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

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
https://youtu.be/dbuOli4E0Oc

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

@contentandwell

Great suggestions so far. I would love to be able to share a dessert with my husband but he never feels like desserts in restaurants, although at home I generally have to have something for him every night, like an apple turnover, or a Haagen Daaz ice cream bar.

I have learned the value of staying in VRBOs and Airbnbs. If anyone chooses to check them out my best advice would be to really read the reviews from past renters. We have had fabulous to really bad. The really bad one had no reviews but it sounded so ideal for what we needed that we took the chance. I have also stayed in Residence Inns. They have an included buffet breakfast but I find that there are enough things that are not exposed to airborne germs that it will work for me -- one of them made omelets to order, there's always bananas, yogurt, things of that nature. I have wondered about toast or bagels that you put in the toaster -- would that kill germs? -- but so far have not done that.

I do try to order things where sodium can be limited, never get soups, and sometimes bring along a little container of my own salad dressing because it is lower in sodium. I love a couple of Braswell dressings -- the Vidalia onion and the raspberry -- and although they do not make a claim on the label about being low sodium, they are. I always check salad dressing labels for sodium. I don't even bother with commercial soups anymore.

Flavored water is good to bring along, I like Hint a lot. Of course you cannot bring it into a restaurant. Also, make sure if you are dining in a restaurant and get water that they do not put any citrus slices in it. Those fruit are often not washed. I always specify NO LEMON OR LIME SLICE.

@lelia CL, you put olive oil on oatmeal? Sounds interesting. I generally have oatmeal a few times a week and a new variation would be great. Now I generally put some nuts in, cinnamon, and fruit. What do you put in with the olive oil? A savory preparation would be a nice change.
JK

Jump to this post

The Pompeian Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil is not savory but a slight bit sweet even though there is no sugar (olive juice) in it. I dribble some on the oatmeal after I dish it up and then sprinkle the oatmeal liberally with cinnamon. It is delicious. I like it better than the cow's milk I used to be able to use. I also tried the above olive oil in a shortbread cookie recipe (left out the sugar) and it was delicious. Have also used it in regular cooking - frying, etc. So, this is a very versatile oil. The extra virgin is also good and that would be ideal for a savory dish.

REPLY
@gingerw

These are all great tips regardless whether you're traveling for medical care or not! Got to love the Connect people and all of their hints.
Ginger

Jump to this post

Same here!

REPLY
@lelia

The Pompeian Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil is not savory but a slight bit sweet even though there is no sugar (olive juice) in it. I dribble some on the oatmeal after I dish it up and then sprinkle the oatmeal liberally with cinnamon. It is delicious. I like it better than the cow's milk I used to be able to use. I also tried the above olive oil in a shortbread cookie recipe (left out the sugar) and it was delicious. Have also used it in regular cooking - frying, etc. So, this is a very versatile oil. The extra virgin is also good and that would be ideal for a savory dish.

Jump to this post

@lelia thanks, I will definitely try it. I do only have the extra virgin but I think you could probably make it more savory using that and perhaps some freshly grated hard cheese.
JK

REPLY

I’m a 72 year old female who has stage 3 kidney disease. I think that’s what this is about? Since I also have traumatic brain injury, can’t remember and looking at the replies it doesn’t say. Anyway when I go out to a resturant I bring my own dressing and sometimes pack raw cabbage cauliflower, red bell peppers etc all cut up. I know that’s good for the kidneys. I try to stick to only 2 oz. of protein for each meal. Since my potassium is high my nephrologist told me to avoid bananas, tomatoes, oranges and I think avacados? It seems to me a kidney diet is not eating many healthy things, please correct me as to specifics if I’m not correct.
I pack up a meal like maybe salad with maybe 2oz. Chicken salad or tuna salad on my alas. Lots of water. I probably drink too much decaf coffee, although black no sugar. I’m allergic to all forms of sugar. Wow it’s diffi since flour turns to sugar, so no sugar or flour in addition to what to eat for my kidneys. Any help, suggestions would be appreciated. I also have a fib etc. COPD diabetes and Lyme disease Thanks for reading.

REPLY

Good morning, @carnes, this is @mamacita, a Volunteer Mentor for Mayo Clinic Connect and also a patient with many years of drug therapy and diet modifications under my belt Seems to me we have a lot in common, even though my kidneys are one of the few things that are not doing too badly. Much of the rest of this 66 year old body has been through the ringer. Old age is so much fun!!! I, too, share your misery regarding food choices when one is traveling and must eat at restaurants. I have yoyo dieted all my life, trying to lose weight, and now that I am also Type Two Diabetic, it is very important that I eat healthy. Feet and eyesight are not optional for me, plus I have a young teen to raise.

So, here's what has helped me, in making choices at a restaurant. Everyone has salads, just about. I always tell them to have the dressing on the side, leave off the bacon, and no croutons. When Cracker Barrel asks if I want biscuits, or cornbread muffins, I tell them neither. (Most of the time! Ha!) I am also Gluten Free, as you may have noticed earlier in our conversation. I am Autistic and I have found that restricting my carbohydrate level to what naturally occurs in vegetables and nuts, is all the carbines I need. My anxiety levels are way down, I think more clearly, and I am able to withstand stressors much more easily. All restaurents provide baked or broiled fish and chicken, even beef. Now, fast food is another story. But there again I can choose a salad, and some places even have unbreaded chicken nuggets. Takes a while to get used to unbreaded items, because they taste so good Aaugh!

