Healthy Food options and meal planning for persons that travel for work

pmarie1960
pmarie1960 Posts: 1 Member
edited November 21 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone. Would like to start a discussion board to focus on persons that travel for work. Some of the occupations that come to mind are Consultants that travel weekly more than 50% of the time, flight attendants, pilots or anyone that is consistently on the road more than 3 days a week or travels to work on a plane. Those that know all to well airports and hotels are our second homes. :)

Our healthy choice challenges are greater in that first of all, we are always in travel status, live in hotels and away from home several nights a week, we generally cannot prepare meals, we eat out often 4-7 days per week, our choices are limited and most readily available are chain restaurants and fast food (neither are good-high sodium, fat and carbs).

Airports and hotels choices there are limited and over priced. Further, many of the usual eating suggestions from dietitians/nutritionists do not work for us. We can't travel with foods that require refrigeration, often do not always have access to transportation when traveling, hotel rooms not always equipped with refrigerators and microwaves. Overall, we need a little "extra help" for meal planning. Add to this, many big name brand hotel chains do not all have restaurants. Many have the grab and go options, much like a gas station.

I have been an IT consultant for the last 6 years. When I started in this industry, good eating habits went out the window. I have gained weight and am working on eating healthier without having salad all day everday for 4-5 days a week.

I am hoping this discussion can help us to help each other fit into a healthier lifestyle. Thanks a million.

Replies

  • litoria
    litoria Posts: 239 Member
    Ah yes, I travel extensively for my work too! It's so easy to eat rubbish... here's my routine:
    I have a portable blender, make a green smoothie for breakfast.
    Soaked oats, chia, nuts and seeds with fruit as a second breakfast.
    Substantial lunch out somewhere, lots of veg
    Dinner: try and find accommodation with a microwave, soup and salad for dinner. If I can't have a microwave, at least I'll probably have a toaster - tinned food can be effectively heated by running the can under straight hot water for 20 mins or so.
    I have a travel kitchen comprising of a small cutting boards, knife, utensils, bowl
  • All_The_Bacon
    All_The_Bacon Posts: 26 Member
    I also travel a lot for work, and I have to say that there is unfortunately no magic secret answer that I have found. It's tough, especially when you are expected to attend business lunches or dinners, and double especially when those dinners involve alcohol.

    My strategy is a combination of three things:
    (1) stashing healthy food everywhere like I'm a squirrel preparing for winter (bags of nuts, dried fruits, beef jerky)
    (2) eating as many vegetables as possible when forced to eat out
    (3) fasting when there is no other good option (almost always skip the 'food' on airplanes)

    And that's all I've got, but somehow I've managed to lose 55lbs since January with this approach.
  • pagliaci
    pagliaci Posts: 2 Member
    Also depends on what you are comfortable eating. I find the sealed packs of flavored tuna very helpful. I do IT work, so I generally always have my backpack. I will have tuna in packets, packets of peanut butter, nuts, and fruit. I have not had any trouble with this in my carry-on and computer bag. Drink lots of water. I usually stay at a national chain that offers free breakfast and that usually includes milk, yogurt, fruit, and boiled eggs. If I'm going to be at a hotel more than a couple days, if you have free two day shipping, a certain large mail order company delivers to hotel rooms. If possible prioritize chains that have amenities that support your plan. I have a restricted budget for hotel prices, but I can usually find a hotel that has a microwave in the room and a frig.
  • JustRobby1
    JustRobby1 Posts: 674 Member
    edited August 2017
    I am an ad executive and travel 3-4 times per month on average, for typically 2-3 days at a time. Honestly, since I only count calories and don't bother with macros, it is not that big of a deal for the most part. Other than the generalized run down feeling you get from traveling all the time just in general. I have a Google Docs list of just about every chain restaurant you can think of with go to options for food that works well. I will make a list below of some additional things I have picked up from the road.

    1) The Hyatt Place hotel concept has the best food options for calorie counters. It's served 24-7 and their AM breakfast clearly lists calories and is fantastic. I have HR send me there if one is close to where I am going (oh, and get in good with HR just in general). If you go to the same places often like I do, just tell HR to always book you there and there is no surprises, and it's easier for them anyway. It's always nice to have something familiar when you are on the road.

    2) Always try to get a hotel with a decent gym facility. Many hotels might say they have a gym on their website, but when you get there you find out it is a single treadmill and weights from 1972. Read online travel review sites to get the real picture.

    3) When you are waiting for your flights, don't just sit mindlessly at gate on your phone, take the opportunity to get out and explore and get your step count up. This will also keep you limber from having to be shoehorned into a plane later.

    4) Clients often expect to be taken to dinner, so take them to a place that you already have lined up with items on the menu that work well with your plan. Steakhouses like Ruth Chris and Capital Grille are always a popular choice, and I have those menus clocked like they are a Vegas point spread.

    5) If you visit large cities, be like the locals and take mass transit instead of cabs, ubers, or rental cars. This also gets your step counts up and you get a better feel for your location too. Boston's "T" I have pretty much down to a science at this point, and going to and from it keeps my step counts up.

    6) Become an animal in the conference room when you are presenting. Get up and walk around when you are throwing down Daniel Webster style. Not only does this make you a more authoritative public speaker, but its additional movement that keep you sharp and your audience engaged.

    7) Go to bed early and get plenty of sleep. Yes, hotel beds often suck, but take some Tylenol PM if you have to. Worry about your emails when you get back to the office. Being well rested when on the road makes everything easier, and you are going to be wore out from travel anyway.

    *Oh, and the stroopwaffel on United Airlines AM flights rocks!*

    I am sure there is tons I am forgetting, but that is off the top of my head.
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