Regardless of whether your goals are to lose weight, gain weight, eat more healthfully, or adhere to a food program that works for YOUR needs, (vegan, gluten-free, sugar free, etc.) the single best tip I can offer, is to travel WITH food and drink. If I am going to be gone from my house for 3 hours or more, I always have food in my purse, gym bag or car. Ok, I have even been known to carry my own “cream cheese” with me when going out for breakfast–it’s challenging for a vegan to eat at many restaurants, and what’s my bagel without some “cream cheese.” And just for the record, Tofutti cream cheese is a really, really great alternative to the real thing, unlike many other vegan items that though I totally enjoy, taste nothing like the real thing.
Carrying snacks like portioned out nuts, fruits, peanut-butter and even sandwiches is a great way to stay in control of YOUR food choices, while definitely saving money, as well. I never leave home without my refillable bottle of water and will bring additional bottled water in a cooler, if I am going to be gone for any length of time. We should ALL be traveling with water–all the time–especially during a hot summer like the one we are in the midst of most everywhere!
It’s good to know that there are some healthy choices we can make at fast food places and I just learned that Burger King has a veggie burger (though I would guess they use eggs in the bun, but I would have to check on that—I haven’t personally been inside a Burger King in many decades). Starbucks tends to have some nice “clean” choices and at places like Subway you can load up on veggies. You can tweak your Chipotle dish to include lots of beans, grilled veggies and guacamole, skipping the white rice and sour cream…and of course, if you must, you can add some chicken.
I still think food from the outside is probably really high in sodium, so whenever possible, stock up your car, your purse, your pockets, your desk drawer, your office fridge or your own personal portable cooler. Your waistline, your heart and your wallet will all thank you!
Tell us what kind of foods you travel with to stick to your health goals…
Great idea, we do the same! I feel like a walking 7eleven without the ices and coffee!! My daughter is a very picky eater(healthy one!) She loves elevation burger…………..they make it without the bun an into lettuce!! I try teaching them if it’s not healthy or brown grain don’t waste your time eating it! Try to consume what helps you then hurt you! Have a happy Monday~
Sheri…with kids there is a whole lot more food to bring along. I love that your daughter loves elevation burger! I love that they are one place I can get a vegan burger on the run!
I always travel with rice cakes (plain, no salt), miniature wholewheat bread stix (low in carbs), almonds. or fruit – of course water.
Shell–you left a bag of those mini breadsticks at my house, and I ate three of them with my hummus last night…they are a great tip! Satisfying, without killing calories or carbs! Thanks!
I was one of those people that tughoht I would never be a Vegan, and then I had a heart attack when I was 40. My wife found your blog, as well as several others and and we started to read up on going plant based and being Vegan. My heart disease went away, and I will now be around for my children. My children will not have to get the disease that almost killed me. Now we eat things like tofu. Sure, I get shit for it, but I also know that all of those people will one day have to make a decision between getting over themselves and learning for themselves and changing what they eat. Again, thank you for all you wrote this year