I have my first business trip scheduled to France in the beginning of June. I'll be just shy of 2 months post op by then. Any tips or tricks to calm the nerves on food and what to bring? Its a short trip and I am a frequent flyer but the first trip after a major change like this can be nerve-wracking!

How long has it been since your surgery? If you're months out I definitely reccomend taking protein bars with you, like Quest Bars or protein snacks like The Only Bean Crunchy Roasted Edamame beans. They're easy to carry, convenient, your protein intake will be taken care of!

@qtdoll it will be about 2 months when I leave for my trip so I’ll get some of those snacks. Thanks for the tips!

I just recommend that you try the foods before packing them, you never know how your new tummy will handle these things.

Soups are always a good/semi safe go to.

Pack your favorite protein powder and once you have been able to try a few snacks and know what you handle pack those too.

You got this, it will just take a little more prep!

I am in Greece at the moment and am surprised by how much protein focused items that are available in the supermarkets. I am having some delicious protein yogurts that are way better than at home. I don't do shakes but there are masses of them here too. Good quality brands too. I am sure that France will be the same. You will get good soups like consommé and, fish and stews. Omelettes, eggs cheese and milk are great go to foods. Enjoy yourself

Encouraged to read these replies- I am traveling to Europe for the entire month of June, so am a bit worried about access to some of the high protein items I currently use to up my protein- im still drinking one shake a day to get my protein in— and am still hovering about 60gP a day. Just can’t eat enough to get there without the shake yet. I feel like London and Paris (not sure why I think that?) will have some options, but am concerned about Amsterdam/Cologne/all of Italy— I haven’t found a powdered shake mix I like yet. Im just at 8 weeks today, and when I leave i will be at 12 weeks. Ive tried a few bars, but ugh. Im not thinking i will starve by any means, but want to be sure i am getting my protein in for sure. Luckily meat/eggs/cheese have been my friend.

Encouraged to read these replies- I am traveling to Europe for the entire month of June, so am a bit worried about access to some of the high Protein items I currently use to up my protein- im still drinking one shake a day to get my protein in— and am still hovering about 60gP a day. Just can’t eat enough to get there without the shake yet. I feel like London and Paris (not sure why I think that?) will have some options, but am concerned about Amsterdam/Cologne/all of Italy— I haven’t found a powdered shake mix I like yet. Im just at 8 weeks today, and when I leave i will be at 12 weeks. Ive tried a few bars, but ugh. Im not thinking i will starve by any means, but want to be sure i am getting my protein in for sure. Luckily meat/eggs/cheese have been my friend.

Don't forget a glass of milk twice a day and a greek yogurt or two and some good cheese will get you to 60 grams of protein. In the Netherlands the norm for breakfast is eggs, ham, yogurt and peanut butter with toast.

On 5/5/2023 at 2:15 PM, summerseeker said:

I am in Greece at the moment and am surprised by how much Protein focused items that are available in the supermarkets. I am having some delicious protein yogurts that are way better than at home. I don't do shakes but there are masses of them here too. Good quality brands too. I am sure that France will be the same. You will get good Soups like consommé and, fish and stews. Omelettes, eggs cheese and milk are great go to foods. Enjoy yourself

I agree! France was never an issue for me because there are plenty of protein choices.

My first trip was 30 days post op, second at 7 weeks. I took some protein powder (whey and the fruity one) and some Gatorade protein, they come in small packets. Other than that I found it easy to get protein first even when eating out, stuck to lean proteins, eggs, and yogurt. I mentally divided my meals in 4 servings and took leftovers for later or shared my meal with someone. On one occasion I took quest protein chips, not the best option but the bag fills me up and has 20g, now I do the mini quest protein bar as an emergency back up plan.

On 5/7/2023 at 2:13 AM, summerseeker said:

Don't forget a glass of milk twice a day

I can drink milk till the cows come home. ❤️

I wonder if OP @bob_behn there and back? I would have a hard time in France with all the endless pasta.

Lots of good travel advice here. I'm thinking small baggies of protein powder could get you temporarily detained??? Curious for future reference.