
    APPLE WALNUT SALAD: Organic spring mix, apple, Gorgonzola, candied walnuts, cranberries, pomegranate vinaigrette. (590 cals)
    LUNA SALAD: Spinach, cranberries, almond slivers, feta cheese, tomato, red onion, cucumber, house vinaigrette. (650 cals)
    MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN SALAD: Chopped chicken, couscous, cucumber, tomato, onion, mint, parsley, scallions, feta cheese, vinaigrette, on a bed of lettuce. (760 cals)
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,082 Member
    Just use the knowledge you have gained by weighing and measuring your food at home and take out the desired calories from your restaurant meals. if you have been weighing and measuring for even a short time you should have a good idea what a portion of each of the foods you typically eat looks like and how many calories are in it. Keep a small note pad with you if you need a quick reference.

    If you are making eating your correct daily calories a Lifestyle then this is a skill you are going to need to master to succeed.



    .
  • SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage
    SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage Posts: 2,668 Member
    When I'm travelling, I make sure to get a hotel room with a fridge. I visit the local supermarket and purchase healthy foods that I can make myself. I go to Starbucks, get empty venti cold cups with lids and pack salads into them, pop them into my cooler backpack with a zip lock bag of ice and go exploring (not sure if this works for a business trip but you get the idea).
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    What is your calorie goals daily??? Do you go by TDEE or do you use MFP method and eat back your calories.??? How often do you travel on business? if not often can you eat at maintenance so to have extra calories when you are traveling... or if you are traveling alot for business than you really need to learn eat out menu's and add variety to your meal plans... You can eat foods other than salad.. a good steak, baked potato, and veggies would go along way, or if you prefer fish you are in an area where there is an abundance of seafood choices.... Best of Luck
  • karenj_m
    karenj_m Posts: 215
    Chicken with veggies on the side.....big salads with oil/vinegar on the side....

    Order tuna or turkey subs - 6 "

    Just watch portion control.

    You can do it.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Order the stuff and eat half?

    Lots of motels have fridges and microwaves, so look for that when traveling. Bring your own snacks.

    That's all I have.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Salads can be high in calories depending on the restaurant.
    Look for grilled options: small steak, chicken, fish. Or a turkey burger.
    Order sides instead of meals: like a plain baked potato with steamed broccoli.
    Breakfast is usually good while traveling: eggs, potatoes, bacon -- reasonable calories.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Order the stuff and eat half?

    Lots of motels have fridges and microwaves, so look for that when traveling. Bring your own snacks.

    That's all I have.
    This.

    There is no reason to change your style of eating, just eat less of it if it has more calories than you care for. You can always save half of that meal for lunch or dinner.

    I'm going to Ireland on Friday and, except for the cooked meal at the B & Bs, I will be eating out most of the time. For me, there is no reason to go all out. Since I will still be active, but I won't be doing my lifting, but may run a few times, I know I won't need as many calories. My TDEE is around 2000, so that's what I'll work to stick with. Maybe a bit less if I'm less active.
  • dawnmcneil10
    dawnmcneil10 Posts: 638 Member
    First of all, take a deep breath and relax! :)

    Ok, now let's get down to business. I eat a salad every day on vacation or when traveling so I can be sure I getting my veggies but you don't have to eat them as meals. Get a side salad and steamed veggies with a piece of grilled meat, have fajitas and skip the tortilla or ask if they have whole grain tortillas. Try new things, ask the locals for healthy option restaurants and step outside your comfort zone. If you really want salads then ask around someone will tell you about a great salad place or even an amazing salad bar.
    Pop into a grocery or convenience store and grab some greek yogurt, fruit, granola bars, almonds. This will give you some extra protein during your day and is very easy to find. Visit a local coffee shop and have a latte which is another fabulous way to add some protein and enjoy the area. Walk everywhere you can just for the enjoyment of it, you never know what you'll find.

