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How do you stick to your dietary plan when traveling for medical care?

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Dec 18, 2018

Wanted: Your best tips.
Sticking to diet requirements or restrictions can be a challenge at the best of times. But what about when you have to travel for medical care? I'm looking for your tips and tricks about how you plan ahead. Feel free to also share the challenges you haven't yet been able to overcome. I bet another member will have a solution. Let's share.

What special planning do you do to help stick to accommodate your dietary needs while travelling?

The video your comments created

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JK | @contentandwell | Dec 23, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "@contentandwell Because I follow my diet so closely, when I eat out I sometimes loosen the..." + (show)
@gingerw

@contentandwell Because I follow my diet so closely, when I eat out I sometimes loosen the reins a bit. This has two aftereffects. I don't feel good because I changed up what my body is used to [and helps to remind me to stay on track!]. The second is that sometimes people don't realize that meal is way out of norm for me, and think it is my usual fare. The other day after having bloodwork done, and a 14 hr fast in preparation for it, I treated myself to breakfast that included a bit of ham, and breakfast potatoes, both on my forbidden list.
Ginger

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@gingerw When I do indulge in something that I do not regularly eat it generally does not bother me. The only thing that does is fried food. I can eat a very small amount of it, but not much at all. Oh, and anything with much sodium. I really feel the fluid retention in my body.
JK

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jodeej | @jodeej | Dec 24, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "@cmael Romaine was my lettuce of choice but I doubt that after it has had problems..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@cmael Romaine was my lettuce of choice but I doubt that after it has had problems three times, I will ever eat it again. I have been buying green leaf and red leaf, and Boston lettuce. Almost anything other than iceberg.
My daughter immediately said, when the second Romaine problem happened, that it could be "the end of the romaine empire". I think she might be right.
JK

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We've been staying away from romaine also, sadly. I'm still wary of buying lettuce at all.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Dec 24, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "We've been staying away from romaine also, sadly. I'm still wary of buying lettuce at all." + (show)
@jodeej

We've been staying away from romaine also, sadly. I'm still wary of buying lettuce at all.

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@jodeej I am buying the other types but I figure the next time romaine has a problem I don't want to be the person who has a reaction and becomes one of the cases that causes them to take romaine off the shelves. I wonder why it is always romaine though. It does seem rather odd.
JK

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 10, 2020

People who have been there get it. That's why tips like you shared in this discussion are so useful and usable for other patients and caregivers like you. In fact, we made a video capturing your top tips. Here's the video that YOU made. It is published on YouTube and was published on Mayo Clinic's app and through social media. Please share it with your networks. It's great advice: For patients by patients.

Thank you!

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engelee | @engelee | Sep 6, 2020

I have to follow the BRAT diet all the time or diarrhea comes right back ( colostomy, uroconduit& Hartman’s pouch). So, we don’t travel except to Mayo’s and we don’t stop for food.we pack a cooler and make it there in 8 hours. Extremely hard on me . This year, for first time had to delay my visit because flying ( our usual mode) was not safe. I feel I run on very little nutrition. Take chewable vitamin and others I’ve taken regularly. Rice is staple for lunch.

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Lagrange 5 | @lagrange5 | Sep 6, 2020

When I go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, I always stay with the Kahler Grand Hotel across the street. It has a history as a medical hotel. The Grand Grille Restaurant in the lobby serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it will accommodate your dietary needs. For dinner, I always ask for my favorite waitress, Rose. She is completely helpful for any dietary restrictions you may have. She is also a very sweet lady.

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1 reply
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Sep 6, 2020
In reply to @lagrange5 "When I go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, I always stay with the Kahler Grand..." + (show)
@lagrange5

When I go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, I always stay with the Kahler Grand Hotel across the street. It has a history as a medical hotel. The Grand Grille Restaurant in the lobby serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it will accommodate your dietary needs. For dinner, I always ask for my favorite waitress, Rose. She is completely helpful for any dietary restrictions you may have. She is also a very sweet lady.

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@lagrange5 - I agree! I spent a week in Rochester- I usually go to Jacksonville- and I also stayed at the Kahler Hotel. First of all, they were able to offer me a single room- not big, but perfect for my purpose. I was also very pleased with the restaurant- easy to find something that would agree with me.

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mariajean03 | @mariajean03 | Sep 21, 2020
In reply to @ahayes "I pack my food and stay in AirBnBs when traveling so I can cook food that..." + (show)
@ahayes

I pack my food and stay in AirBnBs when traveling so I can cook food that doesn't make me sick. When we have a long day at the hospital or driving to clinic (we live a 3 hour drive from the hospital where my doctors are located) I pack a lunch for both my husband and I. I often get nervous before my appointments so I am lucky that I eat/pack whatever sounds good just to get calories in.

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I have a seven hour drive one way for bunion surgery. i do have to stay overnite. What is a URUBS? Thanks.

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wickenburger | @wickenburger | Sep 23, 2020
In reply to @jodeej "My husband doesn't have any restrictions, but by staying at Gift of Life, or any similar..." + (show)
@jodeej

My husband doesn't have any restrictions, but by staying at Gift of Life, or any similar type place, you can shop and cook our own food. This not only saves money but allows you to cook as you need to without having to find restaurants that will accommodate you. You also remove the temptations.

Blessings,
JoDee

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I take a snack or two to keep me from getting to hungry. Green grapes or yogurt. We travel by car now during Covid. So a little insulated bag helps
I stick to my limited diet
Oatmeal in am. Scrambled eggs for lunch and a nice meal at dinner. Staying limited makes shopping easier My labs stay good I continue to loose weight slowly. And I do cheat for a special event. I use the mental strength that I received from a quote I read from Ivanka Trump she said basically it made her feel powerful when she was hungry and could control her hunger until meal time. With a small sip of water you can make it. I have lost 40 lbs over 4 yrs

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 23, 2020
In reply to @mariajean03 "I have a seven hour drive one way for bunion surgery. i do have to stay..." + (show)
@mariajean03

I have a seven hour drive one way for bunion surgery. i do have to stay overnite. What is a URUBS? Thanks.

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@mariajean03, I think you are asking "What is AirBnB?" which autocorrect messed up. AirBnB are short term rental by owners of homes, apartments etc. You can visit their website to learn more.

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