Introduction
We’ve all been there, it’s time to hit the road and we are nowhere near ready. We finish packing in a rush, get the car loaded up and speed off toward the airport with no thought given to what we are going to eat for the next 2-7 days while we are away. Or we think that traveling=vacation from our “overly strict” low carb diet plan.
Prepare your traveling low carb diet plan ahead of time
As a refesher, check out the basic NRG diet guidelines and ideal meal proportions here
- what/where to eat while traveling (in the car, at the airport, etc)
- what/where to eat while at destination
- what foods need to be purchased and/or prepared ahead of time
- what to do in case of an emergency
Taking a minute to sit down and actually write out this simple plan will help you solidify both your plan of attack and create an additional level of commitment to sticking to the plan once it is set in motion.
What to eat while traveling
If you are road tripping, convenient foods to eat in the car are essential. These types of foods typically fall under the snack food umbrella. Luckily, there are a ton of ideal snack type foods that are NRG approved.
Two key components of a solid snack attack plan is proper prep and proper storage. Small ziplock bags are a godsend for prepping foods and packing them in snack size portions. To store your food grab a small cooler to keep your food fresh for longer periods of time.
Straight off the shelf options:
- Dry roasted nuts (almonds, cashews, macadamia, etc)
- Nut and fruit bars (Lara bar, Go Raw, Standard Bars)
- Jerky without sweeteners or MSG (Tanka Bar, US Wellness Meats , Sheltons)
- Plain pork rinds
With a little prep:
- hard boiled eggs
- peanut butter celery boats
- cream cheese celery boats
- apple slices and cheese
- turkey and pesto rolls
A combination of these foods can easily keep you going all day while on a road trip or even while switching planes at the airport. The key is to have them prepped and ready before hand.
What to eat at your destination
- Avoid complementary bread and chips
- No sweet drinks (regular or diet soda, sweet tea, lemonade or fruit juice)
- Choose grilled meats over battered and deep fried
- Avoid pasta and rice
- Always substitute veggies or a side salad for french fries as a side
- Watch the portion size. Most restaurants pack 2-3 meals of food onto one giant plate. Consider splitting the meal or having half of it packaged to go before they bring it to the table
Full meal salads are an excellent way to stay on track and are available at almost all restaurants.
If you won’t be eating out as much, here are a couple of non-cook meal ideas that should be available at most grocery stores:
- Rotisserie chicken with a bagged salad and olive oil based dressing
- Premade full-meal salad in the deli section
If you are staying with friends or family, you may need to have a conversation up front about your food preferences. There is potential for a little back lash so try to word it in a way that lets them know how hard you have been working and how much it means to you to stay on track.
In case of emergency
Conclusion
Eating right is hard enough as it is and eating right while on the road can be darn near impossible. But with the right planning and preparation you can easily and effectively set yourself up for success.
And remember, these tips don’t just apply to travelers, they are just as applicable to busy people and will keep the metabolic monsters away in the inevitable time crunch.