Question:
Any tips for

I am very excited to be going on my first vacation since my surgery, but I'm a bit nervous also. I'm 5-1/2 months post-op. I'll be going away Thanksgiving week. It's not the holiday meal that has me concerned, it's the idea of having to eat out everywhere I go for 8 days. I'd appreciate any tips, suggestions, warnings, about how to "survive" on the road. Thanks!    — Debbie C. (posted on September 30, 2003)

September 30, 2003
I find that a chicken breast (unbreaded) in most restaurants is good cut up into a small dinner salad with a side of dressing. Most also sell cottage cheese, chili, and other higher protein dishes where you don't have to order a ton of food. Hope you have a great trip!
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 30, 2003
The shrimp cocktail off the appetizer menu, chef style salads that have a chicken or seafood additive, baked potato with cheese. I also take with us beef jerky--that way if I'm not getting enough protein through what I eat, I can supplement with that.
   — Cathy S.

September 30, 2003
I did it for 3 weeks at 4-months post-op. I found that buffets were a very good thing because I could pick and choose the best. It also allowed me to be able to have a little fruit etc without buying an order ala cart. I realize you won't get your money's worth but it will give you the best choices. Don't worry about it being a biffet as your pouch will keep you in line and pay you back if you go too far. One meal I tried halibut which did not stay down, so after it was gone I went back and got something else to eat so that I still got my protien in. <p>I took some pouches of Albacore White tuna and plastic forks along as well as some high protein/low carb bars and small bags of peanuts. They all work well and transport well. You could even take some small snack cans of fruit too. The only problem I had was paying $18-26 CDN for a meal in the Yukon when I could eat 1/4-1/3 and no refrigerator to put the leftovers in for breakfast. I just had to say this is vacation and look the other way. Like someone else already said, shrimp cocktail is a good standby. All protein and plenty of it.
   — zoedogcbr

September 30, 2003
Breakfast is easy poached egg and whole wheat toast or fruit and cottage cheese or oatmeal.Find a health food store and get low carb high protien bars and protien drink. These are good for in between. Order a childs for lunch and dinner (meat and veggies not fried) or a salad ( if you can eat one. Appy are usually a good sized meal for us. Good Lux
   — Robert L.

September 30, 2003
I try to pack things like protien bars, string cheese(only if I take a cooler and then I pack lunch meat too and yogurt), pull top cans of tuna fish and stuff like crackers, popcorn ect. When I go to the resteraunts or fast food, I order chicken brest plain, eggs, chili, soup or I mostly just hit taco bell everywhere I go and get a pinto n cheese. Hope this helps a little. Good luck!
   — Sandy M.

October 1, 2003
You could also share an entree with another person, if you are both ordering the same thing. Portion size at restaurants is beyond huge. When my mom came to visit last month, we ate in restaurants for 6 days straight. It was difficult because I was a little overwhelmed with all the food, no matter what I ordered. Don't feel obligated to finish what's on your plate. Also, I ordered appetizers mostly or I asked for the kids and senior menus.
   — lizinPA

October 1, 2003
How about chili if your pouch can tolerate it?
   — Mea A.

October 1, 2003
How about soup? Also you can just order a sandwich and eat just the meat and cheese. If you go to a pasta place sometimes they have an option to add chicken or shrimp to a pasta order. Just get someone to order pasta with the adder and you get a very cheap high-protein meal! (I do that with my daughter at Cafe Express.) Also how about salmon to split with someone? I often order just baked or grilled fish and green beans. As far as travel food, I pack protein bars, mixed nuts, and a jar of peanut butter. If you're taking a cooler, pack up some ready to drink protein drinks (AdvantEdge and CarbSolutions are cheap and available at WalMart and some grocery stores). The best advice probably would be to stick with stuff you know. There's nothing worse than being sick on the road! Well, I can think of one thing: Dumping at an amusement park! But that's a whole other story. LOLOL Good luck and have fun on your trip!
   — ctyst

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