low carb on vacation

[elke1007]

Hi,

I've been doing the low carb thing for a little while now and know what to eat and what not to eat.
But we will be travelling in November and I really wonder to handle this.
We live in Europe and will be going to the USA, Florida for almost three weeks.
Our first 5 nights will be spend in a hotel, so we'll have to eat out. After that we have rented a home in orlando, so we can do some cooking ourselves.
But I was wondering what to eat when eating out, my significant other is crazy about Wendy's, Burger King, Denny's, Ihop and Johnny Rocket's. I like Panda express (LOVE that chain),TGI Friday'sand Bubba Gump (another favorite of mine).
Could anyone maybe advise me on what to order at those places? I'm doing extended induction, but I do plan to enjoy myself so I'm thinking about three real cheat meals (one per week basically) and for all my other meals and prefer to stay as close to plan as possible.
I'm also a bit wondering about snacks, any idea what I can ready buy in the grocery store for those first days?

The reason why I want to stay so close to plan is that since I've been doing Atkins, my energy levels are so high, I would really be annoyed if I was tired all the time while holidaying.

Thank you very much.

Elke

[Whatsername]

Most restaurants have their menus online, along with their nutritional information. If you have time, maybe look them all up and then you can have an idea of what kind of choices you may have.
I live in a rural area and don't have any of those type of places here, so I am not familiar with them. (We have McDonalds ).

Have fun on your trip! I went to Florida in November once and it was a great time to go.

Jane

[chauber]

When in doubt, ask the waitress about specific dishes to see what the ingredients are. Most of the time they will even bring you a printed list so that you can read over it for hidden carbs.

Some suggestions:

Wendy's meat from a burger, no bun, lettuce, tomatoe, onion, mayo, mustard and a side salad (you may want to get your own individual packets of dressing from the grocery store--they put alot of sugar in their dressings)

Burger King - a bunless whopper without ketchup

Denny's - Has a lot to offer...a steak/egg meal, just a steak, eggs, bacon, sausage, a bunless burger without ketchup, a salad without crutons.

IHOP...would be the death of me, pancakes are my weakness, but the do offer omelets, eggs, bacon, and sausage

TGI Fridays...steak, grilled chicken or fish without added sauces, salad, bunless burger

Bubba Gump...shrimp scampi, grilled or blackened fish

Perkins...not on your list but they have the best steak omlet...yummy!

Most of these restraunts will serve salad for veggies or steamed seasonal veggies (typically broccoli and carrots...just eat around the carrots)

Good luck!

[msanjelpie]

Originally Posted by chauber

IHOP...would be the death of me, pancakes are my weakness, but they do offer omelets, eggs, bacon, and sausage

Stay away from the omelettes, IHOP puts pancake batter in them...

[pagliaccia]

Originally Posted by msanjelpie

Stay away from the omelettes, IHOP puts pancake batter in them...

Hahhaha, are you serious? That's insane.

[chauber]

Originally Posted by msanjelpie

Stay away from the omelettes, IHOP puts pancake batter in them...

Actually...you can ask for them WITHOUT the pancake batter in them. Just do it when you order.

[Timlin]

I didn't realize the menus were on line. I'm going to check that out because we are on holiday next week for 2 weeks. I have no idea how I'm going to survive without drawing a lot of attention to myself when we are with family. (panic!)

[chauber]

Originally Posted by Timlin

I didn't realize the menus were on line. I'm going to check that out because we are on holiday next week for 2 weeks. I have no idea how I'm going to survive without drawing a lot of attention to myself when we are with family. (panic!)

Attention is not a bad thing...you deserve some...you are over half way to your goal! If you feel uncomfortable about telling your family that you are on Atkins just tell them that you have found that eliminating all processed foods from your menu that you are feeling better than you ever have before. Also emphasize to them that you want to enjoy the vacation and if you eat the carb-laden junk you will feel sluggish and awful! They should understand.

[elke1007]

Thank you so much for the replies!
I have been checking the online menus, but I'm not sure how many carbs there are in a bun.

But it seems that with sticking with bunless burgers and salads, I'll be just fine .
ANd we'll be doing a lot of , so I'll get plenty of excercise.

[atkinsgal08]

>>I'm not sure how many carbs there are in a bun.>>

Some of the websites allow you to "build a menu" so you can find the information about just one item.

For example, a regular bun at McDonald's is 28 total carbs and 1 gr. of fiber.

Panda Express is pretty hard ... I would rather find a non-chain Chinese/Oriental restaurant and have the food custom made.

You might try eating at some non-chain places ... it's generally better tasting food.

As you're looking at those on-line menus, look at the ingredients, too. I very seldom eat chicken at one of those "fast food" places ... since it's hardly chicken.

For example, the chicken at McDonald's is:

"Boneless, skinless chicken breast filets with rib meat containing: up to 12% of a solution of water, seasoning [salt, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, spices, whey, flavor (maltodextrin, natural flavors (vegetable source), dextrose, monosodium glutamate), partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils, Romano cheese (Romano cheese {milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, calcium chloride}, nonfat dry milk, disodium phosphate), parmesan cheese powder (enzyme modified parmesan cheese {milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, calcium chloride}, nonfat dry milk, disodium phosphate), methylcellulose, xanthan gum, cheese flavor (dehydrated cheddar cheese {cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes}, maltodextrin, autolyzed yeast extract), extractives of paprika (color), potassium sorbate (preservative), citric acid, and less than 2% silicon dioxide added to prevent caking], vegetable oil [partially hydrogenated soybean oil, corn oil, citric acid (preservative)], sodium phosphates. May contain wheat from contact with Crispy Chicken Breast Filet."

The burger is 100% beef.

Make sure you read the chapter in your DANDR on "Eating in the Real World" and make the best choices you can.

No need to let this vacation derail you.

Many of us vacation and remain true to Atkins!