Traveling on a diet

Do any of you travel for a living?  I'm finding it very difficult to eat out for 3 meals per day while I am traveling for work and still maintaining any semblance of a diet.

Does anyone have suggestions on how you handle eating out/travelling and dieting at the same time? 

I have to do a lot of traveling for my job, both in and out of town, and I understand how frustrating it can be trying to stay on a diet while on the go. I try and make my meals the night before. Small things that don't need to be warmed up the next day. I bring a little lunch box cooler with me in the car and leave my meals and snacks in there. This lets you bring healthy choices like yogurt, protein shakes, sandwiches, and even salads with you wherever you go. Just make sure you store the lettuce and the dressing in two separate containers... I found out the hard way that it makes for a mushy mess if you don't.

I also try to know what healthy choices are available to me at different fast food places as well. Like how many calories/what the macronutrient information is for this salad from McDonalds or this chicken sandwich. That way you can make a choice on the go that will fit in with what your nutritional needs are for that particular meal.

The bottom line is it all comes down to planning. Even people that are always on the move can eat healthy with just a little bit of preparation. It just takes some effort. I hope this helps.

yes, i travel...a lot...usually 3 or 4 nights a week in a hotel room.....

 

What I've been doing for a few months now (and is VERY time consuming) is planning my meals by week (or at least travel days....)...and cooking/packing everything on Sundays.  I bring a large cooler and make sure to stay in places with a micro if I can.  Otherwise I bring my foreman grill and eat grilled sandwhiches at night...

Like I said its very very time consuming but I hardly ever eat out anymore...which has worked better for me weight-loss wise...

It doesnt work if you have to fly though, like next week Ill be going to DC from Alabama.....no cooler for me....I just have to deal with resteraunts and not losing weight that week

Hi - I travel at least 3-4 days/night a week and have for several years.  I eat out most of the time at night but in the morning I can usually get something like cereal,milk, fruit and most of the hotels I stay in have this or boiled eggs.  For lunch I can usually find a store with a sald bar that I can set up with no or little salad dressing.  Then at night you can order what you want most of the time.  Usually I'll ask for a grilled chicken breast and vegetables or fish made special.  I have never had any restaurant tell me no.

If you do fast food you can still ask them to fix it special.  Last year I lost about 25 pounds and have kept most of it off.  I am back on the road this week and have been carrying almonds to tide me over if I get hungry or buy a bag of apples to leave in the car or my case when I go to the office.  It has worked for me so far and I plan on losing another 35 - I gained it all in those nice places and fast food for lunchy - so I figure I can make it go away again.

Good luck - it's not easy.

Eating out healthy is possible.  Alot of restaurants will cook things to order, ie broiled fish, steamed vegatables, dressing on the side,,, you get my point.  I was just on a business trip for 5 days and I lost 2 pounds.  Just don't use it as an excuse to eat out of your comfort zone.  You have already come so far!!!

I know you can get sick of salads, but I've found that ordering their sandwiches without the sauce and the buns can be good, or a salad with a twist. I've been on a high raw diet and ordered the taco salad with chicken and no chips, salsa instead of dressing, no sour cream or cheese. It was delicious and something different for me. Calories were decent.

Richard Simmons has a low calorie dining out pamphlet type book. I'm sure there are other books out there too.

You can do it.

I travel a good deal, some of it for work, but most of it not for work.

I opened this thread because I'm actually sitting in Incheon Intl. Airport right now waiting for my flight to Beijing . . . and eating an egg and cheese sandwich on rye that I brought from home.

Here's my two cents: set some room aside in your bag for non-perishable foods you can prepare ahead of time. Use these foods for breakfast or lunch, or pair them with a salad for a little extra something. These are things I take with me pretty regularly . . .

-Hard-boiled eggs

-Falafel (you can make ahead of time at home, they travel well)

-Nuts

-Homemade nut butters (just throw some nuts and spices into a blender for an interesting savory alternative to PB)

-Bagels

-Non-perishable and dried fruits, sun-dried tomatoes, cucumbers

-Cereals, instant oatmeal, instant grits, prepared rice

-Roasted chickpeas, beef and other jerky

-Shelf-stable soymilk, instant soups

Now, if you're in a hotel room, you can also mention that you're diabetic (just lie, I do it all the time) . . . which will get you a mini-fridge (for your invisble insulin) . . . in which case you can bring your whole kitchen . . .

Just some thoughts :P

Politica

I fly 3-4 days a week for my job as a flight attendant, and I pack a soft sided lunch cooler with me.  I pack it with ice packs, and when those melt, I use an ice pack you can fill with ice and it does not leak.  Those you can find in the first aid section at Wal-Mart.  And I pack chicken breasts, avocado, celery, bell peppers, fruits, I ration out a can of black beans in smaller containers, I cut up strawberries, I boil eggs for egg whites, I pack oatmeal, soup, yogurt, apples, oranges, carrots, hummus, etc.  You name it.  You just have to be creative.  Every hotel has a microwave you can use.  Sometimes they will even give you a room with a fridge and a microwave.  You can cut anything with a plastic knive.  I haven't eaten out in 4 years.  It can be done.  You will not only save a ton of money, but you will lose the weight.  I'm not as social with my crews because of this but they understand.  Anyway, the more you do it, the more creative you will become.  It's literally become a "part-time" job for me to keep up with my food, but it's worth it!

My advice is to get the book "Eat this, not that". It gives you alot of options when it comes to eating out. Not necessarily all salads and rabbit food, just the healthier options. I found it extremely informative!

itslovelly- i hear you. I'm a consultant living out of a hotel room 3 nights a week and find eating right very difficult, especially since i'm veggie. Breakfast is ok- i gen eat the oatmeal, boiled eggs, fruit at the hotel. lunch is a salad without dressing, beans/eggs, yogurt. dinner is where i struggle. i just make speacial requests for room service - order steamed veggies and boiled eggs on the side. i'ts reallly boring- but i dont know what else to do!  I make it a point not to eat dessert or drink while travelling (which is hard since its all on the client expense ;) )

i carry my granola bars, nuts with me but thats it. i really dont have the time to cook or do anytihng besides work during the 4 days on the client site.

How do you guys get things like yogurt, soup, etc. through security when you can't carry on any liquids, gels etc. that are more than 3.2 oz?