Eating on Trips

[BrettInLJ]

It seems like it would be hard to eat healthy on trips. I know that when I travel and suddenly change my diet by eating out all the time my stomach hates me for it. Does anyone have a strategy, or do you just let your body get used to eating at restaurants constantly?

[project7]

Here ya go.

[jdflight]

That one is super popular. Now, if only they'd tell me how to pack it and not eat everything in the first day!

[Alchemy]

I just eat a lot less. For instance, today all I ate at work was the free ham sandwich we get on flights to mexico. My captain and FA wanted me to go eat fried chicken in the terminal with them, but I had to turn them down. It kinda sucks sometimes, because having meals with people is a great way to get to know them, but I think your health has to come first. After you condition yourself for a few weeks, it's amazing how well you can get by on just a little bit of food. It also makes the 1st year FO budget a little more manageable.

I've actually lost 30 lbs since I started holding a line. I did 3 things:

1. Gave up sodas. I used to drink 3-4 per day. I haven't had one since the beginning of April, not even a diet soda. (caffeine is supposed to create cravings for carbs).

2. Gave up fast food. I haven't eaten at a fast food joint in a few months either, and on the rare occasions when I do, I order a grilled chicken sandwich with no fries and water. I do not count subway as fast food. I order 6" turkey sandwiches from them regularly, occasionaly a seafood and crab if I really feel like splurging. One of the few respectably healthy places to get food in the terminal.

3. Started jogging every chance I get. Most hotels have a treadmill and I will do 3 miles every night if I can. This burns off 400-500 calories and pretty much negates a meal!

My goal is to lose 45 more lbs and get down to 175. As it still stands now I'm still at 220 and pretty badly overweight. We'll see if my fat @ss can stick to it.

One great things about 4 day trips for me is that they're something of a "controlled environment". There is no pressure on the road from friends or family to eat a big meal that they've prepared for you or to over-indulge at a restaurant because they don't want to do it alone. The main pressure on the road is to drink (responsibly and within the rules of course), which can add a lot of calories to your daily intake, but I'd rather drink socially than eat socially at this point.

[Texguy]

Congrats on losing the weight and your willpower. I could tell you've lost weight.

I just jogged 3 miles to somewhat offset the Indian buffet and pint of ice cream I ate last night.

[MQAAord]

I was so poor at Eagle I'd pack my own food. With my small 6-pack sized cooler and a couple cans & a can opener in my bag I could eat for an entire 4 day trip with what I brought with me.

The best part was, not only did it save a TON of money, but I lost a lot of weight then too. That was the thinnest I'd ever been. I was wearing size 4 uniforms comfortably. When I was LGA based with AA and having to commute after 9/11, with the 1 bag 1 personal item rule I couldn't carry my cooler anymore. I was unable to take my own food, and went right back up to a size 6!

Every hotel has one great workout facility, STAIRS. Every hotel has them, just have a pair of running shoes and you're good to go!

[Alchemy]

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Congrats on losing the weight and your willpower

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks man! I still got a long ways to go though. I woke up this morning and my right knee was killing me so I guess I'll have to take a break from the jogging for a few days. Maybe I'll hit the pool for something without the impact.

[NJA_Capt]

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... I was unable to take my own food, and went right back up to a size 6!

[/ QUOTE ]
UP to a size 6 ???!! I know a lot of ladies that would like to have that problem. Better keep those running shoes handy

[Alchemy]

Here is a great article on pilots and nutrition that I stumbled upon and have had bookmarked for a while:

http://www.aviationmedicine.com/obesity.htm#intro

A lot of good info in there, even though most of it is common knowledge.

[pscraig]

It's tough, and I count myself as one of those that carry some food. Usually a couple of the "Instant Lunch" ramen noodle cups-I can make a meal in any hotel, or even on the plane with hot water. I also pack half a dozen granola bars for a trip.

The worst food situations I have so far are the hotel with a restaurant that charges $10 for a salad and/or has no breakfast. Our pickup van times are usually so tight that we have no extra time to eat when we get to the airport, so a free hotel breakfast is nice. Some places we go have none of the above-a little hotel near an airport in the middle of nowhere. That's when the ramen comes in handy.

Of course this does not even address how healthy the food is, just the ability to get food at all. Some terminals have good food too, like our Newark terminal, and I usually get something to go if I have time. Most trips seem to have a combination of bad and good food, and you learn the bad ones very quickly.

[blee256]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Congrats on losing the weight and your willpower

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks man! I still got a long ways to go though. I woke up this morning and my right knee was killing me so I guess I'll have to take a break from the jogging for a few days. Maybe I'll hit the pool for something without the impact.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you tried using the eliptical trainers? I use those because I messed up my knee a few years back, its a lot less impact. i can't stand the treadmill either.

[Mr_Creepy]

Hey I have a weight loss story for you.

Lost 15 lbs! You know how? I got sick

No seriously, I've been drinking a lot of water instead of soft drinks, AND exercising (swimming a lot in the new pool.)

[FlyChicaga]

I eat airport food. I don't eat McDonalds though, but other stuff. You'd be surprised, because you can find healthy stuff in the terminal. Often I'll go to "Chili's Too" and get a burger or salad to go. I'd rather spend $9 on a decent salad than $7 on McDonalds.

