Managing T2D away from home

[Clifton]

Starting a week tomorrow, I'll be installed in a hotel, returning home at weekends for approximately one month.

For work, it'll be a stressful 4 weeks, involving late nights and early starts.

Is there anyone on the forum who is T2D, stays away from home in hotels on business which are likely to have a limited food offering who could offer advice or handy hints?

My profile will tell you what I do for a living 😉

 

[Josh DUK]

Starting a week tomorrow, I'll be installed in a hotel, returning home at weekends for approximately one month.

For work, it'll be a stressful 4 weeks, involving late nights and early starts.

Is there anyone on the forum who is T2D, stays away from home in hotels on business which are likely to have a limited food offering who could offer advice or handy hints?

My profile will tell you what I do for a living 😉

Hello @Clifton ,

It sounds so stressful traveling around and trying to eat around hotel meals. @everydayupsanddowns are there any online resources regarding managing food while on holiday or away from home?

 

[Inka]

Hi @Clifton I think it depends what kind of hotel you’re staying in. The budget ones tend to be carb-heavy, I’ve found. If you’re in a smarter hotel you might be ok.

I’d advise looking at the menu and facilities online to be prepared. I’d also advise looking at food shops nearby where you could pick up things like prepared salad and cooked meat or cheese. I like M&S Food for that as they have a nice selection of things, but any place should do.

I’m Type 1 not Type 2 but I always like to scout out places for lighter carb options and extra veg and fruit.

 

[Vonny]

HI @Clifton, I used to spend a lot of time in hotels but that was long before my diagnosis. To avoid putting weight on I used to have a hefty breakfast of bacon and eggs (no toast or hashbrowns) and in the evening would have steak and salad or similar. Some days, as @Inka suggests, I'd bring food in myself, especially if the menu was limited. If there is a carvery that would be great because you can ditch the spuds and yorkshires and heap up your plate with meat and veggies.

Sadly I did put weight on eventually, but that's nowt to do with hotels, I just started loving carbs about a decade ago and have learned my lesson the hard way!

 

[trophywench]

Your occupation guesses

Running bungee jumping sessions off suspension bridges, Painting the white lines on the roadways across them, Counting the traffic over them, Inspecting the structures of them for deterioration

Presumably you don't man the Toll Booth.

Personally I haven't the slightest idea of what is involved in the useful life of a suspension bridge!

Over to @everydayupsanddowns for the simple reason I know he lives in the Bristol area and for no other.

 

[Docb]

If you are going to the same place, then a short term let in an "apartment" hotel might work. That way you can eat what you want - assuming you can cook.

 

[Clifton]

Your occupation guesses

Running bungee jumping sessions off suspension bridges, Painting the white lines on the roadways across them, Counting the traffic over them, Inspecting the structures of them for deterioration

Presumably you don't man the Toll Booth.

Personally I haven't the slightest idea of what is involved in the useful life of a suspension bridge!

Over to @everydayupsanddowns for the simple reason I know he lives in the Bristol area and for no other.

I'm a QC I'm afraid! Mind you where I live has a view of the Suspension Bridge, so your alternative job ideas are much appreciated!

 

[Clifton]

If you are going to the same place, then a short term let in an "apartment" hotel might work. That way you can eat what you want - assuming you can cook.

It'll be a full service hotel such as a Hilton...a serviced apartment might work in future ...

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

If you are staying in Clifton @Clifton you’ll have plenty of cafe/deli/wholefood options, as well as smallish supermarkets, but I was thinking that you might be in a hotel away from the awl Cliffun areal?

Since you’ll be there for 4 weeks, depending on the type of hotel there is perhaps a chance of building a bit of a relationship with the staff, and maybe even the kitchen? They may even enjoy the challenge of adapting some of their offerings to suit your meal plan better?

I’ve only worked away for short stays, and have found sufficient supplies in whatever Tesco Metro / Sainsbury’s Local type place was available.

Will your stay involve catered evening food that has to be taken at the hotel?

 

[trophywench]

Well ideally placed to prosecute your dietary needs then ........

 

[Clifton]

If you are staying in Clifton @Clifton you’ll have plenty of cafe/deli/wholefood options, as well as smallish supermarkets, but I was thinking that you might be in a hotel away from the awl Cliffun areal?

Since you’ll be there for 4 weeks, depending on the type of hotel there is perhaps a chance of building a bit of a relationship with the staff, and maybe even the kitchen? They may even enjoy the challenge of adapting some of their offerings to suit your meal plan better?

I’ve only worked away for short stays, and have found sufficient supplies in whatever Tesco Metro / Sainsbury’s Local type place was available.

Will your stay involve catered evening food that has to be taken at the hotel?

Hi there. It's a Hilton near St Paul's Sunday to Friday with one night at home before training it back on GWR.
I've secured the room service menu so salmon and steak alternate nights it is. I could grab some M and S salad-y items too.

The other thing I've noticed is when stress increases at work by BG follows suit a day later...

 

[Clifton]

Well the week is finally here and I'm in the hotel up in London prepping for the week ahead.

All that concern about food has been solved by good old M&S: smoked salmon to start; Caesar salad and grilled chicken breast, raspberries plus Greek yoghurt to finish, and a half bottle of Sauvignon blanc. It was either that or £20 for sausage and mash! Tomorrow I'll splash out on steak from the menu here as it'll be a late finish.

Thanks to the advice here, I packed a plate, a small multi purpose tumbler a decent knife, fork, spoon and a small thermal flask! I also splashed out £2 each on sea salt and black pepper grinders.

Have a great Sunday everyone as I burn the midnight oil for tomorrow!

 

[Vonny]

Cor! What a feast Enjoy and try not to work too hard!