Travel and eating out a lot... 4 weeks out.

[Chunky]

I am heading on vacation with my family for a week. I will be four weeks out on Tuesday and can start with soft foods then. I leave tomorrow for the trip.

I have packed my magic bullet, measuring cups, protein powder for a morning shake, etc. We are renting a house and breakfast will be there each morning, at least for me. I plan to have cottage cheese with protein, plain greek yogurt with protein, or most likely a protein shake. This way I can get a decent portion in right away.

But I worry about what to eat out -- I am not too worried about hunger, but I do know that I cannot bring my own food to most places, unless we are on a picnic. So, I can share with my kids or husband - and starting Tuesday, with soft foods, it should be easier. But, I'd love help and ideas.

For now, I end up eating mainly soup when out. But it is hard to get protein that way. If at a deli, I can get tuna. If at a nicer restaurant, I am not sure... Maybe a small amount of fish? What else? I am a little nervous since it is 7 days, plus tomorrow as a travel day. Thoughts?

Carrying a cooler everywhere won't be possible.

[Chunky]

Oh and on the plus side, I will NOT have a scale, so, I won't be able to micro manage my weight. I think this will be helpful, unless I get back a week later and weigh the same. But since I only can fit 1/4- 1/3 a cup or so each meal, it certainly won't be from eating too much if I do not lose. Crossing fingers since I will be way more active, that I have great results when I return.

[Joe Poppa]

Can your surgeon write a note stating you are on a very restrictive diet following your surgery and you can bring in your own pre-mixed protein shakes?
Contact the customer relations dept of the attraction you will be visiting and explain it to them, I am sure they wouldn't mind losing out for the cost of food for one person instead of losing out on all the money your family will be spending there. The same thing should hold true for restaurants.

[Chunky]

It's not an attraction but moreso a small town

Plus I am hoping to learn how to eat out - not just have protein shakes. I will have those each morning so I get 1/2 my protein in right off the bat.

I just need to start navigating what to do when out -- besides that.

Can your surgeon write a note stating you are on a very restrictive diet following your surgery and you can bring in your own pre-mixed protein shakes?
Contact the customer relations dept of the attraction you will be visiting and explain it to them, I am sure they wouldn't mind losing out for the cost of food for one person instead of losing out on all the money your family will be spending there. The same thing should hold true for restaurants.

[Shalon]

I know how ya feel, I ate mostly mashed potatos or soup until I figured it out. Does your nut include cheeses in their soft food category? mine did, so that opened up mozzarella sticks, they have a high-ish fat content, but also a good protein count. Most restaurants also have either a paper or an electronic nutritional guide available, and there's several good apps for finding nutritious restaurant options. like myfitness pal, fooducate, and 'restaurant nutrition" That last is a favorite of mine since you don't have to type in what you're already eating to find out the facts but can just look at the menu on the app. Olive Garden is fantastic about providing a paper nutritional guide if you ask for it, (btw, at the amounts you can eat, soup is OFTEN the highest protein option, think about it, the item has 20g of protein, but you can't eat more than 1/3 of it. the soup has 20-30 g in a cup and you can eat that fine)

[Ima Fox]

Since you can eat soft food, you'll have a lot of options. You can also ask you Dr. for a card stating you've had bariatric surgery & should be allowed to order from the kid's menu. You can eat half a baked potato or mashed sweet potatoes, baked fish, mushy broccoli or green beans....Really almost anything that isn't hard. Cut it up very finely & chew it to a liquid. The food world is finally opening up for us. Have fun on your vacation.

[rhill2901]

I don't eat out like I use to. Eating out is for people with weight problems or those who are going to have weight problems :/ I have a problem with the portion sizes at restaurants. even the childs meals are so big. I blame society for convincing us that a big meal served is the way to go. Restaurants only do it because they can charge you more, look all the food you get for $10!!! why not give me half for $5?

I need to find somebody who has the gastric sleeve so we can share meals when we go out :P

[Deejaycee76]

Eating out is something we can still do. And it's still an important thing that we shouldn't be afraid of doing. Order food. Don't worry too much about what it is, because you have that little tool that will keep you in check.
I went to lunch with my buddy yesterday at red robin...red robin, bottomless fries...yeah. I looked and ordered their house name burger. It has an egg on it. Figured, ok, protein blast. Ate a 1/3rd of it and a few sweet potato fries. Boxed up the rest. Wasn't any diet ending ordeal....couldn't hardly eat anything

[lgutenberg]

I travel for work, and often eat out by myself as well as with business associates. I sometimes order an appetizer and other times order a side salad and add salmon or chicken. You can do it, just make good choices with what you have for options.

[rhill2901]

Eating out is something we can still do. And it's still an important thing that we shouldn't be afraid of doing. Order food. Don't worry too much about what it is, because you have that little tool that will keep you in check.
I went to lunch with my buddy yesterday at red robin...red robin, bottomless fries...yeah. I looked and ordered their house name burger. It has an egg on it. Figured, ok, protein blast. Ate a 1/3rd of it and a few sweet potato fries. Boxed up the rest. Wasn't any diet ending ordeal....couldn't hardly eat anything

Yep. I enjoy eating out, but the quantity is excessive. I eat about 1/3rd of it also, and take home the rest of it. I have left overs in the refrigerator from last week lol. This morning, I got up and threw most of it away. I can't keep up.

Linda, I travel for work also, and am not too worried about what I take in. My energy level is so high, that its like it was when I was in my early 20's, I can eat practically anything and won't gain any weight. I think primarily is because the fullness happens so quickly.

As an example, I'll get 2 krystals and a small fry. I eat one krystal and about half the fries and I get full. I doubt thats enough food to last me for 1/3 of the day....

[rhill2901]

It's not an attraction but moreso a small town

Plus I am hoping to learn how to eat out - not just have protein shakes. I will have those each morning so I get 1/2 my protein in right off the bat.

I just need to start navigating what to do when out -- besides that.

I think eating out is more about the entertainment value then trying to stay alive. Never forget how we got in our dilemma in the first place...

[Terps]

I went on vacation around 4 -5 weeks post op. I was surrounded by yummy food and drink. I had yogurt for breakfast and soft fish for lunch and dinner. Fish filled me up very quickly!! I even splurged and had a few bites of ice cream. Vacation where food wasn't the center was a new experience for me. I was very active, enjoyed time with my family, smiled so much my face hurt and lost weight during it all!! You can do it, just a little planning (which you are already doing) and thought is all it's takes. Enjoy!!

[llburbach]

I love cream of wheat for breakfast and mashed potatoes and gravy is always good. I think you will be surprised once you are out having fun, food will not be a problem.

Laura

[rhill2901]

I love cream of wheat for breakfast and mashed potatoes and gravy is always good. I think you will be surprised once you are out having fun, food will not be a problem.

Laura

what is cream of wheat anyways Us southern folk love our grits

[llburbach]

what is cream of wheat anyways Us southern folk love our grits

It is like grits.....only better. Lol