Usually when I travel, I get pretty paranoid about breakfast more than any meal of the day. I do my best of bringing my breakfast staples and hope for the best when I get there.
Being gluten free, I feel, is most difficult at breakfast because breakfast is very carbohydrate based for most people. If I were to ever ask a host or a hotel for some gluten free oats, I’m pretty sure I would get laughed at.
Luckily for me, this week is fairly different. I came supplied with my oats… and that’s it! Gabriela supplied the rest. Have I mentioned she really rocks? It’s true! It is a rare treat for me to travel and have almond milk, natural peanut butter, and a photography station all at my finger tips.
This can go on the list of “you know you know you’re a food blogger when…”.
I even got my choice of many different placemats that Gabriela has collected for photography purposes. I went with the pink and green monkey placemat, as we have been monkeying around the city all week.
The best part about this was having a photography assistant. Gabriela kindly held up my light bounce for me as I took these pictures. A girl’s got to take advantage of situations like that!
Even better than getting to eat my oatmeal and having quite the photography station was not having someone look at me like I was crazy for wanting to make my oats the night before and sticking them in the fridge.
My secret of making my breakfasts last as long as humanly possible has come out as well. Savoring every bite and making my breakfast last for 20-25 minutes is weird I’ve learned – and I suppose it makes it even worse when my breakfast is totally gone at the end.
I may be relaxed now, but next week (foreshadow alert!!!) I may be a little bit paranoid about my breakfasts once again.
Question: Are you ever paranoid about food situations while traveling?
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes! I was so paranoid before our trip to Germany last year… and with good reason- there was not much I was excited to eat. But I grabbed snacks to shove in my purse whenever I came across some… oh… and I drank a lot of beer to keep me full, too
ahah im actually more paranoid when im not traveling!! since im not in my usual surroundings and all the usual stuff i just kinda go with it whereas when im at ahome since I know my routine I just stick with it!
I went on my first trip last weekend since I’ve been gluten-free. I packed so much food to take with me!!! The oats/flax meal/walnuts in a bag with a cup of blackberries was crucial to me making it through the weekend without crashing!
I remember the first time I traveled when going gluten free it absolutely terrified me!
oh my gosh, that is awesome. no wonder gabriela always has such awesome-looking meal photos!
I usually get pretty paranoid about lunch. I typically like something light like fruit in greek yogurt, and it’s carazy hard to find that on the road.
It depends on where I’m going but yes, sometimes! When I went to Jamaica last year I was very concerned about being able to eat well at the resort but luckily they were fairly accomodating. I always try to swing by a grocery store when I land (if possible).
Oh, Chelsey! Quit teasing us!!!!! Delicious food, friends, travel, and your doing it all over again (maybe?)…. Geesh! ENJOY!!!
I get a little nervous when having to eat out all the time- one of the ways I watch what I eat is how I prepare it and how much I prepare at a time. When portions are a about twice as big as what I’m used to, I get a little anxious/go crazy.
I get very paranoid about eating when traveling! Especially breakfast because hotel options are usually pastry based and the oatmeal is watery. I I usually try to load up on fruit and then get some oatmeal from Starbucks. On our last vacation, Whole Foods was right now the street-making eating well while traveling very easy!
I get paranoid about breakfast too – though I guess it’s not too bad since I don’t have food allergies/restrictions. I often pack a breakfast for the hubby and I on trips so we can splurge a little more on lunch/dinner.
I used to get nervous when I went on road trips, but after the last month of road tripping and moving and traveling almost every weekend, I know I can find stuff. The key is stopping at gracery stores and having a big tupperware for making your own salads!
Not really. I don’t have any food intolerances or allergies so eating out or on the road isn’t a big deal for me. When I am gone on long vacations where i am eating out every meal I start to kind of get antsy and miss my own kitchen though.
It was so nice to meet you last night!!!! I had so much fun. Important question: what is this “light bounce” you speak of?
The light bounce is when you use a white object (usually a sheet/posterboard/etc) behind you so when the light comes in through the window, it will bounce off the white object to create better lighting for your food! Gabriela was a lovely assistant.
I am so glad you posted this! You are so dead on. Breakfast is the WORST when traveling! I recently traveled and did the same thing… brought my own oats etc. Finding almond milk was a little more difficult. It is definitely stressful, especially while trying to be gluten free.
On another note — love the placement collection!
I typically don’t worry about my traveling food sitch because I don’t have any major restrictions (other than no meat, but most hosts and places can easily accommodate that). I do like to bring my own snack bars or other mini-meals just in case though, because I’d hate to impose and if a Faith-friendly meal just isn’t possible, it’s nice to have a fallback!
Aw Gabriela sounds like such an awesome hostess! I got news last night that one of my best friends is moving to Chicago next week. I’ve never been to the city and I want to go visit her! Perhaps we could do a blogger meet up as well
We sure could! Let me know when you’re coming up and I would be more than happy to meet up with you!
I have just become desensitized to the weird stares and looks I get from people when I whip out a camera to take a pic of my meal. LOL! Like at the hotel i was at this past weekend I snapped a pic of my breakfast every morning in the hotel breakfast area….and sure people kind of gave me a funny look but whatevs…..ya gotta do what ya gotta do lol! I will say though that I always bring some staples with me when I travel and try to stop at a local supermarket to get some other things if I know I am not gonna have access to a good breakfast or snacks!
