I miss my home-food (AKA what do you do when traveling?).

by

Oh misfit home-food. I heart ye.

 

There are truly no words to express how happy I am to be in NYC.

Im honored Fitness Magazine asked me to speak and I may or may not have smuggled a six year old here, too.

I adore my at home/work routine but GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY I was ready to git out of it for a few days…

Except for the food.

I love me my home-food and, since Im not one to give it all that much though on a daily basis, this is a fact which surprises me each time I go away.

Im an intuitive eater. 

I pretty much eat what my body demands and when it requests it (I know Im lucky to work from home this way).  This approach to (fingerquote) my diet (unFQ) works well for me.

Until I travel.

When I take a work trip Jetting off to exotic locales is really the only time I notices what my body craves tends *not* to be whats readily available.

Im a protein-gurl (reason #58 why Im such an Egg Beaters 100% egg whites fanatic). 

Carbohydrates of any variety (from lumpy-bumpy Irish oats to a bowl of fresh sliced fruit) even with a smattering of good fats dont satiate me.

My body cries out for protein.  Protein which, on the road and on the go, can be hard to locate.

What works for me (since a fridge dragged behind me all-filled-UP with EB WHITES didnt quite work out) is to bring along (or buy the moment I lay my misfit-eyes on it in a shop) protein laden snacks to add to my readily available carbohydrates.

I tend to tote:

  • Turkey, beef or ostrich jerky.
  • All varieties of nuts.
  • Trail mix.
  • Envelopes of no-drain tuna, salmon or chicken (and a plastic fork).

When I was hardER of core & traveled more (pre-Tornado) Id also tend to tote:

  • Protein powder.
  • PB2
  • A travel blender.
  • Flax & Chia. (in baggies. lest you think I was truly hardcore and brought canisters.)

All the navel-gazing above into my very boring dietary-habits (see why I never do the “what I ate Wednesday posts”?) has only served to make me curious about you & your food-travel habits.

Do you, as I do, miss your FAVE foodstuffs when youre away from home for a long stretch?

Do you pack your carry-on with snacks as I do?

Got any better/other suggestions for 2013 when I travel again?

 


 

 

This post is sponsored by Egg Beaters 100% egg whites.  The fact I’ve admonished various & sundry NYC restaurants for not serving Egg Beaters as a menu option was all my own idea.

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Comments

  1. I bring a lot of snacks too. Mostly dried fruit and trip mixes.
    Good point about the proteins.

  3. I’m really similar. If I eat fruit and cereal for breakfast I’m starving in thirty minutes.
    I don’t plan for trips real well and end up hungry and making bad choices.

  4. I bring snacks, too, similar to what you mentioned, particularly for flights and car rides. What I notice most, though, is when I’m staying with family and semi-required to eat what’s available at their homes, how many more veggies I eat when left to my own feedings. And, my extended family members are all pretty healthy, so that’s kind of saying a lot. Last year I stayed with my parents in Austin for a month while finishing my master’s degree (long story), and I was dying for more veggies. I would sneak off to grab a lunch from a Whole Foods or Central Market to satisfy my cravings.

  5. I always gain weight on business trips 🙁
    I wouldn’t mind if they were vacations, but I do need to plan ahead more.

  6. I need a lot of protein to feel satisfied too.
    Do you find, however, you might not be getting enough fat with no yolks?

    I bring almonds everywhere.

    • good question. I’m always adding back in the fats to my EB whites 🙂 oils, avocados, cheese, sausages …

  7. We are quite similar (and now I do the meal in mug too LOL).
    I pack a great deal of road snacks and would love that rolling fridge!

    I hope NYC was fun, Miz.

    • so so so so fun. the best part was meeting so many other bloggers in person. & reconnecting with old friends I don’t see enough.

  8. As you know, I travel a great deal. Over the past few months I’ve started bringing protein powder, nut packs, and nut butter along with my bag of oats, vitamins, and bananas.

