HELP: Healthy, long-term packable snacks/meals???

babygirlpriest

Paging Colinda and other healthies:

I have a 10 day convention coming up. I only have a very short break for meals and am really looking at only fast food options (not sure exactly what they'll be). I'd like to not have to depend on fast food for ALL my food.

So, I'd like to pack along some healthy snack/meal replacements. My requirements:

1. Have to be able to buy in DC and fly to ATL. I'm checking baggage so liquids are ok... but, um, they're heavy.
2. I will have a rental car AT SOME POINT but only for 1 day and I have no control over when. So I can do a grocery store run but no clue when.
3. I MIGHT have a fridge. They're on a first come first serve basis and I arrive late - so my chances are slim.
4. I can probably find a 7-11, Delimart type thing within walking distance of the ATL convention center.
5. I LOOOOVE to nibble so "high fiber so it fills you up" is good but being full does NOT = stop eating for me.
6. No clue if I'll have a microwave - doubtful

I think that's it and mega thanks. I've finally gotten serious about tracking food input and exercise and have already dropped weight. I really don't want to break momentum.

ColindaP

If you want to feel full, fiber is actually not the most important thing to get. Fiber makes you feel bloated and physically full, but not chemically satiated. That, my friend, is what fat is for.

Nuts, nut butters w/ fruits/veggies, cheese (if you have a fridge in your hotel room, cheese will be fine out of it for a few hours), I often bring several servings of protein powder, then buy milk and make protein shakes. If you had a small, Magic Bullet type blender you could make smoothies in your hotel room to bring with you. A milk/or coconut milk, almond butter, banana, and whey protein smoothie eats like a meal (and tastes like a milkshake)

Also, for the times you have to do fast food, get small servings and try to avoid unnecessary carbs. So get a (regular, not double w/ bacon) cheeseburger and bring some almonds for a side instead of fries. Also, the fast food salads are ok as long as you edit the extras they like to give you (like 5 times more dressing than necessary, candied walnuts, etc) 

babygirlpriest

ColindaP:

If you want to feel full, fiber is actually not the most important thing to get. Fiber makes you feel bloated and physically full, but not chemically satiated. That, my friend, is what fat is for.

DAMN IT! This is why I don't like playing with you!!!!!!

I was literally eating my 3rd high fiber bar going, "Colinda will probably have something to say about this!!"

Seriously - thank you. I really like cheese and will def. try to stock up on fruit somehow when I arrive.

The protein powder actually sounds like a really good idea for me. I love just plain old flavored milk and that should work for me.

ColindaP

I mean, don't quote me on this or anything, but rumor has it that they have grocery stores in Hotlanta.

babygirlpriest

ColindaP:

I mean, don't quote me on this or anything, but rumor has it that they have grocery stores in Hotlanta.

Problem is the car. I may not have it till the very end of the trip and I really don't want to mess with renting a car just for a grocery run or taking cabs.

I'm pretty sure I can get simple stuff like bananas or apples at the 7-11ish type stuff near the hotel.

LMichelleG

My go-to snacks for this sort of this is as follows:

Almonds (salt-free)
Trail Mix (just can't eat a ton of it)
Apple & a cheese stick
Bananas

Wow! I just realized my go-to snack list is really short. I need to broaden my horizons a bit.