ICAMA

Hey icnot4me there are a few things I have done to make things easier on me depending on the trip length. If I am flying then I only pack for the day and then make sure I go shopping as soon as I land. I tend to get vacation rentals there not as expensive as you think or I do extended stay america that includes a hot top. I have to admit though I don't care for that hotel that much but there is a small kitchen.If I do stay there I pack my own knife in my suitcase because I can't stand there cutlery.You will find one pot one pan and a few dishes.I normally will disinfect the whole place when I get there real anal about that kinda thing.You will find them affordable though. If I am just traveling by car I will put a hot plate in my car I try to request a room with a balcony. i got myself one of those camping stoves too sometimes I bring that but you need to get gas at a local store when you arrive or bring some. I can't tell you how much easier that makes it. Then most hotels have small fridges I make sure that the hotel has one before I go and explain that I have severe food allergies. On the road i slice up veggies bring rice cakes, I used to make my saltines. I take tuna for my protein. I used to mash up avocado when i was able to eat them but I have allergies it seems. I could give you a more detailed list of things you could do if I knew your diet in detail. I am quite creative when it comes to cooking. Right now I am relearning how to cook gluten free egg free and with the soy out it is very hard. I don't know how to make it all stick together, but hey thats a whole different subject.I hope that helps if you need food ideas let me know.

I had to travel for business all the time. I learned to feel confident asking restaurants to bring me a big plate of steamed vegetables (no butter). If they had brown rice - great. I found they were also willing to poach some chicken, etc. My husband was also really helpful and he would call ahead and say that I was sick and needed x,y,and z and the restaurants were always great about it (even when there was a pre-fixed meal on new year's eve). I know it seems like you're asking a lot when you're asking for special treatment - but don't worry! Almost all restaurants are happy to help (especially when you call in advance).

Also, for those taking probiotics, if you are traveling abroad, get these ice packs. They stay cool for 15-20 hours and you can get them on ebay for a reasonable fee. http://www.techniice.com/ I was worried that with the security scrutiny with liquids that there would be a problem, but you just need to pull your soft-sided cooler out of your bag when going through security. No one has given me trouble and I've been all over the globe these last two years!

I have become more comfortable with making up my own menu items at restaurants. I also travel with my own bread and have them toast it for me or use it to make a sandwich for me. In the beginning of the diet, restaurants were not something I looked forward to, especially because I was so sensitive to almost everything. As I have progressed in my treatment it has become much easier. Doing some research ahead of time and looking at the menus online is a great help. I find that the restaurants are usually very accommodating. Feeling full can be a challenge, especially early on. Try ordering a side of extra vegetables. I also carried around a tiny bottle of regular olive oil in my purse (inside a plastic bag!). Eggs and toast were usually for breakfast (and vegetables if they are available or a little bit of potatoes), lunch would be some sort of salad usually with some chicken to help me feel satisfied or my bread with some melted cheese and a salad or vegetables. Dinner would usually be chicken, brown rice if they had it, and lots of vegetables. You might want to look into getting a small rice cooker, those are really handy. Have a great time!

Hi icnot4me, I understand your problem, I travel all the time, and although I am a beginning the treatment, I am thinking about what my options are when travelling (specially since different european countries have very different cuisines.) Congrats on your 10th anniversary! If you know where you are going, you could do a search on google maps to spot the restaurants that are in your area. From then on, it will be easier to imagine what will be available to you. I think that all restaurants can prepare a pure salad, rice and simple meat or fish. You could call in advance to explain what you need and ask them about their menu and if they can adjust. A little stove would help lots... true, but in any case, I wish you a wonderful time with your husband!! Let us know how it went :) ballerine