Need advice for traveling with dietary restrictions

18 years ago

My husband has congestive heart failure and is on a low sodium diet. In addition, he's got high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and needs to continue on a weight loss diet. Our son and his family live about 270 miles from us. We only visit about four times a year because my husband tires so easily, and we always stay in a hotel.

Meals are always tricky because of his dietary restrictions. We hate to make things difficult for our son & daughter-in-law by asking them to prepare every meal for us. They've got a two year old and a six month old to take care of. And I don't want to take over their kitchen. At the same time, eating most meals at restaurants over a course of four days is also difficult. We know what to order and what to look for at restaurants. We always buy fruit at the local grocery store to keep in our room for snacks. I even bring along some of the low sodium products I use at home. But eating so many restaurant meals weakens his resolve and eventually takes its toll.

How do you deal with those kinds of problems? Would staying at an "extended-stay" hotel where each room has a kitchenette be a better idea? Have any of you used such a facility? I'm looking for ideas that will lessen the negative impact of our trips. I'm open to all your suggestions.

Thanks!

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Comments (6)

Terri_PacNW
18 years ago
I love staying at Homewood Suites with my brood. They always have a resonable kichenette(oven,range, microwave, small fridge, dishwasher), and often have a decent breakfast and some have afternoon snacks.
Can you talk to your "Kids" ahead a bit, and say you'd "Love" to prepare a few meals while you're there? Gives them a break, and then you know what's going in the food.
beanthere_dunthat
18 years ago
I see you're in Northern CA. There are so many spas in that area with restaurants. That might be an alternative for the occassional meal out. Most are focused on healthy options and used to special dietary requests, especially if you call ahead. Not a total solution, I know, but will still give him the feeling of "eating out" without too much diet sabotage.
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lindac
18 years ago
At a "nice" restraut as opposed to a fast food joint, you should be able to get good low salt and low fat foods....remember to ask for things like a plain grilled chicken breast with no marinade, and peel and eat shrimp, grilled fish, steamed veggies, baked potato and salad with oil and vinegar and a wedge of lemon.
Oatmeal and fruit for breakfast, salad and hard boiled egg for lunch, grilled fish and steamed veggies, and/or a baked potato for dinner....
And you can always get something like a meal in a can like slim fast for a lunch now and then.
Linda C
mimsic
18 years ago
I'm with Terri. There are several hotel chains that have rooms with kitchenettes where you can prepare your own meals. It may seem more expensive for the room, but you won't be spending money in restaurants and in the long run, what you spend on the room may be saved in extra medical expenses if you eat all the wrong foods in restaurants. If you are driving to visit your kids, you may even consider bringing along some home cooked foods or staples that may not be available in the area supermarkets. I used to bring frozen kosher meat in a camp cooler when we traveled because it was not readily available everywhere.
livingthedream
18 years ago
I very much recommend staying at a place where you can cook. Aside from the suite hotels, many time-share resorts also rent out units.

When it comes to restaurants, don't expect much from chains, even the fancier ones, unless your restrictions match up to their corporate menus. But most smaller places, even the non-fancy ones, can be very cooperative. However, it's best to call ahead and discuss your needs. While chefs seem to relish the challenge of making something wonderful despite restrictions, it's good to give them a little time to plan and get ready. And go at a less-busy time.

Also,it's important to bring or make enough treats to counteract the temptations of eating in restaurants and other people's homes. Knowing you can have something truly special later can do a lot to give a person the strength to pick his or her way around the menu.
arabellamiller
18 years ago
I would also recommend staying at a place with a kitchenette. Like mimsic, I often travel with frozen meals in a cooler because of dietary restrictions. It's easy to make things at home and pack them in individual containers for re-heating.

If money isn't an issue, you can also look into calling some personal chefs or caterers. They can prepare delicious meals that will meet your needs.

AM

Need advice for traveling with dietary restrictions

Comments (6)

Terri_PacNW

beanthere_dunthat

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