Eating on-the-go with DS?

[Deleted]

Hi Everyone,

I want to ask about eating "out" with DS, at least for the first few years. I'm not asking about restaurant eating, as I know you can curtail your ordering to meet your needs in that setting. 

What I am asking about is day-to-day eating on the run (at work, while driving between cities, travelling...etc).

What kind of options are people using? I am a fairly busy person (unfortunately), and I am on-the-go daily. While I try to eat home made food as much as possible, its just not realistically possible often given my schedule (I realize that is not absolutely true, but it is essentially true for me).

For instance, when I have to work late and can't go home or to a restaurant for dinner, I might grab a side-salad and sandwich/burger, or a pita-sandwich/wrap, ready-made full-salad with dressing...etc, etc....

Just wondering...apologies if this is trivial or has been covered elsewhere.

Thanks,
R
 
 

[goodkel]

I was eating fast food during my first month. Wendy's chili and Taco Bell refried beans. I would get tacos and only eat the meat and cheese inside.

The worst part of a fast food sandwich for DSers (or anyone, really) is the bun. Get it wrapped in lettuce or only use the bun as a holder, peel it back and toss it as you go. Get your pita and only eat the innards.

Wendy's hamburgers seem to be less dense than other chains' and were easiest on my new stomach.

Dark meat chicken has always gone down easily. Go to KFC and get some legs and thighs.
Get a fish filet from Long John Silver's.

For things you can carry with you, try hard boiled eggs, yogurt, nuts, jerky, and cheese. I really like those individually wrapped cheddar cheese bars you can buy in a bag at the grocery store. Any 7-11 will carry all of the above, too.

This is not trivial and it doesn't matter if it has been discussed before.

But, since you mentioned it, here is a list of foods high in protein: weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/thread/2062/foods-high-protein

And here are lists of low carb fruits and vegetables: weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/thread/9387/low-carb-fruits-vegetables

This board is packed with information. I don't expect you to know where to find everything right out the gate.

[Deleted]

thanks GoodKel...you're awesome!

[west4thavenue]

Jun 27, 2015 13:50:45 GMT -5 @revision said:

Hi Everyone,

For instance, when I have to work late and can't go home or to a restaurant for dinner, I might grab a side-salad and sandwich/burger, or a pita-sandwich/wrap, ready-made full-salad with dressing...etc, etc....

Hi, R.

You are going to have to lose the bread, especially the first year.  Deli wraps (meat wrapped in cheese or vice-versa) work beautifully.  Lettuce wraps as goodkel has suggested.  I'm big on nuts and cheese myself.  Grocery store roasted chicken is your best buddy.  Rethink finger food.  Stuff some handiwipe things in your desk and car.  The side salad is fine, but you're better off with a salad that has some meat. 

It takes a little time to wrap your head around the no bread thing.  But work on it.  You will get used to this kind of eating and as that weight comes off and your health improves, you won't miss it. 

[whit]

I always have nuts and or Jerky in my purse. Just in case. I love mexican food. I have been ordering a taco salad and asking them to make it w/o the shell. If it's there I'll eat it. Same with burgers. I will ask them to remove the top bun for me.

I will routinely bring a huge salad to work with tons of protein- Rotisserie chicken, cheese nuts stuff like that. I make it big enough to eat half and save the second half for later. I bring string cheese , hard boiled eggs and rollups as extras and keep in a cooler bag. If I do not eat it I just put it in the fridge for lunch the next day.

I always grab extra packets of mayo and mustard when I can they last forever.

Editing to add...when I fly I always pack a salad. I use a hearty lettuce like Kale (see above for ingredients) and dressing in a small container. I have never had an issue with TSA. 


Whit

[caprice]

If you are able to keep a plate and a sharp knife at your job, it makes any deli sandwich so much better, because you can just peel all the bread off of the thing, then eat it with a fork.
And, I went into my first ever Jimmy John's last week and discovered that they will make any of their sandwiches as a wrap, with the wrapper being a big ole piece of iceberg lettuce. I think I'm in love. Meat, cheese, Hellman's mayo, alfalfa sprouts and a bit of tomato. It all holds together surprisingly well.

Hope that is helpful.

[caprice]

Hey Monica!
You said: you're better off with a salad that has some meat. 

Ahem...... You meant to say "meat that has a little salad", right?

[goodkel]

Always eat the salad AFTER you have finished your protein.

I love Wendy's salad with grilled chicken, cranberries and apple slices that comes with a little bag of pecans to sprinkle in it. I don't use the packet of vinaigrette that comes with it. I take it home and douse it with full fat peppercorn ranch. Yum.

Tonight I had an Arby's roast beef sandwich with just the top bun--I like sesame seeds.

