On-the-go recipes and hints

• By joyceg98
• Posted July 27, 2008 at 11:41 am

Peanut Butter and Apple

One slice of bread, two tablespoons of peanut butter, and an apple makes a healthy 400-calorie lunch that will keep you satisfied. And these are ingredients you can stick into your purse at the hotel breakfast buffet, or buy at a convenience store and store in your hotel room without refrigeration.

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• By Melbeth
• Posted July 27, 2008 at 11:59 am

Since learning in June that my 6 year old daughter has VHL, as well as me, we have been trying to implement some new healthy snack ideas into our crazy schedules! One thing that has been successful for us has been smoothies. I use Dannon Light and Fit yogurt as a base cause it has WAY less sugar than most yogurts. We get the strawberry flavored one. And then we just start dumping stuff in! Strawberries, bananas, peaches...whatever fruit you like. Then blend the mixture until it reaches the desired consistency, which is up to you. Sometimes I add a little 2% milk to the mixture, but you don't have to. We make up a big batch and keep in it the fridge. It is a great kid snack that is easy to pour into something to take on-the-go as well. It's very filling and I really enjoy it too!

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• By ALB
• Posted July 27, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Yeah, I'm one to talk, all I do is eat on the go.

Trail mixes (look for lower fat versions) are good as is microwave popcorn (without buttery madness). Both travel well.

Institutional food is almost always a disaster. Even at NIH my hubby had a hard time finding good meals at the clinical care center. The one caf is pretty standard and the one with nicer food is more expensive. Don't tell me about salad bars. Even as a vegetarian I know you can't live on that multiple meals a day.

The humorous response to this is "move to Providence" where restaurants with good food choices (and healthier cooking practices) are easy to find.

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• By joyceg98
• Posted July 27, 2008 at 1:55 pm

Great ideas!

Watch those yogurt containers -- don't just read about fat and calories, read also what sweeteners are being used. Sugar is the best sweetener, aspartame is not good. When in doubt, buy plain yogurt and add your own fruit and sweeteners! It's cheaper too!

One notion about salads: maybe carry a bag of your favorite raw nuts (not salted) to add to salads, or maybe a bag of raw unsalted sunflower seed kernels? Either one will add some good protein and friendly-fats (omega-3) to keep you satisfied. Either one will travel well in a suitcase, purse, or backpack and doesn't need refrigeration.

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• By kminer
• Posted July 28, 2008 at 5:51 pm

Mrs. May's sells healthy nut snacks (no peanuts) through Costco. They have a wide selection of fruit and nut products that are dairy, wheat and gluten free. There are no additives or preservatives. The website is mrs. mays.com. I'm allergic to peanuts among many, many other foods and additives so this is a great on the go snack. Part of your purchase goes to Wheels for the World.

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• By JennyBlue
• Posted July 29, 2008 at 11:04 am

It is amazing to me that institutional food, especially when directly related to improving health is so deplorable.
I have written directly to the nutrition department at the hospital that I frequent to encourage some changes, especially in their post-op food service. ie. not sending gas inducing veggies to a person who has just had half a pancreas removed, or general anesthesia of any kind, not sending soups (without an accompanying food service helper) to someone directed to lay flat on their back for the first 24 hours after spinal surgery.... these are things that should be intuitive, and yet occur and are inane!

As for healthy snacks on the go -
Packing lots of small water bottles with the squeeze nipple-type tops. Especially if limited mobility will be an immediate concern. You can get these ahead at the supermarket. 20 oz of water can be a huge weight if you have just had neurosurgery. The smaller, the better, and squeeze tops limit the amount of spillage. Have someone hand one to you before they leave for the night, you can keep it in bed with you, and not worry about falling asleep with it.

I have also taken small boxes of Cheerios and Nature Valley Granola bars for long stays. Hunger pangs in the middle of the night should not be keeping you up, when you know you only have three hours between nurses waking you for your vital signs.

Keeping portions and containers small and easy to access is the best advice from my experience.

We are a very High Fructose Corn Syrup, and Transfat aware household. We read labels like maniacs. So, my take-along sandwich is usually a PB&J on Ultimate Grains bread, with PB and J with natural sources of sugar, ie. honey or cane, or no sugar at all.

In the vicinity of my hospital of choice, there is a Wendy's, not exactly the best cuisine, but if you are careful with your choice, and send someone out for a salad from them, it can be a lifesaver. The dressings, and accompanying additions are packaged on the side. I especially love their mandarin chicken salad. Plus, if you need to replenish your calcium, one of their Frosty shakes is a wonderful indulgence, made with real milk, not hard on the tummy powdered milk like McD's or Burger King shakes.

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• By joyceg98
• Posted July 31, 2008 at 12:29 pm

My son tells me that his worst time is when the scans or tests take longer than you thought, and by the time you finish it's mid-afternoon and the lunchroom is closed.

Trial mix in the backpack would be great at a moment like that!

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