My first time traveling! I'm so excited!!!(Super-Duper long)

...and I just can't fight it! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it! Oh yeah!

I'm totally, totally excited! TOTALLY! The last time I was in a plane I needed a seat belt extension. I was embarrassed to ask, but I figured better to ask right away then wait til I got to the seat only to find out I'd have to ask anyways. <br />

Of course, I did need it. I was over 300 lbs. At 5'1, that was a lot. I was wider than I was tall. (I know cause my belts were all taller than me!)

Anyways, I'm getting way off subject.

So, I'm going to Central America. To El Salvador! Where they eat a lot of pupusas! Which is all carb. CARBS. That is all they eat. Last time I went I lost like ten lbs, cause its so hot and you have to walk everywhere you go, but I are bread, pastries, tortillas, and everything fried.

Now, this time, I can't eat any of that stuff. Even if I wanted to, I can't. I'd get sick. I know they have beans, but pretty much I'm at the mercy of whatever they have. Unfortunately I can't be picky. My family doesn't have tons if money over there. They are very humble people. They feed us what they can (which also happens to be a lot of "masa"

What can I eat? Can I take stuff with me? Like, will they allow it on the plane?

I was thinking of taking jerky, string cheese, my protein bars, peanut butter, maybe some nuts. I wonder if they'll allow that stuff in my carry on.

But what about food? Real food? What can I take? It's not like I can go to the local grocery store. There's no Costco or anything over there. Would they allow me canned food? I know not in my carry on, but maybe in my other luggage? The one that goes under the plane?

Btw, I'm going for a week.

Bless you heart if you read this whole thing. I know it's a lot!!!

Every airline is different in their rules. I would look at your airlines website, it should have a breakdown of what is allowed.

Personally, as long as it is in your checked bag, I dont see what the problem is. And you should be able to bring nuts or jerky in your carry on. To my knowledge, there are no restrictions on food you can bring on a plane, as long as it fits in your carry on.

You could also call the airline and explain you have special dietary needs and would like information on what you can bring on the plane and in your checked luggage.

Have fun and be safe in your travels!

That's a good idea! I better call and find out!

I remember taking food with me in the plane before, but it's been so long I wasn't sure.
Thanks!

How exciting! Can you ship a box of food before you go? Would it be appropriate for you to offer to buy your family food while you are there? Not to imply their hospitality is lacking but to help by not having your stay deplete their resources much.

I could probably shop something, I'd have to look into the costs of course, but I still don't know what I'd ship.

I don't think I'd be able to buy food though. They shop at "mercados", which are like "swap meats"? Mostly fruits and veggies.

They don't have like a food store the way we have here. Last time I wanted chicken and my grandma literally bought a chicken. Live! And I named her (my mistake) and the next day my grandma chopped its head off and cooked it! I was mortified!!!! I couldn't eat it.

They have eggs though! Lol!

How exciting Dee!

I would call them and ask. I was worried about taking my protein shake on my cruise and they told me they'd prefer me to bring an unopened container. I forgot to bring my opened one on the 2 day drive so I opened it before I got there and got on fine. I figured they said "preferred" they didn't say prohibit lol.

I would def. think you could take some beef jerky. But call to get a better idea of what you can take.

I'd also inform my family ahead of time that I have medical dietary restrictions and that they should be in no way offended if I had to buy or bring some food. I'd think you could find a market that sells fish or something?

Aha! Fish!!! I could totally do fish! Great idea! Thanks!

They all know I've had surgery. They don't get it, but they know.

When you said fish, I remembered last time I went they had iguana too. I watched then skin that poor thing alive. Again, couldn't eat it.

But now I'm curious as to how much protein iguana has...

Could you maybe pack up some canned and packaged food and ship them ahead so they'll be there when you arrive?

That will serve two purposes.  The first being you'll have what you need, and the second one being that you can leave behind what you don't consume for your relatives to enjoy after you're gone.

Have fun!!!!

That's a pretty good idea. I thought of taking chili, tuna, canned chicken ect. Last time I went, one can of tuna was $6! So maybe I'll do that...

I am sure of how to handle the stay but as far as the plane trip. One of the "tricks: I use is to take an insulated lunch bag put my cheese and sometimes lunch meat in that with a bag of ice.  I empty the ice before I go through security and then go to the first cofffee shop and ask them to fill the ziploc bag with ice.  This works for my cross country trips from MA to CA.  If you can't find a coffee shop the flight attendant will fill the bag for me.  If you decide to bring canned foods in your luggage understand that there is a weight limit on baggage and also it is usually put through an x-ray machine so TSA will most likely have to go through your bag. I know this from personal experience.