Food while traveling

[gbailey]

Hi everyone. I'm traveling with DH and DD in a couple of months to visit family. We're staying at a hotel with a refrigerator and microwave. We'll be there for Saturday, Sunday and leaving Monday. Since we don't give DD fast food, sugar or cook her food with salt, I'm not keen on her eating at the restaurants we'll end up eating at because they don't offer many health options for a toddler or at the relatives homes (DH and I don't eat their food. Too much salt). I'm not concerned about breakfast but lunch and dinner for DD. Any easy suggestions? I've thought about making her food and freezing it in those frozen food type containers.

[LizaBear]

Is there a real reason (aside from the obvious overall health benefits) that you MUST avoid sugar and salt for this 3-day trip ?

Is she allergic ?
Do they cause an overt reaction in behaviour or gastro issues ?

Or just plain preference ?

It seems like you'll be willing to lower your personal food expectations for yourself during this time - can you relax them for your child for this weekend to make the trip easier on yourself ?

Pack healthy options that are easy on you, that pack and travel easily, and won't cause a lot of hassle for YOU. But, unless it is necessary, I'd not worry about packing every morsel that will pass her lips.

You won't enjoy the trip if every step is worrying about food (believe me - I travel with a child with anaphylactic food allergies).

[gbailey]

Originally Posted by LizaBear

Is there a real reason (aside from the obvious overall health benefits) that you MUST avoid sugar and salt for this 3-day trip ?

Is she allergic ?
Do they cause an overt reaction in behaviour or gastro issues ?

Or just plain preference ?

It seems like you'll be willing to lower your personal food expectations for yourself during this time - can you relax them for your child for this weekend to make the trip easier on yourself ?

Pack healthy options that are easy on you, that pack and travel easily, and won't cause a lot of hassle for YOU. But, unless it is necessary, I'd not worry about packing every morsel that will pass her lips.

You won't enjoy the trip if every step is worrying about food (believe me - I travel with a child with anaphylactic food allergies).

Hi! It's a plain preference about the sugar and salt. We don't give her anything with high fructose corn syrup and she's on an organic diet. I don't mind relaxing a bit about organic stuff because I know she'll have non organic food at other peoples homes when she's older but the sugar and salt thing I don't feel comfortable with. We'll be in the south and in this area the only options are either waffle house or fast food. Fortunately, it's only a few days so I have time to figure out something that will work and not cause me a lot of stress. I appreciate your tips and advice!

[alegna]

It shouldn't be too hard to have a waffle house prepare a scrambled egg without salt.

I agree- make your life easy- such strong restrictions usually aren't really worth it.

-Angela

[gbailey]

Originally Posted by alegna

It shouldn't be too hard to have a waffle house prepare a scrambled egg without salt.

I agree- make your life easy- such strong restrictions usually aren't really worth it.

-Angela

We actually don't have a problem with the way we choose to feed her (the "restriction" is one we feel comfortable with!) but wanted ideas on the best way to go about things while we're away. Your idea is a good one. Thanks. Since we'll be spending time at a relatives home she also offered her kitchen while we are there so that was generous and will be helpful.

[lifeguard]

When eating in a restaurant with ds I have asked for things not on the menu like steamed veggies or a plain egg or whole wheat toast plain. If they have the ingredients for one of their dishes they should be able to accomodate you.

Otherwise I'd bring a small cooler with stuff that you do like dc to have. How old is dc? Ds is 11 mos & mostly bf so when I dont' find choices I'm 100% happy with for him I just don't feed him any food & he bf's more.

[TheGirls]

I think it really depends on how old the child is, and how much she eats as far as solids. For DD, who's 16 months but still about 75% BF, I'd just pick up some fruit and cheese at a supermarket and supplement that with whatever I could get at restaurants (an egg, some plain rice, etc. But a weaned older child might need more....

[JessicaS]

Most places will make food without salt if you ask them.

Waffle house can make poached eggs, oatmeal, grits (yum!) and they usually have some fruit. Sonic has apples and bananas.

Chick-Fil-A's has fruit salad as a side choice and you can also get chicken salad, chicken soup and other things that are probably not as bad as "fried chicken."

Those are places you will find to be fairly common in the south. Chick-fil-a is my waterloo as far as avoiding fast food.

I don't really know where you are going so it is hard to say for sure..you can always bring a cooler and stop by a TJs or WF on the way. There are quite a few in the South.

You might also check online or their chamber of commerce to see what else might be available.

You might also keep an eye out for roadside stands for fresh fruit and veggies.

[Multimomma]

living in the south, I can assure you that we have lots of reasonable restaurants. And most fast food places have options for grilled chicken (just ask for no seasonings), fresh fruits and veggies. And you'll never see roadside produce like you do here....everywhere! If you are going very rural, then I'd count on not eating in restaurants and eating lots of fresh produce.

[Sol_y_Paz]

Take a big cooler of your favorite foods for you guys, stock with ice as needed. Have fun!