Lessons Learned

My two and a half day trip to Birmingham was quite educational. I took my own food hoping that I could get by with it, continue to eat healthy, and not pay the prices the hotel charged for meals. Despite this I ended up eating three tiny meals that did not include food from my cooler and these meals included things I'm not supposed to be eating yet (like potato soup). Tolerated most of those things pretty well but I did get sick Friday night after eating some weird kind of green beans. I think it was because the beans were barely cooked and still very crisp but I'm not sure. This was my first trip away from home since my surgery and as I said it was educational. I've learned that on those occasions when I may be eating out that I need to either eat my protein before leaving home or take some cheese with me. And I've come to realize that its okay to say no when I'm not certain if I can, or should, eat what is being put in front of me. I have another trip planned for next month. I hope I do better with my eating on that trip.

Some lessons are painful to learn... the important thing is to learn.

I think you'll find it easier the further out you get.  I'm happy that so far everywhere we have traveled for work or pleasure that I can eat out because I had no intentions of giving it up.  I'm careful about what I choose and ask questions if I don't know what is in an item on the menu.  Sometimes I ask the chef to leave off a sauce, gravy, etc. so I don't have to scrape it off.  I ask for it on the side if I'm sharing with my spouse.   I also ask for my vegetables "naked".  Or ask what is diabetic friendly (I'm not diabetic) and see if it fits my guidelines.  I've never had a problem getting what I need and continue to have great meals.  My husband usually shares with me and he's not felt that he's been denied flavor.  I think the industry caters more to pleasing a variety of diners nowadays.  I can't speak for all the fast food places as there are only a select few that I go to if I have to go. 

I've been very pleasently surprised that almost everywhere, if I just ask for what I want, they will do it.  Even if it is not on the menu or means they have to do something different.  Like ordering a burrito without the shell.  Or switching potatoes and veggies.  Pretty much anything they can do, they are willing to do. 

It does get easier as time goes on but keeping a supply of food helps too.

Eating away from home can be difficult. You never really know what goes in your food.
Those beans may have had butter or oil or something you were not aware of.

I think the fact that you took your own food for two and a half days is good planning.

The ability to say no when something is put in front of you is a tough one. Especially if you were  taught to always finish what was on your plate and don't waste food like many of us have.