It's been a busy summer and blogging seems to have taken 2nd place to grandkids, lots of days by the pool and most recently – a weekend road trip to the mountains.  

This past weekend we made a trip up to Boone and Blowing Rock, NC.

Summer vacations are meant to be fun and relaxing, our trip was both. We stayed in a small mountain house with the sound of a rustling creek within hearing distance of our porch overlook. Cool weather and dark starry night. (I don't like lights when I'm trying to sleep). Surrounded by family, we had a great get-away.

For bariatric patients however, vacation meals on the go can be a little stressful. But with a little know how, these challenges don't have to be a deal-breaker.

On the way up, Richard and I stopped for lunch at Captain D's. Not knowing what to expect from their menu selections, seafood seemed a good choice in lieu of burgers.

I ordered the fish, shrimp and lobster bites, (thinking I could find enough "real food" under all that topping) and 2 sides of green beans. When we got our order it was just as expected, not too bad as fast food goes, but it was heavily breaded. I knew I would have to make adjustments. Although I didn't eat all the green beans, it was the only option rather than more breading or carbohydrates.)

I "fished out" the shrimp and fish, removing the outside crust. The few lobster bites were just that–mini bite sized pieces, not much lobster – I ate 2. I tasted one hush puppy and ate about half the green beans. We hit the road with a cup of ice and a cup of water in-hand. This, my bariatric friends, is how to rescue a meal on go!  

Dinner that night was family style - I had plenty of bariatric-friendly options to choose from, including veggies.

Breakfasts included boiled eggs in our little kitchen, and we packed a cooler for the day (deli meat, cheese, summer tomatoes, peanut butter and fruit - apples, watermelon and grapes) and headed out for a mountain top picnic. Then for a day of tubing on the river. After 3 hours on the water, we were exhausted, cold and wet, so we opted for take-out pizza on the way home. That's okay, our order included a meat-lovers, so I was fine.

The next day we grabbed a few more boiled eggs, fruit, (and the kids favorite mini pancakes with peanut butter, (which they named peanut butter tacos) and headed out to Tweetsie Railroad. Lunch was pork bar-b-que for a lot of climbing up and down hills and a train ride of course. Too tired to cook in our tiny little kitchen, with 5 adults and 4 hungry grandkids, we opted for burgers out. I ordered a cheeseburger in a lettuce wrap. I ate a few of my husband's fries and tasted a little of his chocolate milkshake. 

Even if your vacation means a few exits from the norm— just make the best choices you can in every situation and get back on the road at the next opportunity. 

In all, Richard and I were on the road for 5 days and I never stressed about mealtime or eating too far off the bariatric path. Our first stop back home included a stop at the grocery store, to refill our refrigerator and get back to our routine. With an active weekend and meals on the road, my visit to the scale this morning showed a weight loss of a few pounds, which was a nice finish to a great vacation.  

Have a great summer — stay cool and don't fret about vacation meals. Even if that means a few exits from the norm— just make the best choices you can in every situation and get back on the road at the next opportunity. 

Yes, we can. We have many more miles to go!