Going to the USofA soon... Yummy Yummy Yummy
warezWally
Posts: 18 Member
Hello,
I'm going on a little trip to the US
- New York for 2 Nights
- Atlanta/Athens for Labour Day Weekend
- Drive up to Raleigh via Savannah & Myrtle Beach.
My time in NYC and the Drive across the Carolinas will obviously require me to eat out a lot, at food places. Now I LOVE American foods, Hot Dogs, Ribs, Burgers, Doughnuts, Pancakes, Waffles.
I'm obviously going to go over my suggested daily calorie intake (1250) for my time over there and its unlikely I will be doing a huge amount of exercise, but can anyone in the states suggest ways of enjoying american fare whilst not being a pig and not completely destroying all my hard work?
- Chris
I'm going on a little trip to the US
- New York for 2 Nights
- Atlanta/Athens for Labour Day Weekend
- Drive up to Raleigh via Savannah & Myrtle Beach.
My time in NYC and the Drive across the Carolinas will obviously require me to eat out a lot, at food places. Now I LOVE American foods, Hot Dogs, Ribs, Burgers, Doughnuts, Pancakes, Waffles.
I'm obviously going to go over my suggested daily calorie intake (1250) for my time over there and its unlikely I will be doing a huge amount of exercise, but can anyone in the states suggest ways of enjoying american fare whilst not being a pig and not completely destroying all my hard work?
- Chris
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Replies
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I have no suggestions, all i want to say is that i'm incredibly jealous you're getting to go to New York!0
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I've been to NYC a couple of times and I found that you end up walking LOADS!!!0
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Yea you will be walking alot plus its a holiday enjoy it dont worry about kcals for a week. Chill and enjoy
Also 1250 is very low for a guy espically if your exercising??0 -
NY is a pure walking environment, you can walk for miles just sight seeing.
Street food in NY is great, so is the pizza, bagels, delis, etc. It's all good!
Atlanta is one of my favorite cities, so many great places to visit and eat. If you like hot dogs, go to the Varsity. You will love it.
I am going to the race in Atlanta over Labor Day, so I can tell you now, the city if FUN that holiday. So many things going on in Atlanta!
I will be going to Five Guys Burgers and also to the Varsity. And the Vortex0 -
I generally try to get what I want off the kids' menu if they have one or just try to leave some food on the plate but like everyone said, you'll do a lot of walking in NYC and just enjoy it.0
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it's just about impossible. America is self destructing with the food choices and the portion sizes.
the best you can hope for is to have a short stay here is the land of grease, soy and cotton.
have a good time, eat like a pig and then go home and get back on track.0 -
Forgot about the walking in NYC!.. Actually the hotel I'm staying at lets you hire bikes which could be fun
I think it might be a bit low too... but I'm maintaining 1250. i.e on Monday I reached 1250 calories, then exercised for about 750 calories worth, and then ate 750's worth...
Meaning I ate in total 2000 calories that day, but used up 750 through exercise.
I don't get too hungry to be honest and when I do I drink water, which is a good thing as I have a tendency to allow myself to be dehydrated most of the time.0 -
My mom lives in Raleigh, and there are alot of activities there that will ensure you get plenty of exercise. There are alot of museums downtown, which will require alot of walking. Also, if you will be anywhere near Gorman St., make a trip to Lake Johnson. There are walking/jogging trails, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boating, etc... Also, there are picnic shelters with grills, so if you like burgers, you can make your own, giving you more control over how it's made. There is also a fantastic Farmer's Market off of Avent Ferry Rd. where you can buy healthy, farm fresh fruits and veggies, or you can enjoy some homemade baked goods.0
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Wow! How many responses already!? this is by far the busiest message board (and most helpful, where are the trolls?) I've been on. Cheers for the advice 0
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I would suggest to stay away from fast food, it typically is not that good anyways (especially if you are used to unprocessed food.) I would try the regional favorites. Pizza in New York. Bbq, peaches and peacans in Georgia. In the Carolinas, again bbq and seafood (some of the best seafood I every had was in Charlestown SC). More than anything, enjoy, but when vacation is done get back to where you were before. I would also suggest if there is not something you are dying to try, make healthy choice (ie if you want pizza for dinner, choose fruit and a protein source. Have fun.0
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I'm obviously going to go over my suggested daily calorie intake (1250) for my time over there and its unlikely I will be doing a huge amount of exercise, but can anyone in the states suggest ways of enjoying american fare whilst not being a pig and not completely destroying all my hard work?