I go by the Autism Cookbook for recipes that are super healthy for at home use, as well as the keto diet cookbook Everyday Ketogenic Kitchen. Work closely with your good doctors. See if some of these suggestions might help you. They have helped me tremendously. What works for one does not necessarily work for others. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I also have a brain injury from a fall, twice. My x-rays were horrible to look at. But I recovered greatly from that and I try to challenge myself every day. I know my memory is not what it used to be but I work hard to stay as organized as possible. For the rest, grace covers it. You and I can be useful and live a happy life in spite of our mountains that loom in front of us. We can do this! We are better together! Love and light,

Mamacita

REPLY
@carnes

I’m a 72 year old female who has stage 3 kidney disease. I think that’s what this is about? Since I also have traumatic brain injury, can’t remember and looking at the replies it doesn’t say. Anyway when I go out to a resturant I bring my own dressing and sometimes pack raw cabbage cauliflower, red bell peppers etc all cut up. I know that’s good for the kidneys. I try to stick to only 2 oz. of protein for each meal. Since my potassium is high my nephrologist told me to avoid bananas, tomatoes, oranges and I think avacados? It seems to me a kidney diet is not eating many healthy things, please correct me as to specifics if I’m not correct.
I pack up a meal like maybe salad with maybe 2oz. Chicken salad or tuna salad on my alas. Lots of water. I probably drink too much decaf coffee, although black no sugar. I’m allergic to all forms of sugar. Wow it’s diffi since flour turns to sugar, so no sugar or flour in addition to what to eat for my kidneys. Any help, suggestions would be appreciated. I also have a fib etc. COPD diabetes and Lyme disease Thanks for reading.

Jump to this post

@carnes Hi, you seem to be doing great in your dietary restrictions. Going out to restaurants can be challenging but it can be done, and when I go out I do sometimes cheat a little bit. If I do that only once in a great while I am OK.
My restrictions are primarily sodium, carbohydrates, and I try to keep fats low. Recently fresh vegetables and fruits have come into question so I am working on figuring that out. It can be so difficult to isolate what is causing problems.
I didn't know that flour turns to sugar! I do know of course that it is carb-heavy so I watch what carbs I eat fairly closely and stick with whole wheat ones and oatmeal. I am mildly diabetic.
If what you are doing is working for you I would just continue with it, it sounds like you have it well under control.
JK

REPLY
@carnes

I’m a 72 year old female who has stage 3 kidney disease. I think that’s what this is about? Since I also have traumatic brain injury, can’t remember and looking at the replies it doesn’t say. Anyway when I go out to a resturant I bring my own dressing and sometimes pack raw cabbage cauliflower, red bell peppers etc all cut up. I know that’s good for the kidneys. I try to stick to only 2 oz. of protein for each meal. Since my potassium is high my nephrologist told me to avoid bananas, tomatoes, oranges and I think avacados? It seems to me a kidney diet is not eating many healthy things, please correct me as to specifics if I’m not correct.
I pack up a meal like maybe salad with maybe 2oz. Chicken salad or tuna salad on my alas. Lots of water. I probably drink too much decaf coffee, although black no sugar. I’m allergic to all forms of sugar. Wow it’s diffi since flour turns to sugar, so no sugar or flour in addition to what to eat for my kidneys. Any help, suggestions would be appreciated. I also have a fib etc. COPD diabetes and Lyme disease Thanks for reading.

Jump to this post

How does your lyme disease effect your other health problems

REPLY
@contentandwell

@carnes Hi, you seem to be doing great in your dietary restrictions. Going out to restaurants can be challenging but it can be done, and when I go out I do sometimes cheat a little bit. If I do that only once in a great while I am OK.
My restrictions are primarily sodium, carbohydrates, and I try to keep fats low. Recently fresh vegetables and fruits have come into question so I am working on figuring that out. It can be so difficult to isolate what is causing problems.
I didn't know that flour turns to sugar! I do know of course that it is carb-heavy so I watch what carbs I eat fairly closely and stick with whole wheat ones and oatmeal. I am mildly diabetic.
If what you are doing is working for you I would just continue with it, it sounds like you have it well under control.
JK

Jump to this post

@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

REPLY
@contentandwell

@carnes Hi, you seem to be doing great in your dietary restrictions. Going out to restaurants can be challenging but it can be done, and when I go out I do sometimes cheat a little bit. If I do that only once in a great while I am OK.
My restrictions are primarily sodium, carbohydrates, and I try to keep fats low. Recently fresh vegetables and fruits have come into question so I am working on figuring that out. It can be so difficult to isolate what is causing problems.
I didn't know that flour turns to sugar! I do know of course that it is carb-heavy so I watch what carbs I eat fairly closely and stick with whole wheat ones and oatmeal. I am mildly diabetic.
If what you are doing is working for you I would just continue with it, it sounds like you have it well under control.
JK

Jump to this post

I love salads, but because of all the outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella, I’m nervous about eating them.

REPLY
@cmael

I love salads, but because of all the outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella, I’m nervous about eating them.

Jump to this post

@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

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.