  9. I always pack snacks and food. If it’s a day trip…snacks of all sorts (usually fruit, granola, trail mix, veggies, nuts/seeds)…if overnight then pretty much the same but more of it! lol

  10. Traveling definitely is a challenge. From my early yrs I always felt treats came with traveling. To this day when I go on a long trip I want a little junkfood. I’m getting better. And I’m the absolute opposite. Give me carbs!! I’m actually posting my travel eats on my blog this Friday.

  11. oh yes, we stock up on travel food. i always bring carrots and almond cheese (which is high protein and lactose free, and DELCIOUS!!). Plus pb2! But half the time i end up buying those starbucks hardboiled egg plates. Oh well, sometimes the $$ spent is worth it.

    • You KNOW I agree. Ill buy the clothes shoes etc as cheeeeaply as possible but I’m renown (ok just in our family :-)) for saying ‘i’ll spend what I have to!’ for healthy clean satisfying food.

  14. OMG yes! I never travel without snacks. My last road trip I had jerky too, and turkey pepperoni stix, and cheese in a cooler, cut peppers and snap peas. And… yes… chia:)

  15. LMAO. I can’t believe you used to bring chia.

    I’m a protein fiend so I bring nuts, almond butter and cheese for flight.

  16. I bring almonds when I fly – and Mentos. I think I actually eat pretty good because I’m aware that I’m out of the zone and purposefully make good choices.

  17. I pack too! Definitely food for the plane and snacks between meals. When I’m somewhere for a longer period of time…like four days…I make sure I have a fridge in my room and run to the food store right when I get to said destination to pick up a few necessities.

  18. You don’t run out and purchase Egg Beaters and drink them straight?
    I’m disappointed Mizzy!

    🙂

  19. I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YOU!!! I am of the “harder of core”. I think I have told you that my carry on usually is food & the suitcase is the other stuff unless some of the food needs to go in the suitcase… My tummy likes my food. Good think I don’t travel much! 😉

  20. I usually do a cheap suites place (Embassy Suites etc). I could make your EB whites breakfast for you there LOL

    I love my food routine too.

  21. I love reading your posts, but don’t normally comment, although so many of your posts do “speak” to me. But I have to comment on this one, and not because of the travel aspect, but because of what you find satiates you. I am really focusing on learning what satiates me, and like you, I am discovering it’s protien. I belong to Weight Watchers and I love it, but I always disagree when someone says, well I ate a piece of fruit or a handful of carrots and was full. In my head I’m yelling “BS!” cause that never fills me up.

    My go to b-fast is oatmeal, natural PB, a banana and a cup of skim milk. That keeps me full for a long time. But it’s the rest of the day I’ve been struggling with. Thanks to you I have now started snacking on egg beaters, which does a GREAT job of filling me up. And I am learnig to rely more on higher protien snacks (nuts, turkey, etc).

    Guess this is just my long way of saying thanks. Thanks for being you, thanks for inspiring me, and thanks for making me realize I’m not the only one who doesn’t get filled up by an apple 🙂

  22. This post struck a chord with me because I am always famished!
    I eat super healthy. Lots of FRUIT.
    I wonder if I need more proteinn.

  23. Traveling is tough for me too. Luckily I don’t do it often, lol. I tend to drink too much Starbucks (they r everywhere) and not eat enough when travelling. I do try to pack protein loaded food too. It’s a must for me, even just going to the grocery store (which is a trip for me, ha ha, 45 min away).
    Trail mix of course 😉 I want to learn to make my own jerky.

  24. Travels to the in-laws generally consist of mounds of German food (deli meats, deep fried pastries, and thick butter and sugar dominating ditties). I bring my own protein and lean foods (or else buy them once there and claim dietary restrictions) to keep the German consumption to a minimum.

    …and antacids…always antacids when I’m at the IL’s.

  25. I miss my egg whites too while on the road! I always bring with me Protein Powder, Oats, Peppers (in-flight noms), Tuna (not packed in water, I’ve been stopped at security before bc of it!).

    I’m on the road right now…I’m looking at my stash of food as we speak.

    I so wish I could have met and seen you in ‘real life’ in NYC! 🙂

  26. So nice to meet you yesterday, Miz.
    I should have brought you back to my apartment for some E B whites 🙂

  27. On road trips I have been known to take a hot-plate and a blender. When flying it’s nuts and fruit for snaking and making instant oatmeal in the room for breakfast (with fruit of course!) Sometimes it’s difficult to bring food on a plane. They confiscate fruit when traveling to and from Hawaii-so you have to find it after you check in if you can.