    Most hotels put out apples and/or bananas, grab one and toss it in your bag, usually if they have continental breakfast they have peanut butter in single serve containers, grab one at breakfast to enjoy with your apple or banana later.
  • Amanda4change
    Amanda4change Posts: 620 Member
    We were in Carlsbad in June, there are amazing restaurants in Southern California that are healthy as well. This is a site that we used while we were there to find good healthy food options. It will give you menus and nutrition guides for healthy restaurants all over. http://www.healthydiningfinder.com Here is the link specific for San Diego: http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/SearchList.aspx?W9+PE3V/Izrd3ncfGrUPkUTqGWx20+WCZRKiPkrQp6A=

    Good luck.
  • softblondechick
    softblondechick Posts: 1,275 Member
    I travel a lot for work, and try to stay with the same food I eat at home. For breakfast, I usually have two boiled eggs, and fruit. For lunch, usually ice tea, and a small salad, with a piece of tofu on the side. For dinner, I find ordering a shrimp cocktail appetizer is plenty, if you are eating at upscale restaurants, less expensive places, I go with grilled chicken salad.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I pack snacks like protein powder, protein muffins, almonds, trail mix, etc. I stop at a grocery store and buy some fruit and a veggie tray.
    For meals I eat out, I pick things close to what I eat. Lean meats, veggies/salads, etc.

    Besides Cobb salad, what else do your normally eat?
  • ianthy
    ianthy Posts: 404 Member
    Hi

    I used to ask for what I want, take snacks, stop at shops and buy the odd pre-made salad and eat in my room. Most of all I asked the staff to prepare exactly what I wanted. On biz you are paying high corporate rates in hotels - nothing should be too much trouble.
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  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    This might be an interesting read for you.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/stroutman81/view/the-rigid-mindset-689293


    ETA: Oops, my bad. I totally misread and didn't comprehend it's for business. My suggestion is to try to look up the area ahead of time, find restaurants with menus that include calorie counts and go with that.

    Jason's Deli, for example, has it and so does Carl's Jr (their grilled chicken salad is 280 cals without dressing).
  • ChrisRabon_26
    ChrisRabon_26 Posts: 113 Member
    Are there any Chili's nearby? If so, i'd recommend them. They have some good choices on their menu. It actually shows the calories beside each food item.
  • CupcakesMom2
    CupcakesMom2 Posts: 154 Member
    If you see a small salad on the menu that would work ingredient wise but its too small for a meal, order 2
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    This might be an interesting read for you.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/stroutman81/view/the-rigid-mindset-689293


    ETA: I'm assuming you are on vacation. If not and this is more for work, then my suggestion is to try to look up the area ahead of time, find restaurants with menus that include calorie counts and go with that.

    Jason's Deli, for example, has it and so does Carl's Jr (their grilled chicken salad is 280 cals without dressing).
    Excellent link, thank you. I will repeat to thyself, "Goodbye rigid mind, hello moderation" when I come face to face with all the food I will see piled on plates when I'm in Ireland. :bigsmile:
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Excellent link, thank you. I will repeat to thyself, "Goodbye rigid mind, hello moderation" when I come face to face with all the food I will see piled on plates when I'm in Ireland. :bigsmile:

    Wow! Ireland? I'm jealous!
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    This might be an interesting read for you.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/stroutman81/view/the-rigid-mindset-689293


    ETA: I'm assuming you are on vacation. If not and this is more for work, then my suggestion is to try to look up the area ahead of time, find restaurants with menus that include calorie counts and go with that.

    Jason's Deli, for example, has it and so does Carl's Jr (their grilled chicken salad is 280 cals without dressing).
    Excellent link, thank you. I will repeat to thyself, "Goodbye rigid mind, hello moderation" when I come face to face with all the food I will see piled on plates when I'm in Ireland. :bigsmile:

    Yup. Work travel is different than pleasure. When I travel, food is a big part of it. I tend to focus on one "whatever" meal a day and am more sensible with the other two. Pair that with the extra activity of touring, I'm usually ok. I don't mind a few extra pounds after a good trip.
    I don't go all out eat whatever but I am definitely experiencing the food.

    Have fun! In Ireland it would be the beer, not the food, that would hurt me.
  • TheRealNoodlette
    TheRealNoodlette Posts: 132 Member
    If you're near a Chipotle, you can go there. They have menus with caloric intake. I don't go very often, but when I do, I get a chicken or beef salad. You can add whichever toppings you want (cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, etc.).

