Need Tips for Eating Out- Induction, 2nd time around

[irishjam]

Hi, I have alot of weight to loose. This is my second time around on Atkins and the weight loss is so much slower this time around. Does anyone else have this problem???

Also, I am on the induction, and actually have to eat under 20 grams of carbs/day in order to loose. I am going away on business for five days. The hotel room doesn't have a refrigerator or microwave, and the conference will supply "lunch" (which will probably be sandwiches and chips.) I don't have much money to spend on expensive meals. Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can take with me that does not need to be refrigerated, or simple things I can keep in a cooler? And what should I eat if I do order out? Any help I get will be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much
JoAnn

[Rachel1]

You may not be able to do a by-the-book Induction with those limitations; however, you certainly can keep carbs under 20 per day.

I would stock up on jerky (get the lowest carbs possible) and nuts. Nuts aren't strictly induction-legal, but are low-carb, portable, and don't need refrigeration. The lowest carb nuts are macadamias, walnuts, and Brazils. Avoid peanuts and cashews, unless you have no other options.

Hopefully the conference will supply a veggie and dip tray (this may be wishful thinking here). You can always eat the sandwich fillings and throw away the bread. I've done that. It's a bit embarassing, but I toughed it out.

The hardest thing may be dealing with people's comments if they notice you're throwing out the bread and/or eating your own food. I find it simpler to just say "I don't eat bread/chips/whatever." I don't try to explain Atkins or get into it - some people can be rude or nosy, and it's not worth it, as far as I'm concerned.

Another thing you can do is bring cans of tuna (or whatever), a can opener, a plastic plate, a small knife, fork, and so on. If there's a supermarket near your hotel, you may be able to pick up a cooked chicken and ready-made salad or chopped veggies. I've had lovely low-carb picnics in hotel rooms!

I'm sure others will chime in, but here's a few ideas to start out with.

Rachel

[DaddioM]

Some of the summer sausage doesn't need to be cooled down until open. Also, those pepperoni slices in a bag (and those slices with cheese slices make a pretty yummy snack or meal). Hard boiled eggs keep pretty decent in a cooler.

I agree though.. eat the insides of the lunch. Tell them you just don't like the bread, or tell them you lke salad better, or don't tell them anything, but I did that on induction too.. and I TOLD them.

When people tell me atkins is "dangerous" I alway used to tell them that my BIGGEST danger by far was staying teh weight I was. My only REAL danger with atkins is being found dead from choking after downing my 6th can of Redi-whip (man.. when I found out that was very low carb.. I was in HEAVEN)

Anyway.. hope this helps.

Mike

[Elizellen]

Have you contacted the catering officer for the conference and asked him/her what food will be supplied and what alterations/additions they can make for you?

If you had religious dietary requirements I am sure the organisation would be keen to supply food you could eat and stay within your dietary rules, and there is no reason they cant do the same for you with health reasons not to eat starches and sugar.

[cleochatra]

Take along some oopsie rolls and sub out the bread, or eat what you can that is within plan.

Let them know you are diabetic... they have to accommodate medical concerns. :D

[Qmass]

Even though your hotel room won't have a mini-fridge, they will still have an ice machine and ice buckets. I'd take some canned Atkins ready to drink shakes (don't need to chill them - just pour them over ice), Atkins Advantage bars, lots of cheese, cans or foil packets of tuna, avocados, lunchmeat turkey, romaine lettuce and spinach, and hard boiled eggs. For things that need to be cold, just replace the ice in the ice bucket twice a day.

Good luck! I've done this, and it's annoying, but it is do-able.

[BluePants]

I found that a hamburger is always a good choice, asking of course for no bun. Add the lettuce, tomatoes, onion, mustard, mayo, pickle, just no bun.
Don't order omelets as they often add pancake batter to them, so you only want to order eggs easy over.
Tell them your a diabetic and allergic to wheat. :lol:

[Dee1111]

Pancake batter in the omelettes???!?!

Oh dear....

[irishjam]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and help. Wish me luck!

[Elizellen]

Pancake batter in the omelettes???!?!

Oh dear....Here is a response from an IHOP representative addressing that problem
Thank you for taking the time to contact IHOP with your inquiry. Due to the general nature of the items served in our restaurant, most of our meals do contain gluten in them. However we have instilled a new IHOP for Me menu that offers several more healthful choices, including fruit plates and other choices that may fit your needs.

Please also be aware that our omelettes do contain a small amount of pancake batter in them in order to attain a texture that the majority of our guests enjoy. While this is addressed in our menu, it is often overlooked. As well, any of our omelettes can be made without the batter by simply requesting with your server that it be left out.

[cleochatra]

It's no small amount that IHOP adds.

Every time I had an omelet there (prior to finding out about the batter) I would leave there starving! It takes a lot of something for me to have blood sugar issues. That was a good amount of batter.

Leave it to them to try and make it seem innocuous. Sheesh!

[Dee1111]

the pancake batter situation is a complete disaster. do you know any other chains off hand that do the same?

[BluePants]

I don't trust the waitresses to know so I just have quit ordering omelets. IHOP use to have a low carb omelet but I think they quit that. You may just tell the waitress your allergic to wheat and ask her to ask the cook if there is anything other than eggs in the omelet egg.

[cleochatra]

Dee-- I wouldn't be shocked to learn that McDonald's used pancake batter either. Any place that serves pancakes could be fluffing up their chicken ova with it.

I don't think Sonic uses pancake batter. I'll have to ask...