Nervous on vacation!!!! Help!!!

[MommaJo1969 25]

I'm on vacation with family and struggling. I've lost nearly 100 pounds since my surgery in June. Meals are costing way too much on this trip!! The touristy areas will not accommodate my dietary needs. The portions are big and expensive and there leftovers are going to waste!!! I think I may start packing my lunch and dinner before we head out for the day? Thanks, I needed to talk through that.

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[ShoppGirl 5,009]

I know that many of us were taught to not waste food and of course we should try not to but sometimes it’s just not avoidable. If you can pack lunch and dinner and that works out better for you that’s great but give yourself permission to waste a little if it works better too. You are on vacation and you should be enjoying yourself. If there are not any smaller options available and you can’t share with Anyone else then just eat what you can and leave the rest. And remember, you aren’t really wasting money, You are investing in your health which will save you money in the long run. can you eat salad? A lot of times when I am out with another person who won’t eat their entire meal, I will just order a side salad and have a small piece of their Protein. Alot of times there are two sides and you can choose a side salad for one of them with a slight up charge. Then I will have a shake for a snack if I didn’t get enough protein that day. Just depends on how you tolerate lettuce. Or can you order a side of veggies and just have a bite or two off of your families plates? If not, just know that whatever you have to do it’s gets easier the further out you get. Try not to stress too much about it though. Enjoy yourself.

Edited September 6, 2022 by ShoppGirl

[SHORTY_ 154]

Is there any way could split meals with somone you're with?

[omrhsn 623]

I always feel sad about wasting food whenever we go to a restaurant. Some of the restaurants over here have an option for "kids meal" which is usually half of the adult portion. I always order that whenever I go out with my family. It comes with a toy too 😂. Congratulation on loosing 100 lbs.

[SHORTY_ 154]

1 hour ago, omrhsn said:

I always feel sad about wasting food whenever we go to a restaurant. Some of the restaurants over here have an option for "kids meal" which is usually half of the adult portion. I always order that whenever I go out with my family. It comes with a toy too 😂. Congratulation on loosing 100 lbs.

I feel that on so many levels. As a kid I was made to sit at the table for hours to finish my meal. I feel like it accidentally created this mind set that even when I'm full I needed to finish. My mom always got upset with me when my daughter was small that I didn't push her to eat all her meals. (my parenting is she will eat if she's hungry). We still split meals even now that she's 12, we like 99.9% of what eachother likes so it's a win win for the both of us, especially now after surgery. Wayyy less waste.

[summerseeker 2,240]

About 6 months after surgery I went on holiday to Europe. The hotel food was very carb based, fried or salads. I couldn't eat any at the time. The meat was tough and the fish overcooked. I really struggled to find foods I could eat. I ate yogurts and Soup. I bought deli meats to snack on in between. TBH It was great to get home to the foods I knew.

I was glad that I packed Jerky and crackers and cheese in my suitcase. I needed them. If you are on a budget, pre buy your foods if you can and snack on them. Then eat a small entree as a main course at the restaurant with family

[kcuster83 1,504]

YES! I think a lot of people on here can relate to wasting too much food. Partly because we still think we eat like we used to and partly because portions are just so damn big!

I try to share a meal, I have even just had a few bites of multiple peoples food too. Most places don't let adults order from the kids menu around me. Chipotle does, but it is still a lot of food and I end up wasting half or someone else eats it.

I also try to order something I know I will like as leftovers and take it for lunch the next day or 2.

I know this doesn't help while you are on vacation so I would say to try to share a meal with someone you are with.

Leftovers on vacation almost always go in the trash. (At least for me)

[ShoppGirl 5,009]

My aunt was telling me one day that she has seen signs some places that say no sharing. I haven’t seen them yet but I wonder why it matters to them. I was a waitress when I was in college and as long as someone left me a fair tip didn’t care how cheap they were (I’m assuming that’s why they think we are sharing is cause of money??). Anyways, we almost always share but I also bring a cooler with us so if we don’t want the same thing I can bring most things home. salad didn’t make it. It still got soggy but that could have been the cooler or just because it had alot of Water in it, not sure. This probably won’t help on vacation either. Then again if you were planning to pack a lunch and dinner, maybe you could just carry a cooler and take leftovers home for others to eat as a snack? .

