Question:
I'm going to Las Vegas for a week on vacation.....what to eat?

Hi. I'm 8 months post op and planning a trip in mid-August to Las Vegas for a convention (yippee! sign in and disappear!) The problem: how will I EAT? WHAT will I eat? I don't want to be ordering big fancy meals and paying big bucks when I KNOW I won't be able to eat that quantity of food. Anyone experience this lately? What did YOU do? Help! Thanks    — Annie H. (posted on July 16, 2002)


July 16, 2002
First of all, Vegas is one of my absolute favorite cities on the planet! You will be able to find meals of varying costs. So even if you end up with big portions, you don't necessarily have to pay an arm and a leg. Usually, when I go to restaurants, Vegas or anywhere else, I go for seafood. It seems less heavy and I don't get stuffed 5 seconds into the meal. Anyway, back to Las Vegas. Most of the restaurants I've been to are very friendly with packing doggy bags and such. So don't feel like you are imposing on them. Cost-wise, there are specials on dining all over the place. You'll do just fine. What you'll probably notice is that the cheapest stuff are the items you can't have. Westward Ho has a 3/4lb. beef hotdog and a beer for either 99 cents or $1.39. Bottom line, no matter what the cost, you're not going to be able to fit everything in. So worry about it too much. Just don't go out of your way to eat somewhere fancy. I was in LV just the other week for the holiday and hated the idea of paying $25 and up for a meal I'd never finish.
   — Jennifer P.

July 16, 2002
OH YES! Had that problem in Feb!! I spent MORE money on food than I did gambling hun! LOL! But by the end of the vac I learned NOT to get buffets and would buy a meal. HOWEVER, I would munch on my meat (grilled chicken etc.) and save any for later in a "doggie bag"; which, I would nibble on in my hotel room. Or, I would split a meal with my friend who I went with. The Rain FOrest Cafe has an awesome chicken salad too! But be careful it's HUGE LOL! And what I thought was great also was the neat soups that some of the restraunts have there. Had some of that too! Good luck and HAVE FUN!!!!
   — ravikamor

July 16, 2002
We just spent 4th of July weekend in Vegas. Lucky you! I just love it there. We ordered room service a couple of times. It was convenient since it is soooooo HOT there. I ate slowly and looked at my view from my air conditioned room! There's a Japanese restaurant in the upstairs part of the Luxor hotel that I really enjoyed. I ordered 2 spicy tuna handrolls on soy paper, ate one there at the restaurant and took the other one back to my hotel room and put it on ice until later. It worked out great. You know, even if you went to one of the buffets, there are plenty of things you can eat (fruit, fish, etc.). If you're worried about the money part of it, eat at a buffet for lunch rather than dinner and it's cheaper. There's a good steak house in the hotel I stayed in, the Monte Carlo. By the way, I noticed that a lot of the restaurants within the bigger hotels post their menus outside their door so you can see what's available (and how much $). Have a great time! :o)
   — Jennifer A.

July 16, 2002
In Vegas, in most coffee shops, I can order the steak & egg special. I skip the toast & skip the hash browns. I love buffet! I make a great salad & have fish or chicken or beef with it & fresh fruit. It is ok to not be able to take it in a doggy bag. After being 13 months post-op, carrying lots of doggie bags & throwing it away later...hhmm....maybe it is better to just throw it away and not take it with me, than for me to be wearing it on my hips. So buffet -vs- ordering from the menu... At goal & loving it! Woo-hoo! Have a great time!
   — Barbara B.

July 16, 2002
Just came back from there, too. Our hotel had a nice sandwich shop. It was only expensive, not hideously expensive! But the sandwiches were excellent, even if generous. Since there were several of "us" there, we often split one. Since I had the chance to visit the hospital there, we also ate a little place called Roberto's Taco Shop. Tiny place, surprisingly good food.
   — vitalady

July 16, 2002
i live in las vegas & we eat out almost every day. do u have a restaurant card? if not i suggest u get one. alot of the buffets honor the rest cards request to let u pay less because u eat less. the coffee shops in the hotels,denny's, ihop etc always allow me to order from either the senior or kid menus. alot of times, hubby & i share. we agree on what to order & the amount i take off his plate really doesnt affect his portion because all portions r generally huge. some restaurants charge a nominal fee for sharing & others dont. alot of times i order an appetizer instead of a full meal. if u r gambling, any drinks from the cocktail waitresses r free. diet soda, coffee, ice tea & water r all readily available. just be sure to tip the waitress according to what u order. i always order a glass of ice & a bottle of water otherwise she will bring u a glass of lukewarm water with some ice floating on top. the food in the posh restaurants in the casinos r expensive. we have found & all our friends here agree, that u cant go wrong in a coffee shop. the food is always delicious. the casinos all have food courts, too, where u can get burgers,chinese, pizza & pasta. the list goes on. if u plan on doing alot of outdoor walking be sure to bring lots of sunscreen & cool clothing. it is HOT here! but, dont omit a sweater because the u will freeze in the casinos. have fun!!! this is a great town.
   — sheryl titone

July 16, 2002
Hi Annie: We go to Vegas about 6 times a year (we only live 3 hours from there)...but I go crazy. I am a big shrimp eater and in Vegas I LIVE on those .99 cent shrimp cocktails...They are EVERYWHERE...I usually eat 3-4 per day...Very low calories and extremely high protein...They are just the right 1/2 -3/4 cup size and what a deal on the price..can't go wrong....HAVE FUN IN VEGAS !!!
   — Joi G.

July 17, 2002
I just got back from Vegas last week and found that eating at the buffets was better for me because I could load up on fruits and cold cereal at breakfast, fruit and soups during lunch and dinner and I could sample some other things to see what I could tolerate. If you find yourself at the Paris casino, there is a bread shop in the back that has the most awesome fruit platter I ever had and in New York, New York, there is an unbelievable italian restaurant named Il Fourno that I highly recommend. If only I had done as well at the gaming tables as I did at the restaurant tables I'd have been in better shape. Have a great time! - Mike
   — Michael N.

July 17, 2002
No problem. Just forget about the buffets!! Order from the menu-breakfast can be a loaded omlette, eggs abd bacon or sausage. For lunch and dinner get any grilled or roasted protein, salad or non-starch veggies and enjoy the QUALITY of the foods you eat. I'd watch out for the fruits and cereals. Way too many carbs for me-and the temptation of being away from home and your 'normal' routine may cause a problem. And don't forget to get some excercise and drink your water!! Have fun and hope you strike it rich! Diane Norcross http://www.WeightlossSurgery.ws
   — DianeN




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