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Just another idea, we love horses, so I carry what I call my feed bag. It's always filled with beef jerky, sunflower seeds, tuna fish packets, artificial sweetener (some are against this), lunch meat sometimes (if so, there's a cold pack in there). It also has my water, protein drink, and anything else my heart desires. I always keep it packed so it's always ready to go. I'm addicted to beef jerky, by the way, sweet and hot, mmmmmmm.

Good luck,
Kelly

[Deleted]

Thanks Monica! I was doing good with the bread (that is, not eating it) when I first had my RNY and am doing well to stay away now post-VSG, so I think I will be able to make the shift again.  Thanks for the great suggestions and insights!!

[Deleted]

Thanks Caprice! Really appreciate the suggestions. In Canada, we have a bit less eat-out options overall, but I will definitely be able to incorporate some of your suggestions.


Any insights on McNuggets/Wendy's Chicken Nuggets? I searched and saw a brief discussion on this on the forum, but it shifted focus after a few posts. I LOVE McNuggets and would be in heaven if they worked post-DS, but I suspect that they are really not high-enough in protein and the coating probably is an issue (in addition to all the other crap they put into fast food lol!!!). But they would work really well for me on-the-go.

Thanks again!

R

 

[Deleted]

thanks Whit!...I think nuts and cheese will work really really well for me. If I could add a quick meat source (like chicken nuggets for instance), that would round it out for me.

Bests,
R

[Deleted]

great idea!!......I think a feed bag idea will work well for me and my lifestyle. Thanks. 

[goodkel]

Jun 28, 2015 18:59:47 GMT -5 @revision said:

Any insights on McNuggets/Wendy's Chicken Nuggets? I searched and saw a brief discussion on this on the forum, but it shifted focus after a few posts. I LOVE McNuggets and would be in heaven if they worked post-DS, but I suspect that they are really not high-enough in protein and the coating probably is an issue (in addition to all the other crap they put into fast food lol!!!). But they would work really well for me on-the-go.

 

Click on the images to enlarge.
Interesting that they have the same protein and carbs count, but Wendy's is for one additional piece. In a daily carb count of 50-100, 12 is not excessive.

McDonald's Chicken McNuggets
( per 4 pieces)


Wendy's Chicken Nuggets
(per 5 pieces)

[caprice]

Jun 28, 2015 19:15:34 GMT -5 goodkel said:

Jun 28, 2015 18:59:47 GMT -5 @revision said:

Any insights on McNuggets/Wendy's Chicken Nuggets? I searched and saw a brief discussion on this on the forum, but it shifted focus after a few posts. I LOVE McNuggets and would be in heaven if they worked post-DS, but I suspect that they are really not high-enough in protein and the coating probably is an issue (in addition to all the other crap they put into fast food lol!!!). But they would work really well for me on-the-go.

 

Click on the images to enlarge.
Interesting that they have the same protein and carbs count, but Wendy's is for one additional piece. In a daily carb count of 50-100, 12 is not excessive.

McDonald's Chicken McNuggets
( per 4 pieces)
View Attachment

Wendy's Chicken Nuggets
(per 5 pieces)

View Attachment

I have a theory about that....
The last time I bit into a nugget from Wendy's, the meat had texture of chicken meat.
The last time I bit into one from McDonald's, it was more the texture of pressed, cooked chicken slurry. My guess is that there is more protein in meat than in meat slurry..
It has been a long time since I have had the McDonald's product, so maybe that has changed. I hope it has.

[newyorkbitch]

Jun 28, 2015 18:59:47 GMT -5 @revision said:

Thanks Caprice! Really appreciate the suggestions. In Canada, we have a bit less eat-out options overall, but I will definitely be able to incorporate some of your suggestions.


Any insights on McNuggets/Wendy's Chicken Nuggets? I searched and saw a brief discussion on this on the forum, but it shifted focus after a few posts. I LOVE McNuggets and would be in heaven if they worked post-DS, but I suspect that they are really not high-enough in protein and the coating probably is an issue (in addition to all the other crap they put into fast food lol!!!). But they would work really well for me on-the-go.

Thanks again!

R

 

I'm just going to suggest that you buy chicken nuggets that are not processed crap from a fast food chain and have very little coating. Decent versions are available in the supermarket, and you can defrost and stick them in a container and have them whenever you want - they are fine at room temperature and will not go bad all day.

Get an insulated bag and put an ice pack in it - keep on hand: nuts and cheese and greek yogurt and hardboiled eggs and meat. You need high protein, very low carbs (kill the bread and pita).

This is about getting healthy - I read too much on here about people eating processed fast food crap way too much. The goal is health. I mean come on now, you're a physician.

[mark540]

I eat breakfast on the go most every day. My primary food of choice is scrambled eggs and a sausage patty at McDonald's. also easy to get a breakfast sandwich there and toss off 90% of the muffin or biscuit.

At lunch it's Wendy's for a double cheeseburger, toss the bun and some baked tater with sour cream or KFC for chicken.

