Hi everyone,

I am going on my first trip since having my surgery at the end of November. At this point my meal plan includes most foods, but I’m anticipating having some challenges with meeting my goals and tracking. I’m planning to bring some protein bars to have with me as I don’t think much time will be spent at the hotel - I’ll be sight seeing most of the day. I’m flying so can’t bring any protein shakes with me and won’t have a kitchen to do any cooking. Does anyone have any travel tips?

protein bars are good to take. I used to sometimes take beef jerky and cheese sticks with me, too (they can be out of refrigeration for quite awhile - as in hours if not a day or so). Once you're there, you may be able to find a grocery or convenience store that has things like yogurt, cheese sticks, etc.

You can always drink milk and milkshakes in place of protein shakes. Cheese, deli meat and yogurts are easily sourced too.

I usually travel by car but I travel quite a bit as a freelance video producer that takes marathon road trips with a lot of ground to cover.

Before I check in my first night when I arrive somewhere, I will hit a local grocery store and pick up some things like sugar-free yogurt, string cheese, lunchmeat, grape tomatoes, etc and keep it in the fridge in my room so I'm not tempted to grab something from the breakfast buffet or door-dash late night junk to my room because I didn't prepare properly. After a day or two, if I don't take care of my business I can FEEL it, and the last time I took a trip where I didn't do what I needed to do, my husband said I looked visibly tired and weak when I got home.

My biggest issue when traveling is not eating enough fresh veggies and fruits so at least once a day I try to find somewhere decent I can get a healthy salad or at least something like a green smoothie or something. I know better than to try to eat carbs on the go, but my downfall when I'm in "the travel zone" is living on meat snacks/cheese and therefore too much sodium and not enough vitamins and minerals.

I also make liberal use of little plastic condiment cups with lids for organizing my supplements and vitamins (I even use them to portion out my collagen powder into individual servings.). I put all of them inside a freezer bag and then all I have to do is grab one each morning/evening.

3 hours ago, summerseeker said:

You can always drink milk and milkshakes in place of Protein Shakes. cheese, deli meat and yogurts are easily sourced too.

Not necessarily, assuming you're referring to a 'typical' milkshake as opposed to a special, low-sugar version. If they're someone who dumps, a milkshake is an almost surefire way to end up dumping. They're full of sugar and go straight through you.

how about protein powders that you can mix up with water when u get there? ?and even on the plane).

i used to also bring along bags of beef jerky and chicharron (i.e., pork rinds/cracklins). The latter is high in protein but also really high in calories and fat, so depends on your plan.

15 minutes ago, pintsizedmallrat said:

Sorry didn't think I needed to explain more explicitly. In Europe we can get sugar free/ made with fruit and milk, milkshakes in every supermarket. Lots of cafes will make a fruit milkshake as a norm to your instructions. [esp. vegetarian and vegan cafes]

Not necessarily, assuming you're referring to a 'typical' milkshake as opposed to a special, low-sugar version. If they're someone who dumps, a milkshake is an almost surefire way to end up dumping. They're full of sugar and go straight through you.

I have been on 3 trips since my surgery at the end of November, I always bring powdered protein shake usually unflavored and some fruit one to mix with crystal light. I do take some premier shakes, you can pass them through security and they will do an extra screening, have not had an issue with them, only once they asked and I told them I recently had surgery but they will assume you are diabetic. Once at location I purchased baby bel cheese and greek yogurt to supplement with the shakes and the rest of the meals were just sharing an appetizer or splitting a meal and taking leftovers for the next day.

5 hours ago, summerseeker said:

I suppose I should be apologizing for my lack of culture in that case; I live in the US and what you're describing, we usually call a "smoothie" and a milkshake is a sugary item made with mostly ice cream. Typical American swine BS, I know, but that's the words we use.

Edited February 13, 20233 yr by pintsizedmallrat

Haha I didn't understand what you were saying PSMR - I live in Europe too - here a milkshake is milk and fruit and whatever else you fancy adding - you're right - in the USA that IS a smoothie!!

I'm voting for your filling up the hotel fridge on arrival. I travel for work sometimes too and I have taken to what I call 'hotel picnics' with a vengeance since my surgery! Deli meats and babybels and other cheese are my saviours, along with fruit. When I can eat proper meals in the hotel or elsewhere I go for salads every time. Protein bars as a backup sound a great idea too.

It's really good to think about this stuff well in advance - I didn't and I remember my first work trip after surgery, just landing in this godforsaken hotel and thinking 'waaaaah, there's nothing here I can eat!!' There ALWAYS is - just needs a bit of planning and creative thinking. Best of luck OP!