Looks like you are having the perfect vacation! Breakfast definitely is the worst while traveling, if you don’t go to the store for any other food at least buy breakfast! And i’ve learned to always bring peanut butter.
This is awkward but I found out recently that Gabriella went to prom with my current boyfriend… small world…..
Oh I’m def. paranoid about food situations when travelling… especially breakfast because it’s my favorite meal of the day. I have to deal with allergies too, so eating while travelling is always kind of a pain in the butt and I need to pack a lot of my own foods to make sure that I’ll have something around that I can eat. But I can imagine that bunking with a blogger would make the whole food situation a lot less stressful
It is a lot less stressful – and I never have to ask twice if we can take an eating stop!
I am totally the same about eating breakfast long! I just love breakfast and like to savor my first meal of the day and relax before chaos hits! Everyone gets so frustrated with me because they are all rush rush when it comes to breakfast. Maybe it’s the European in me, but i’m so happy to hear you are the same way! And I totally have a photography station that my bf makes me put away all the time (so i dont get to use it if i’m in a rush), so I love that hers is just set up waiting to be used!
I’m not very paranoid while I’m on vacation. But once I get home, I bust my butt to make up for all the slacking I did while I was gone. I don’t have restrictions like gluten free…so I can be pretty carefree with new foods and snacks and indulgences. But then it’s back to regular scheduled programming when I get home
GF at breakfast is difficult!! That photography station is too cute!
Yes! It’s always hard traveling with someone else’s family. Last year I went on vacation with my boyfriend’s family for the first time. Although they’re very accommodating, I felt bad asking them to drive me to the store to buy “special” food. I have a sensitive stomach, and ended up eating too much sugar/not enough fruit during my vacation, which didn’t make me feel very good. Next time I know to bring more staples, because the food that I brought with me only lasted a few days. Plus, I drinks toonnns of water. Not everyone does. From now on, I will bring cases of water with me when I travel with other people
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drink*
I can totally relate!! The bf and I love breakfast, but I get super anxious when he suggests we go out because finding a tasty vegan option is always difficult. Otherwise, eating with him isn’t so bad but anyone else I feel like sees me as a pain in the rear.
And I am the QUEEN of breakfast savoring. I always make it, photograph it, wash up the dishes (usually), then settle in to eat sloooooowly and catch up on blog posts. It’s my “me time”! Plus, I just love breakfast. And food in general.
I can totally relate to this. I always take my own breakfast foods with me whenever I go away from home. Your oats look so think and fluffy! Yum
Oops! I meant thick lol.
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I don’t get paranoid necessarily but I do plan them out with a lot of vigilance.
You got cute placemats AND a photography assistant?! Sign me up for this trip
I don’t think you are paranoid! Breakfast is important, and you have to know that you have options available. Plus, I’m sure it saves money big time!
Thank God for blogs – finding good eats while traveling has never been easier. It’s not too difficult finding vegetarian food while traveling, but I imagine it may be a little more difficult when you have dietary restrictions such as no dairy or gluten free.
love your blog, just found it on fitblogger. my boyfriend recently found out he’s gluten free a year ago so I’m definitely familiar with the complications of travelling or eating out.
Yes! I’m gluten intolerant and I was super paranoid about eating while traveling to the Boston Marathon. We had to eat out for most meals and we did OK finding gluten-free restaurants, but a few times I had to ask for a “special” meal. Some restaurants are great about that, and some are rude. I understand where you’re coming from.
Is that a lilly pulitzer placemat?! If so…I want one!
I as SUPER paranoid about eating breakfast at non-home places. Last time I was on vacation and had the WORST breakfast (eggs, yogurt, oats) and keep in mind I am gluten-free and basically vegan most days…this reaked havoc on my system for a good 3 days. Hives, the whole works…so I feel yah. I have started packing “ahead” for trips and it helps SO much!
Ohhh yes.. I am going to Korea in 3 weeks.. Should be interesting trying to explain what I can/can’t eat when they can’t even understand the language I’m speaking
Hahaha travelling with or visiting a blogger sounds like the ideal vacay! I don’t think I could find anyone else to put up with my crazy antics.
I sometimes get paranoid about my allergies… I would have to have a reaction while travelling! Also I get paranoid about when I get to eat breakfast – I like to eat soon after I wake up at 7 am, but my friends sleep in until 10 and there’s NO way I can wait that long to eat!
I completely agree that traveling with or to meet up bloggers who are also food conscious has to be ideal. I completely understand your food paranoia. I just blogged about my experience of road tripping it for 3-4 days and staying completely on track. Takes time, preparation, and willingness to get a little crazy and creative. Doesn’t mean a little food paranoia doesn’t accompany the trip though
Just means you care enough about what you put into your body. I say it’s a positive thing! Keep rockin’ Chelsey!
it’s insanely hard for me to find food while travelling! I always visit the South. I can’t have gluten, dairy, or soy, among other, less common things. Soy is the hardest thing to avoid. The last time I was in Arkansas was right after finding out about my allergies, and I was terribly sick the whole trip.
I do get paranoid about food when traveling. If I’m diving no worries since I pack things to eat. But, like when I volunteer out of state, I worry. I don’t do eggs, my baked goods are vegan or gluten free usually, I have a dairy allergy and only eat chicken (local) and fish. It can cause problems, but most of the time not really since more places are opening up to things like that.