  29. I always miss my food when I’m away from home! And then I end up eating junk instead which is not a good thing.

    I’m so glad you had such a fun time in NYC! I can’t wait to hear all about it!

  30. I’m all about trail mixes and bars when I travel. Sometimes I’ll put little bits of jerky into the trail mix. I do miss my protein smoothies, though!

    I’m totally stealing great googly moogly btw 🙂

  31. Travel isn’t easy, food-wise. So i have to compromise more than i want, or pack a lot of stuff.

    Either way, i love travel except for being away from my fresh green smoothies and juices.

  33. Oh gosh, traveling is the WORST. I have just come to accept that my travel weight is going to be 10 pounds more than my normal weight – as evidenced when I changed jobs and got to cook for a change. I am so tired of traveling and wish I could stop, but I’m committed to Dallas for the next year now, so I’m just trying to get through it!

    (PS – Will schedule an Austin weekend at some point and let you know!)

  34. You just reminded me that I have PB2 in my snack box that I’ve never tried.

    When I traveled recently, I packed almond butter and banana sandwiches plus ‘Drea approved snacks and, before I leave, I find out where the grocery stories are at. If there’s not a refrigerator in the hotel room, I don’t buy as much and use the ice bucket to keep stuff cool.

    I also try to find restaurants, vegetarian or organic, beforehand as well so I don’t have to guess where I’m going to eat…

  35. I think the biggest issue with travel is that carbohydrate based meals tend to be less expensive and more readily available than protein based. So, it’s easier and cheaper to eat the continental breakfast than go out and buy eggs every day.

    Sometimes it’s possible to bring stuff, others not so much. I guess this would be one of the reasons why “there’s no place like home.”

  36. I always bring some breakfast bars and nuts and snacks so I don’t get crazy hungry with unpredictable mealtimes. However, we don’t travel all that much, and when we do, it’s not for that long, so I usually just enjoy the break and eat/drink what I want.

    However, after a few days, I pretty much revert to soup/salad stuff at meals because I crave the vegs.

  37. Oh my gosh, my tummy goes into a tizzy whenever I travel. I try to pack things I want when it’s just a family trip and we don’t see anyone else. But it gets a bit trickier when we go to someone’s house that doesn’t necessarily support the way my husband and I eat (ahem…his parents). I try to pack things for me, but they only last so long. I tried to go for apples, cheese sticks, pretzels. But I’m finding that protein is working more and more for me so I have to rethink for our next trip.

  38. Totally feeling you on this one! I am a big homebody, although I do love a couple of days away to play grown-up now and again. But the food thing is definitely hard, especially if I travel for a race. I always aim for having a fridge in my room at the very least, and if I’m with my husband and kids, a full kitchen.Then I scout out my favorites, like Trader Joe’s. Keeps me happier!

    • Next time I am getting a fridge in my room. And bringing a blender for smoothies!!

  39. Being a mom has taught me the importance of being prepared with snacks for my little guy and for me too. I never used to carry healthy snacks when traveling so that would end with me eating unhealthy food on the go. These are great ideas of things to pack!

  40. I either pack my own snacks or make a stop at the local grocery store (if I have access and time) to stock up on necessary snacks. I honestly don’t know how much protein I eat a day, but I have learned that nuts, peanut butter, turkey jerky are necessities when I am traveling. I will also pick up some fruit – esp bananas and apples as other healthy options (and to be used with the PB) as well as avocados – they fill me up like no other and whole grain bread. When I am out sightseeing, I always like to keep an apple, banana, and PB sandwich handy in my purse!! LOL
    So thankful to have met you yesterday, Carla. You are so real – just like you come across on your blog and videos. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!!

  41. I find traveling and eating to be the hardest! Like Michele, I either pack my own snacks or hit a grocery store once arriving somewhere. Now, especially with a family, we tend to rent an apartment/do a house swap when we travel with our kids so that we have a refrigerator and kitchen to prepare meals and store food. Makes thing a bit easier.

