Keeping Diets while on the Go

Keeping a diet – whether it is for weight loss, health problems or special diet like vegetarian or kosher – from our own kitchen is relatively easy, but away from home is another story. Whether we eat out or travel, some preparation should be made to maintain our diet.

The following mostly excerpted from an article by Sarah Schlichter in Independent Traveler:

1. Destinations

a. Research your destination regarding local eating customs. Search in websites about your particular condition for useful tips, restaurant and accommodation directories and links to local support groups in your destination.

b. Call ahead. Given plenty of notice, most travel outfitters can make arrangements to meet your dietary needs. Before dining out, ask your destined eateries to fax you take out menus and choose your entree ahead of time.

c. Bring a food allergy translation card, which explain your allergy or other dietary restriction in local languages of your destined country. Several companies offer these wallet-size cards.

2. Transportation

a. Whenever possible, bring your own food onto the plane or train. Find out and follow all pertinent airport security rules and customs regulations. Traveling by car, keep your foods in a cooler for longer freshness.

b. Most airlines can accommodate a wide variety of special diets upon advance notice requested at least 24 hours earlier. Many airlines no longer serve peanuts on flights while others will refrain serving them knowing a passenger has severe allergy. Check their website for this policy.

c. Cruise lines have grown increasingly accommodating of special diets. Vegetarians in particular will find at least one option in most onboard restaurants, while other dieters should call ahead of time to make arrangements.

3. Accommodations
Whenever possible, book accommodations where you can cook for yourself, such as vacation rentals, home exchanges, or a hotel with a kitchen. In some cases the owners of a small bed and breakfast may grant you access to their kitchen.

4. Restaurants

a. Inside your country, chain restaurants where you've eaten in the past are good choices – you're already familiar with the menu and know which items you can eat.

b. Explain your dietary needs to the waiter or chef. Don't hesitate to ask them to modify a dish – boil, broil or roast entrees and sides that usually batter-dipped or fried – or to prepare something aside from the menu — most restaurants can quickly prepare a simple dish such as veggie-only salad.

c. For weight losing dieters eating out remember the following:

(1). Make your earlier meals smaller; have a small, healthful snack in between to quell hunger so you're not end up overeating.

(2). Order an appetizer, plus a side salad if necessary and then stick with a single entrée.

(3). Choose lean cut meats like loin or flank; elect steamed, roasted, broiled, boiled, grilled, or baked poultry.

(4). Avoid cream sauces, butter, oil, battered or batter-dipped and gravy.

(5). Ask the server to wrap up half your meal before you start eating.

(6). Banish buffets. Given more choices we tend to eat more.

5. Medical Considerations

a. Make sure you have adequate medical insurance in the case of an allergic reaction.

b. Research hospitals, doctors or other medical providers where you're going.

c. Carry your doctor’s written explanation of your condition, medical history and how you should be treated in the case of an allergic reaction, along with his/her contact information at all times. Consider wearing a medical ID bracelet.

d. Bring a full supply of antihistamines, epinephrine needles or any other medications for dealing with an allergic reaction.