- Chris
i used to live in ny and will be moving back in 6 months, so i'm very familiar with the venues there. to be perfectly honest if you're going to ny, you're gonna have a hard time finding a fast food place because there are so many restaurants in ny all compressed in a small area all wanting a piece of "the big apple". i used to live in brooklyn and the only fast food joint was Wendy's and i only ate there once because there were so many other much better places to eat at. even when i went to work i never saw a fast food place. i would normally eat at the jamaican take-out because i lived in the west indian neighborhood of brooklyn.
i sincerely believe u can eat out in ny and not go over your calorie intake for the day; its possible sodium intake would go over tho. just eat at mom and pops restaurants (which there are plenty of). they probably won't have their nutrition facts listed, but mom and pop chains usually use "home made"-like ingredients and have delicious food and don't leave u feeling nasty after you've eaten it. id have to say its healthier to eat out in nyc than where i am now. right now i'm in va and theres a mcdonalds, burger king, taco bell, wendy's, kfc, etc on every dam corner and not a mom and pop restaurant in sight for miles! and besides, you'll be in nyc ... who eats at fast food places that you can get anywhere in america, when you can enjoy all the tastes of food from around the world at the mom and pops restaurants!0 -
If you go to Savannah, then be sure to try Shrimp and Grits or some of the other Low Country favorites. I would suggest you stop in Charleston on the way to Myrtle Beach. There are restaurants like crazy.. and good ones in Charleston.
Myrtle Beach is very touristy, so eat whatever junk you can find.
Try boiled peanuts. I personally am not a fan of them but if you are down south it is something you should experience. You should do well with Shrimp anywhere in the low country. Seafood is great there.
I have been to all of the places you are going to and there are special flavors in each place. Check it out on some of the travel or food network channels.. or sites to find out where to eat.
Have fun! Enjoy the culture and don't worry about calories, You will be walking a LOT.0 -
Cool!
I've been hassling various tourist groups on Facebook asking about great spots to go to meet local people. I'm travelling on my own and between seeing family I want to meet and befriend local people. I cant wait to go. Can anyone suggest good places to go in these areas where I'd be greeted with a warm welcome and perhaps not used to floods of tourists dropping in. (I understand a few of the places I'll visit, that will be nearly impossible)0 -
Last time I was in new york I ate nothing but fried food (school group on a set menu. it was burger and fries, or cheesburger and fries..)
I lost 8lb from the amount of walking. BEST EVER.
Going back in June so this thread will be a good reference for me
Have an awesome time! 0 -
I'm going on vacation to another country soon and here's my plan...
It is all about portion control and activity. Enjoy the foods. You just don't need to eat as if it were your last meal. Be choosy. Maybe you like bread in the bread basket but it doesn't hit your OMG spot. Skip it and pick something that does.
As for activity, stay busy. Walk. Explore. Enjoy.0 -
How do you plan to get around while in NYC? Most people walk and take the subway. While you are there, unless you plan on shelling out tons of $$$$ taking taxis or the hassle of a rental car, you'll be getting tons of exercise.
Enjoy your trip!0 -
Get lunch size portions if they are available and/or ask for a box beforehand and put half in the box to take with you before you even eat. Portion sizes are outrageous here!0
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If you are going to be in Savannah overnight then I highly recommend a night ghost tour...very fun, educational, and even some walking for exercise...plus there's something about night time creepy stuff that makes friends out of strangers...0
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Pork BBQ sandwiches in NC. Also, biscuits and gravy for breakfast once you hit the south.
--P0 -
not sure on the tourist attractions because when i lived there, i didn't tour anything. lol. theres usually crowds everywhere in manhattan, most dense around working times 7am-6pm, mon-fri, so floods of people might be hard to avoid especially this time of year. my mom came to visit me once and they wanted to go shopping so i took them to the rockefeller center. theres a mall in there amongst other things. could prolly do a google search for other places.0
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NY is a pure walking environment, you can walk for miles just sight seeing.
Street food in NY is great, so is the pizza, bagels, delis, etc. It's all good!
Atlanta is one of my favorite cities, so many great places to visit and eat. If you like hot dogs, go to the Varsity. You will love it.
I am going to the race in Atlanta over Labor Day, so I can tell you now, the city if FUN that holiday. So many things going on in Atlanta!