    It was SO great to meet you yesterday. You are more amazing in person than I ever could have imagined. Seriously, within the 2 seconds of introducing myself you made me feel so comfortable and welcome. I hope that our paths cross again!

  42. I’m the queen of carry-with-me snacks! When I go out shopping, I know I’m gonna need a little something, so I’ll bring some sliced apple in a baggie or crackers w. a string cheese!

  43. If you are ever in need of a snack, come sit by me! I always have my next snack or meal on me. Working on location and traveling as much as I do, I like to know that I won’t have to skip a meal. If my blood sugar dips, I get a little cranky and nobody likes that. I keep a protein bar, almonds, string cheese, extra water and sometimes a sandwich.

    Loved meeting you at the event. You are so much fun.

  44. You sound to be very prepared when travelling as a harder of core, in the eating department at least. We are in Costa Rica on our honey moon right now and the best that we have been able to do is hit the super market and stay stocked on mixed nuts, agua, and fresh fruit: pineapple, watermellon, and pappai??

  45. When I travel (like last week in LA) I find that it’s easier to not listen to my body about what it needs and instead, listen to that party-boy part of my brain that believes beer and pizza are superfoods. No, it never works out in my favor, but it does serve as a vivid reminder of what does NOT work. We all need a reminder from time to time.

    Have fun in the Apple.

    And, ostrich jerky? Didn’t you mean oyster jerky?

  46. I am so like you! I just got back from 5 days in LA and I took food with me for the drive down and some things to have while there. I walked the 1.1 miles to the nearest grocery store and bought fresh fruit, veggies, oatmeal and coffee to go with the hummus,jerky, cottage cheese,nuts and other items I had with me.

    We do have a portable refrigerator/cooler that plus into the power source in the car. It’s fantastic for road trips.No ice needed as it has an adapter to plug into the wall outlet as well. Love that.

    I have also been known to ship food ahead to my parents house before arriving.

    I usually pre-eat before attending social events to make sure I get plenty of protein, fiber and healthy fats. So many meals these days are filled with simple carbs.

    I love my home food and the local restuarants where I have figured out what to eat that is healthy. The food part is always the most difficult for me when traveling. I have learned to ask for what I want even if it’s not on the menu – it can usually be made to satisfy me.

    Home sweet home – where the good food is!

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  49. I’m in NYC for work now too!!
    Too many temptations. I’ve been eating poorly.

  50. While I don’t travel very far too often, when I leave home and am off doing things all day I tend to pack a little snack bag for myself. This usually includes a couple of different kinds of fruit (grapes, pears, oranges), definitely some trail mix like you mentioned, and I ask like to bring along some rice cakes with peanut butter, yum!

  51. Long flight/travel protein food – cook and freeze your own homemade turkey burger. Grab it from the freezer on your way out the door. Tuck it in your carry on bag, no ice needed. The frozen burger slowly thaws and stays cold for up to 6 hours! Ready to eat, granted not heated, but still very tasty and satisfying. Freezing works well with steak or chicken pieces too.

  52. Love it! You gave me some extra ideas. On my latest trip, I found that Fiber One 90 brownies were a good easy fill-up (and to carry) or for a chocolate fix. I also like to bring nuts (in snack bags of 100 calories each – so that I don’t overeat those large bags!), mini babybel cheeses in the red wax, and trail mix. Oranges and Bananas can travel well for short periods of time, too. I love all of the ideas shared here. Thank you!

  53. You are me and I am you (on this one!).

    I also make home-made protein bars before travel; most of the packaged ones have too much sugar and just make me crabby and tired (and craving more).

    The biggest challenge I have when travelling is the cross-border restrictions on fruit, veggies and meat. I’ve had dried fruit, hardboiled eggs and roast chicken confiscated (the fruit thing drives me nuts, as much of what we get in British Columbia comes from the US anyways; I’m just taking it back there!).

    A jar of peanut butter was taken because it exceeded the 100 mL liquid and gel restriction. Who knew peanut butter was a gel???

    Glad you’re home and back to your normal eats!

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