    I agree with man of the other posters: try eating meals with grilled meats and some steamed veggies as a side. I know when you're traveling for business you don't always get to choose your restaurants but San Diego is a pretty heath conscious place, so most places should have good choices available to you. Hotel restaurants are notorious for huge portions for breakfasts. One way to avoid that is to do the breakfast buffet, but skip the pastries and instead ask for an omelette with veggies. You can usually specify which ingredients you want, including how many eggs. That way you'll have a better understanding of how to calculate your meals when you log them. If you order an omelette off the menu, you also get potatoes on the side, toast, etc. which are hard to say NO to. You can also go to a place like Starbucks for breakfast and eat one of their salads or food boxes from the fridge display.

    Another great resource is Whole Foods, there's bound to be a lot of them there. You can make your own salads with your favorite toppings there, I usually will put together some chicken with veggies, yum. Good luck to you!
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Hit a grocery and bring your own snacks. Ideally, if you can fix your own meals in the hotel (ask for a kitchen), then you'll be golden.
  • kade_cando
    kade_cando Posts: 6
    Chipotle salad w/ chicken & veggies, no beans or rice, salsa as a dressing

    Sharky's has some heathy things like their Power Plates and healthy salads especially on their "naked menu"

    The Habit is a burger place but they have a killer grilled tuna sandwich, veggie burger and their salads are healthy if you watch the dressing.

    Also, grocery stores are having more and more grab and go prepared food. Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Spouts and Fresh & Easy are especially good for prepared foods.
  • Harunan
    Harunan Posts: 22 Member
    There's a Chick-Fil-A right next to the Sports Arena, but Chick-Fil-A sucks. :tongue: I've never had a problem finding low calorie salads here. Don't use the dressing (usually the calorie downfall) and pass on the croutons, etc.
  • brandon_moser
    brandon_moser Posts: 22 Member
    Wow. Thank you ALL for well-informed answers. You all had something different to contribute, so THANK YOU! :happy:

    Brandon
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    When I travel for business I skip the hotel breakfast and either take my own or buy my own from a grocery store (I use google maps before I leave home). That way I can completely control at least one meal per day, and try and pack into that meal a good portion of protein and fiber (think greek yogurt, egg, string cheese, fruit, high fiber crackers).

    For other meals, I always have to eat what is provided. If it's a catered "meal", I picked lean proteins (preferably fish or chicken), salads with dressing on the side, minimal sauces (yup, I scrape it off), skip bread, skip dessert and minimize pasta. I dismantle sandwiches and eat as much protein and salad as I can get and throw away half the bread, and skip cookies and sodas (except no cal). If there is fruit I grab that. I don't make a song and dance about scraping off sauces and dismantling sandwiches, but generally people are only interested in what they're eating, so they don't notice anyway.

    I also try really hard to get some exercise in every day, no matter what wacky time I manage to fit it in. It just makes me feel better.

    I also just try to eat less and focus on moderation, moderation, moderation and consuming huge quantities of water.

    If I'm flying, I seriously take my own snacks and meals (within the security guidelines), take my own empty water bottle and refill it whenever I can and turn down the disgusting food and snacks the airlines throw at you (even if the air stewardess looks at me like I'm crazy).

    It's all about taking control and not just settling for what is shoved in front of you really.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    When I travel for business I skip the hotel breakfast and either take my own or buy my own from a grocery store (I use google maps before I leave home). That way I can completely control at least one meal per day, and try and pack into that meal a good portion of protein and fiber (think greek yogurt, egg, string cheese, fruit, high fiber crackers).

    For other meals, I always have to eat what is provided. If it's a catered "meal", I picked lean proteins (preferably fish or chicken), salads with dressing on the side, minimal sauces (yup, I scrape it off), skip bread, skip dessert and minimize pasta. I dismantle sandwiches and eat as much protein and salad as I can get and throw away half the bread, and skip cookies and sodas (except no cal). If there is fruit I grab that. I don't make a song and dance about scraping off sauces and dismantling sandwiches, but generally people are only interested in what they're eating, so they don't notice anyway.

    I also try really hard to get some exercise in every day, no matter what wacky time I manage to fit it in. It just makes me feel better.

    I also just try to eat less and focus on moderation, moderation, moderation and consuming huge quantities of water.

    If I'm flying, I seriously take my own snacks and meals (within the security guidelines), take my own empty water bottle and refill it whenever I can and turn down the disgusting food and snacks the airlines throw at you (even if the air stewardess looks at me like I'm crazy).

    It's all about taking control and not just settling for what is shoved in front of you really.
    That's a great point. I typically take a stock of QUEST bars for breakfast when I travel.

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