Edited September 7, 2022 by ShoppGirl

[St77 87]

Ah, I feel your pain. I'll be going to Disney with my daughter in December. It's already the land of tempting sweets, but I'm fine not having those. My daughter is a really mature 16 year old and said that she'll share food with me since I don't eat a lot and she wants to make sure I stay healthy.

[kcuster83 1,504]

15 minutes ago, ShoppGirl said:

My aunt was telling me one day that she has seen signs some places that say no sharing. I haven’t seen them yet but I wonder why it matters to them. I was a waitress when I was in college and as long as someone left me a fair tip didn’t care how cheap they were (I’m assuming that’s why they think we are sharing is cause of money??). Anyways, we almost always share but I also bring a cooler with us so if we don’t want the same thing I can bring most things home. salad didn’t make it. It still got soggy but that could have been the cooler or just because it had alot of Water in it, not sure. This probably won’t help on vacation either. Then again if you were planning to pack a lunch and dinner, maybe you could just carry a cooler and take leftovers home for others to eat as a snack? .

Yes, I have seen on menus saying no sharing meals. I don't really know why either, I guess they want more money. haha

I always tip based on the cost of 2 meals though, I am a generous tipper anyway but I would basically add the cost of whatever the meal was, double it and tip based on that.

[kcuster83 1,504]

3 minutes ago, St77 said:

Ah, I feel your pain. I'll be going to Disney with my daughter in December. It's already the land of tempting sweets, but I'm fine not having those. My daughter is a really mature 16 year old and said that she'll share food with me since I don't eat a lot and she wants to make sure I stay healthy.

We are going to Florid/Disney next month with friends and my God daughter. I am not too worried about the foods, but my friends are thin and eat out all the time. So we shall see how it works out. I plan to stay as close to my normal diet as possible.

Good luck to us!

[KimA-GA 540]

look at enjoying appetizers or side salads - some places will also allow people kids meals! or look at the a la carte options; instead of a meal a meat and one side or just a side may suit you.

most importantly enjoy yourself!!!!

[ShoppGirl 5,009]

11 minutes ago, kcuster83 said:

We are going to Florid/Disney next month with friends and my God daughter. I am not too worried about the foods, but my friends are thin and eat out all the time. So we shall see how it works out. I plan to stay as close to my normal diet as possible.

Good luck to us!

You can search menus for the park before you go so you know which restaurants have the more nutritious options. I read that you can substitute fruit for fries in most places in the park and of course you can ask them to cook your entree without butter. Then the obvious of eating without the bread and limiting the sauces, etc. In cases like that I usually just splurge a little on the meal and then eat veggies for my snack to sorta balance it out. You could also carry a Fanny pack (I decided they are acceptable fashion for a place like disney) with a Protein Shake and you can get a glass of ice anywhere. In October it depends on the day but it could be so hot you will be glad to not have a big meal weighing you down.

[kcuster83 1,504]

13 minutes ago, ShoppGirl said:

You can search menus for the park before you go so you know which restaurants have the more nutritious options. I read that you can substitute fruit for fries in most places in the park and of course you can ask them to cook your entree without butter. Then the obvious of eating without the bread and limiting the sauces, etc. In cases like that I usually just splurge a little on the meal and then eat veggies for my snack to sorta balance it out. You could also carry a Fanny pack (I decided they are acceptable fashion for a place like disney) with a Protein Shake and you can get a glass of ice anywhere. In October it depends on the day but it could be so hot you will be glad to not have a big meal weighing you down.

Pretty much my plan! I am really not too worried even if I splurge a little I just don't want to be sick. haha

My first long vacation since surgery, I am looking forward to it!

[ShoppGirl 5,009]

7 minutes ago, kcuster83 said:

Pretty much my plan! I am really not too worried even if I splurge a little I just don't want to be sick. haha

My first long vacation since surgery, I am looking forward to it!

Hey. Maybe you should also bring some of those small packs of nuts to get some salt in since you may be sweating it all out.

Edited September 7, 2022 by ShoppGirl