I will be going to Five Guys Burgers and also to the Varsity. And the Vortex
Oh yes! The Varsity!! I live in Florida and my coworker, who is from Atlanta, brings me Varisity fare when she visits her parents....its so bad, but SO GOOD!
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For Starters, don't worry about the 1250 this week. Set your goal at 1750 (assuming you normally have a 500 calorie deficit).
FWIW, I went to LA early this summer and gained several pounds. I hit the gym and got back on my routine and shed them in a week without doing anything special. In other words......live life and don't worry about one week. You've got the rest of your life to lose a couple pounds back. Just don't make a habit of gaining weight back.0 -
Cool!
I've been hassling various tourist groups on Facebook asking about great spots to go to meet local people. I'm travelling on my own and between seeing family I want to meet and befriend local people. I cant wait to go. Can anyone suggest good places to go in these areas where I'd be greeted with a warm welcome and perhaps not used to floods of tourists dropping in. (I understand a few of the places I'll visit, that will be nearly impossible)
Where are you from? Do you have an accent? That will help you make friends - jk
Just be friendly and people are typically friendly back. 0 -
and yea you'll be doing alot of walking so you'll prolly work off the calories jus as fast as u ate it. dont take a car or you'll miss everything and its frustrating to drive in nyc anyways. ull get where u need to go faster by walking, bike or train.0
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If you go to Savannah, then be sure to try Shrimp and Grits or some of the other Low Country favorites. I would suggest you stop in Charleston on the way to Myrtle Beach. There are restaurants like crazy.. and good ones in Charleston.
Myrtle Beach is very touristy, so eat whatever junk you can find.
^^^
I second this recommendation. Shrimp and Grits is the food of the gods (you can get good versions of it all along the coast from Savannah up to around Myrtle Beach). You might also look for a good oyster roast in the lowcountry, if you like oysters. Also you might try Red Rice when you're in Savannah (a very local specialty), and around Raleigh get the local pulled pork barbecue. You might try The Pit in Raleigh for barbecue ... in that part of NC, the meat isn't cooked with sauce, and the sauce is a vinegar-chili mix with a little tomato in it that you sprinkle on after. If you're near Myrtle Beach, there are some good seafood places down the highway in Murrels Inlet, but I can't say I've ever had a meal in Myrtle Beach that was worth the calories ... though some people swear by the Calabash-style seafood you find around that area.
A lot of the above options aren't particularly great if you're trying to lose weight (there's a reason why you'll see a lot of obese people in the Carolinas), but you can split portions and leave some on your plate. Plus you're not going to be eating that way every meal.0 -
When you are in Georiga (or any of the southern states) try to find creole food. I was able to get some in Kentucky so I imagine you can in Georgia. Creole has to be the best food we have produced in this country. I would rather eat that than NY Style Pizza any day of the week. Southern BBQ is another that is good. If you are careful you can get diet friendly versions of BBQ.0
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Have a great time!!! 0
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As a guy your caloric intake should not be below 1500 Net. If it is that means your weekly weight loss goal is much to aggressive. I would suggest changing to 1 lb/week instead of 2.
If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.
Not eating enough when you have less to lose will lead to the loss of a large % of lean muscle, not just the fat you are looking at losing.
That being said, enjoy your trip.0 -
If you go to the Greenwich Village neighborhood in NYC you'll find a lot of great places to eat and drink, plus friendly locals. It's a residential area, unlike midtown or the financial district where most people are working or sightseeing.0
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We Americans, sadly, do like to pack in the calories. And to truly experience some of our culinary wonders, well... It won't be easy to stay under calorie budget. The best thing to do in my opinion is totally write off fast food. If you're going to go over, do it in style. And as we all know, fast food has no style, just wasted calories.
NYC is a melting pot of some of USA's best flavors. It's so diverse that you can go to any neighborhood and get something great. Lots of it reflects the ethnicities that helped build the city. So be prepared to find restaurants that actually seem "foreign". It's all part of our melting pot heritage. Bagels, lox and cream cheese, corned beef, pastrami, all are great. New York style pizza is to die for. I always loved New York linguine and clams.
In the southeast, oh boy. Does it get good there. And more true to the region. My favorite is shrimp and grits. You HAVE to have grits. It's quintessential southern food. Barbecue pork or ribs are big. Southerners do amazing things with a pig. Greens. Southerners love their greens. Collards, turnips, it's a nice variety. And fried chicken.
Enjoy your visit to our fair country.0
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