Dinner in a hurry can be as easy as a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, the leftovers go well the next day at work.

[Deleted]

Thanks Mark for your very useful insights! Most appreciated.

Quick question....are you able to tolerate the skin on the KFC, or do you find you have to remove it? (I'm sure its likely a YMMV-type situation).

As an aside, I do totally agree that fast food eating is not at all ideal, not should we be encouraging it, but I do appreciate all this great feedback for those times when it can't be realistically avoided.

Many thanks everyone.

R

[caprice]

When you say "the skin on the KFC", you mean the skin and the breading attached to it? Or does KFC offer fried chicken with no breading, only skin?

[Deleted]

Sorry, yes, I meant the skin with the coating (that's the only way I've seen it). I think that is the only way we have it offered up here (I haven't eaten at KFC for awhile). 

[newyorkbitch]

Jul 2, 2015 12:35:58 GMT -5 @revision said:

Sorry, yes, I meant the skin with the coating (that's the only way I've seen it). I think that is the only way we have it offered up here (I haven't eaten at KFC for awhile). 

Take the skin off. You don't need the carbs in the breading.

KFC also sells grilled chicken.

[goodkel]

Original recipe KFC doesn't have all that usual fried chicken coating on it.

[mark540]

The skin and coating do not bother me. If they are a problem for you try the grilled chicken at KFC.

[jpcello]

Early out (first year or so) you need to limit your carbs as much as possible. Many people stick to 50 grams of carbs or less per day. This simply helps with the weight loss. Everyone will react differently.

I can only speak for me but once I reached my goal weight I was able to start experimenting on what I could eat, what I couldn't eat, what I should eat, what I shouldn't eat. It's also learning how your body reacts to certain foods.

The first couple of years is totally focused on getting (and staying) healthy. Taking your vitamins, getting your protein and water in. Introducing exercise when the time comes.

This is all part of the DS process. It takes several years to learn to live with the DS. This is a marathon that takes time.

Eventually (and I mean years away) you will probably be able to eat anything you want (within reason) as long as you are getting in your vitamins, protein and water. I'm 12 years post-op and I've learned what works (or doesn't work) for me.

[Deleted]

Thanks JP!

Great perspective.....very helpful to hear.

Many thanks for sharing your insights.

R

[Melinda]

Do you have Arbys? That is one of my favorite go to places if I must have fast food. I buy the larger roast beef sandwich and throw away the massive bun lol. I eat the meat, dip it in mayo with some horseradish, or some Arby's sauce - yummy! I may even help myself to a few of my hubby's curly fries . . . after I eat the protein of course.

Personally, to this day I still cannot eat McD's! I wish I could because I stop there every single day on my way to work to get their large unsweet tea, it's my "coffee". Their food still upsets my stomach, or sits there like a giant rock and I'm 14 years out. About the only thing I can tolerate if I'm desperate and starving and there is nothing else around is their filet of fish, and I throw away half of the bread. Occasionally I have had a McChicken. We had to have breakfast on the way to a concert once when we were out of town so I had a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit and ended up discarding most of the biscuit basically.

Chik Filet is my 2nd favorite fast food. I love getting their chicken strips. Hardly any breading at all and they always taste so good. You can also order grilled if you choose to. I actually like their breakfast burritos, too. They taste very fresh and are really full of scrambled eggs and whatever meat you choose (sausage or the chicken). Unfortunately I don't pass one during my daily commute.

Honestly those are the only ones I would stop at. I'm not sure which are available to you, but I have been known to have little snack baggies stashed in my purse and glove compartment of my car with cashews, dry roasted peanuts and sunflower seeds!

Hope this helps!

Melinda

[Deleted]

Hi Melinda,

Thanks so much for sharing your awesome insights.

We do have Arby's in Canada, not near me, but I will definitely use your technique when I'm on the road.

I LOVE Chik-fil-a...sadly, they're not in Canada, but I always enjoy it whenever I visit the land of the free!

Have been putting together some snacks bags as people have suggested and they work great....cheese and nuts are solid on the road. The high-protein, high-fat diet is agreeing with me!

Thanks again.

R

[derinoe]

Hi R! I was really excited to see that you are from Canada. I have had a chance to visit a month ago and fell in love with your peameal bacon!!! It is cured, so you can easily fry some up ahead of time and keep with you in a cooler. I would pack some eggs, cheese, nuts, small mayo packs (you can even take couple extra from fast food places that you travel through). Another thing that I was surprised to try on my visit is Tom Horton's. I am not a fan of fast food, but their sliced beef and cheese was really nice and juicy. They will sub a bun for the cheese croisant for free, I had maybe about 1/5 or1/4 of it. Anyhing to do with BBQ is your friend, as long is it not loaded with added sugar. We have been smoking low and slow our own meat, it can last you the whole week vacuum sealed. Also cold smoked fish and cheese been my favorite thing. Hope it helps.