On the 15th I'm going on a vacation to visit my family as well as my in-laws for a total of about 3 weeks; to save money we are going to be staying with them. It's going to be stressful enough traveling with my son for the first time, but I'm also worried about how I'm going to stay eating healthfully.
I'm not worried about eating healthy with my parents -- they are pretty health-conscious people. But my husband's family is big on fried foods and authentic Mexican dishes. The last few times I've visited they never served any kind of vegetable or fruit. His younger brother and little sister also live in the house and having been raised on that kind of food, I don't know how open they would be to my veggie heavy, low fat, no dairy (I'm BFing and when I eat dairy it gives my son bad gas) cooking.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can stay eating relatively well while I'm on vacation? I don't expect to lose any while I'm away, but if I could just not regain any weight I would be happy. Thanks!
Last edited by DoorAsPirt; 01-12-2009 at 12:57 AM.
I hear you my husbands family only cooks authentic Mexican food when we visit since their from Mexico- and all I can tell you is portion control portion control portion control!- and I agree maybe bring some or go buy some healthy snacks while your there- so since you cant take big hearty helpings you can go back to your room and fill up on something more nutritious. If you don't want to store stuff in there fridge maybe bring a little cooler with snack pack type stuff like those pre portioned carrot stick packs with low fat ranch, apple slices, grapes and string cheese, 90 cal granola bars, rice cakes, nuts, etc..
and if they ask why your not eating bigger portions just say I cant eat to much of this while I'm nursing other wise it gives the baby gas or what ever..
also you may try to turn the tables around and say in thanks of their great hospitality you'd like to cook them dinner one night... or soemthing to that affect.. and make it really yummy and healthy! offer to maybe cook breakfast in the morning.. etc. or bring those little tiny boxes of cereal I think special K and other healthy cereals make those tiny boxes.. or instant packets of oatmeal..-
do an exercise routine and maybe even a longer one while there in the privacy of your bedroom unless your staying in the living room on the pull out bed or something then it might be hard to do in private-
if the weather isn't to cold maybe take the baby for a walk in the stroller it will be a good excuse to get out and get some exercise-
Drink EXTRA water- you'll need to get rid of excess sodium and fat you'll be taking in and water is the best way to get rid of it!
Any opportunity you have to ride along, go to the store with your relatives and pick up some fruit or munching veggies to eat to add to your food. Use your nursing as an excuse to eat foods you want to eat. Otherwise, just try to eat in moderation and drink a lot of water.
I don't know what kind of relationship you have with your in-laws, but if possible, could you share that you are watching your diet? And ask if it would be possible to add a salad to that traditional mexican meal? If you can go heavy on a salad with low cal dressing, then it is easier (and less obvious) to take smaller portions of the rest. Maybe the others aren't interested in eating that, but then it will just leave more for you!
I thinnk everyone is right and plan on eating maybe some almonds and water before meals to prevent overeating. PLus use the baby( I know this sounds horrible) but let them know the baby doesn't tolerate certain foods and you need to eliminate or limit them. Plus drink lot and lots of water.My inlaws are the same butter is her friend and she uses it constantly and it makes my stomach hurt.
Good luck
Since carbs, protein and fat will be readily available to you with their dishes, round out the rest of your day with snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables. I like the idea of using breastfeeding as your excuse to eat differently from them. You could bring a large bowl of cherry tomatoes or something to a meal as your supplement, and bring enough to share with them.
There are lots of veggies that are considered part of traditional mexican food but its a shame if your inlaws don't include those foods in their diet. I went to visit my family recently and I did fairly well (well other than the cookies my mom made).
My mom insists on cooking some stuff although she'll allow me to help her. So for me, made beans (with veggie broth) and brown rice (with veggie broth). Then either I'd cook some veggies or eat the veggies she cooked for me.
Do your inlaws allow you to cook at their house? Could you buy some things to cook?
I say you let them know upfront that you're making an effort to eat healthier meals, for your sake and the sake of their new grandchild. If you're close enough with her, ask your MIL to take you to the grocery store. Then, buy anything you need to supplement the meals your inlaws normally make. Like, if they're making Mexican food, maybe you can have a cup of rice and then some of the chicken they've made and fill the other half of your plate with steamed green veggies and have a salad. That way, you're eating some of what the rest of the family is eating, so your MIL won't think it's about her cooking and you stay on track! Also...buy enough of whatever it is and offer it to everyone else so that you're adding to the meal, and your inlaws won't feel like you're forcing your choices down their throat's by making them cook alternate meals.
If you're not close to your inlaws, do the same thing (just maybe rent a car or take a cab)! There's no sense in wrecking your diet and feeling like crap about it when you had the chance to stand up for yourself and show them who you are. They'll either be fine with it or they won't, but you need to be concerned with keeping yourself healthy and happy. (Don't get me wrong, be as nice about it as possible, but be firm so that they know it's important-- it'll make subsequent visits easier, too because they'll expect it.)
I just returned from a visit to family and while my food choices were not always great I gained only about 2 pounds bc I ran every other day. I ran for a long time. Can you take the baby out for mega walks??
Thanks so much for all the great tips! I have a sling that my son likes to be walked in, so I can walk everyday with him in that, and I'll definitely use nursing as an excuse to avoid the 'bad' food.
Thanks so much for all the great tips! I have a sling that my son likes to be walked in, so I can walk everyday with him in that, and I'll definitely use nursing as an excuse to avoid the 'bad' food.
Well,I am planning to move on a vacation . I was just worrying as to how to manage the foods with my relatives and others. I think I got everything I needed from your discussion. Most importantly I need to take care of my wonderful kid,use him as an excuse to move out of situation that inputs bad food.
Thanks for your support and great advises.
Eating healthy on vacation?
You could bring a large bowl of cherry tomatoes or something to a meal as your supplement, and bring enough to share with them.
I have a sling that my son likes to be walked in, so I can walk everyday with him in that, and I'll definitely use nursing as an excuse to avoid the 'bad' food. 
