The traveling ketovore

The traveling ketovore
Photo by Markus Spiske / Unsplash

You are on the road.  Perhaps flying, perhaps driving, maybe you live in an RV  or you are camping on your trip.  You need to eat.  You prefer to stay in your lane- you eat a special diet and you don't need the issues that occur if you cheat on your eating plan.  I eat keto/ketovore and sometimes more of a low carb but it is challenging to stick to this while traveling.  You are in new areas, and the places that are your go to's just may not be available.  A lot of my ideas for this article are from You-tube or personal experience.  

Mexican-salads, fajitas, no tortillas, burrito bowls.  Add avocado for some much needed fats.  If you eat dairy, cheese and sour cream will make it more filling and the food will fill you up longer.  I also like the combinations that have meat, onions, peppers, sometimes mushrooms with a cheese of some type.  Skip the rice and beans or even choose meals that do not come with these options.  Also reject the chips.  If they are on the table, you will munch!  OK, maybe you are really good, but it isn't gluten, so I will munch.

Burgers or sandwich type places.  No bun.  Lettuce wraps or skip the wrap if keto, or low carb.  Gluten free buns or often an option.  Meat, cheese, onions, lettuce tomato, use your veggies in moderation if ketovore, no veggies if full on carnivore.  You could add a salad with full fat dressing, skipping the extras.

Salads.  I like the ones with lots of meat, I still get the dressing on the side because soggy salads suck, but I use it generously.  Many times a gluten free choice can be challenging but I find salads can usually be safe, no fried meats no croutons.

Breakfast.  Tell them you are allergic.  I ask for my omelets to be made without the premix eggs, if they can't, and it seems like a lot of times they won't you could go for an egg white omelet.  I prefer to then get my eggs cooked my way.  You can order off of the a la carte menu, or some places have combination choices.  I am thinking of Denny's.  Be aware that IHOP has a statement on the menu that their omelets are not gluten free.  I have heard from others who don't tolerate gluten that pancake batter is added to the omelets.  This is word of mouth, I have seen the warning on a menu in Texas, but I did not verify this.

Steak and seafood places.  YUM  Steak is great, be aware that spices could be added that would mess with your gluten sensitivity, ask.  Sea food is often grilled with very light spicing.  Makes for a yummy choice.  Not frugal unless you are on the coast, and even then lunch is a better choice is you want to have steak or seafood as prices are often less, and there could be lunch specials.

Other ways to save, order water with your meal, skip the expensive beverage.  Carry simple cooking equipment, or stay in rooms with a microwave and fridge so that you can  heat up your choices.  A simple portable French press can be used for your coffee.  If you want to soak up the atmosphere of an expensive restaurant, go for appetizers, or dessert.

I will expand on a simple menu for tiny kitchens in my next Meaty Monday.