On the overnights, I really enjoy going to decent restaurants to get a good meal. In the $15 range I'd say. I'd rather eat good food on the road for a few bucks more, being able to sit down, relax, and eat... rather than pay $10 for some junk.

It usually ends up being:

Starbucks with fruit salad or muffin in the morning
Salad or sandwich in the afternoon
Decent meal in the evening

Some trips, like my next one, don't offer a chance to go get a decent meal on the road. We get in late, and are out early every day. Plus, I don't want to go eating a big meal before bed. So, I'm stuck with airport food. I just hate packing a big bag of food for the road. Tried it once, and although I enjoyed snacking, it was a pain in the ass. I do sometimes bring CLIF bars in my duffle I carry.

At all times, not only trips, I only drink water, cranberry juice, coffee, and beer! All within the allotted FAA and company rules, of course. I hate soda. I also try to drink milk more. Calcium is good for the bones.

[BrettInLJ]

[ QUOTE ]
I eat airport food. I don't eat McDonalds though, but other stuff. You'd be surprised, because you can find healthy stuff in the terminal. Often I'll go to "Chili's Too" and get a burger or salad to go. I'd rather spend $9 on a decent salad than $7 on McDonalds.


[/ QUOTE ]

I ate at Chili's Too at LAX once and got sick. I remember after I finished my horrible sandwich looking up and seeing a "B" rating. I visited the lav a few times per timezone on the flight.

[GrantHubbell]

I sort of have a delema. I am a pickey eater and I want to be an airline pilot as all of you know. According to my docter I am in perfect health and stuff. I'll eat like pasta and hamburgers, and tacos- stuff like that. My problem is I CAN'T eat salad or any green veggies. It makes me almost throw up. I'll eat most fruits, so I guess I eat kinda healthy. I drink a lot of water, a little pop, milk, and stuff like that. I'll eat some sandwiches and definatly Subway. I'll also eat McDs sometimes.

Basically it comes down to this question. Will my eating habits affect me in the long, run??

I am very active and like to workout. Will this affect me as a pilot?

Thanks

[pscraig]

If you like burgers and tacos then you'll love airport food. It's the salads and healthy food that are hard to find.

$9 for a salad? McD's has acceptable salads for $5.

[GrantHubbell]

[ QUOTE ]
If you like burgers and tacos then you'll love airport food. It's the salads and healthy food that are hard to find.

$9 for a salad? McD's has acceptable salads for $5.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know, I love airport food, but the problem is there isn't a subway or panera, or even a bagel place in every terminal. Thats the problem, the "healthy" food I like isn't that common.

[scoobs]

Take your vitamins and you will be okay.

[Stone Cold]

FBO popcorn and Gedunk machines (food simulators, whatever you want to call them) rule. Slushies in LUK. Hot chocolate in AGC.

Mmmmm...food.

I really only eat 2 meals a day now. I eat out, usually Arby's on my way to the airport, food sims throughout the day, then cook when I get to the hotel at 6-6:30 AM.

Time for coffee. I'm currently in Windy Cleveland for another 20 minutes.

[blee256]

[ QUOTE ]
If you like burgers and tacos then you'll love airport food. It's the salads and healthy food that are hard to find.

$9 for a salad? McD's has acceptable salads for $5.

[/ QUOTE ]

aren't McDonald's salads worse for you than the burgers?

[Kingairer]

Its all about the dressing (it can make it worse then just about anything). I dont eat salads though.

[C650CPT]

The Expense Account has been my biggest nemesis ( other than heredity ) in regards to maintaining my proper weight. I have a very liberal expense account and that includes the bar tab. I am so conditioned by this that even when I go out with the family I don't pay much attention to prices, I just tell everyone to get what they want. I used to never order appetizers ... now I do. I am actually in the process of changing my dietary habits, for very obvious reasons, and I can tell you it's not easy. It's a slippery slope.

Jim

[JEP]

[ QUOTE ]
The Expense Account has been my biggest nemesis ( other than heredity ) in regards to maintaining my proper weight. I have a very liberal expense account and that includes the bar tab.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ahh, the spoils of the corporate pilot!

[ricecakecm]

[ QUOTE ]
The Expense Account has been my biggest nemesis ( other than heredity ) in regards to maintaining my proper weight. I have a very liberal expense account and that includes the bar tab. I am so conditioned by this that even when I go out with the family I don't pay much attention to prices, I just tell everyone to get what they want. I used to never order appetizers ... now I do. I am actually in the process of changing my dietary habits, for very obvious reasons, and I can tell you it's not easy. It's a slippery slope.

Jim

[/ QUOTE ]

I have the same problem with my current 135 job. If we want steak for lunch, we get steak. It's not uncommon for us to drop 30 or 40 bucks per person on dinner.

I eat as healthy as I can on the road and exercise as well.

Chris

[MQAAord]

Wow. Steak. Mmmmmmmmmm

When I was at Eagle, I thought it was pretty great when I got 5 minutes to actually SIT and eat a peanut butter & jelly sandwich I'd brought with me. Usually I'd end up stuffing a few bites in my mouth hiding the galley between 'dings' from pax call lights. Probably why I lost so much weight!