How Do You Manage Your Diet While Vacationing?

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:37 pm

Polly just mentioned that she went away for the weekend, and it raised this question in my mind. All of my vacations since my Dx have been to visit DD. I just pack a food suitcase and shop for the remaining food items when I arrive.

Travel, however, requires a different strategy. I need to keep some items refrigerated and I need to eat most meals out.

With summer quickly approaching (finally!), it might be helpful to share what we do to maintain our diets while vacationing. So what do you do?

Gloria

CAMary · Post by **CAMary** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:14 pm

Well, since I don't have multiple intolerances, I find it not at all difficult! I can find something at *almost* any restaurant - it may not be exciting, but it works! It is easy to ask for a plain grilled chicken breast or burger minus the bun or a salad (no croutons!) with just oil and vinegar. I've also been known to bring in my own dressing in my purse...

However most of our vacations involve camping - so I menu plan (we go with friends) and we work from there. This summer we are (hopefully - unless employment status changes around here!) planning to go to Hawaii. As a cost-saver, as well as making my dietary needs less of a hassle, we are staying in a suite with a kitchenette...

Mexican retaurants tend to be good for GFers - I can eat boatloads of tortilla chips and salsa and guacamole - I love the places that make guacamole tableside - then you can be sure it is made from fresh, whole avocados and there is no question as to whether it is safe...

I've even found at parties/visits to the in-laws etc. there is always a veggie tray (avoid the dip!) or fruit available to snack on...I also bring my own crackers and add cheese or whatever....over time it has become more-doable. And I feel there is much greater awareness of food intolerances than when I was diagnosed 9 years ago...

Mary

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue May 05, 2009 5:42 am

Morning Gloria,

Well I always vacation by renting a home where I am going and tend to only eat out once or twice in a week and then it is just to be sociable. I pack all the food to go and since I enjoy cooking so much, it is not a trial to cook while I am away.

Sorry I can't be more helpful than that.

Love, Maggie

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:08 am

Gloria,

I pack a cooler and bring my own food. Usually when we go out to eat, if there is nothing I can eat, Bill and the kids eat and I bring a can of tuna or eat back at the hotel. I always book something with a frig. Since I don't travel much, when we do it is usually to my parents house or my in-laws so the kids can see their grandparents.

Love,

Rose

artteacher · Post by **artteacher** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:46 pm

Hi Gloria,

Good question! If when we traveled to England, we went to a grocery store and bought fresh fruit, canned fruit, and canned baby food to keep in the car. That way, if I can't eat the restaurant food, I have some backup foods that don't take refrigeration. Safe things to eat in a restaurant might be ham, hash browns (if they're fried in oil, not butter), baked potato with salsa or bacon bits, salad with oil and vinegar, french fries.

When I take calcium before meals, I eat almost anything I want as long as it doesn't have dairy in it. BUT I still try not to hog wild with forbidden foods.

Marsha

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Tue May 05, 2009 7:21 pm

Gloria,

I am experiencing this this Thurs and Fri. I am going to the State Dental Convention. I get my continuing education hours there and so it is most important that I go. I probably could drive back and forth but since our children have gone off to college I usually stay in a hotel and avoid the driving in traffic and it is over an hour one way. I am packing my own food. I have found our local grocery carries house brand canned chicken that has chicken, water, and salt only as the ingredients. I made the reservations months ago and didn't pick one with a kitchen so I am creating my own. I will take an ice chest and we have a small camping cook stove so I can cook my buckwheat cereal and heat up some chicken tenders that I will cook at home. For lunch I have a cute monogramed small insulated lunch carrier which I will pack my food in. Dinner I will fix in the hotel and join the others while they eat in a restaurant. Hopefully I can handle it for two days.

Pat