Tomorrow is Day One - Trying to start simple

#1

Hello everyone,

First, thank you all for sharing so much on this forum. I’ve been reading and researching and planning. Tomorrow I’m jumping into the keto lifestyle. I’m not wading in, just taking the plunge.

I just turned 50. I’ve slowly put on 20lbs the past few years. That’s one appeal of keto. But I’m also interested in increased energy and mental acuity. I have a fabulous job that I love, but it is quite demanding. I need all the energy and brains I can get. Alzheimers and dementia scare me quite a bit, so I’m encouraged by what I read about decreased chances with a keto lifestyle.

My biggest challenge and concern now is how much I travel. I just returned from a trip across the pond. I jump back on a plane later this week. Travel is a constant for me. I’m not sure the best way to stay on my plan while traveling. Advice and tips are appreciated!

I’m going to start simple to start. Planning my meals a day or two ahead of time. Focusing on whole foods. I have a wicked sweet tooth, so that could be interesting to kick. I bought a bunch of Smart Water, hoping that may help with keto flu.

Looking forward to this journey!

#2

Hi Kristen, I’m sure you will do fine. I watched the documentary ‘The Magic Pill’ on Netflix on March 25, 2018, and started Keto the next day. (I’ve never looked back) My wife wanted to try it, but wanted to talk with our doctor first, so I was doing it for 2 months before she started, along with our Son. … Please use the search function to search for any questions you might have. And if you don’t find any threads that provide the information you’re requesting, just create a topic and I’m sure you will find a lot of folks that are willing to provide what information you request.

#3

I watched that just yesterday on the plane. Inspiring!

(Kristen Ann) #4

Welcome Kristen!

I don’t have advice for you regarding staying on plan while traveling. I just wanted to comment that if Smart Water doesn’t contain sodium, it won’t do much to prevent keto flu. Increasing sodium is key to preventing keto flu. You can look up “keto aid” or “sodium requirements” in the search bar for recommendations. I keep a salt container in my truck and office so I have access to it at all times! Good luck!

#5

You can even find a lot of folks on here that have to deal with the same things, as you mention about traveling. @Janie would probably be the Queen of this, :smile: since she travels more then anyone I’ve met on here. :slight_smile: And she’s also one of the most helpful folks on here. … Also read up on watching your electrolytes. This is most important, and will help you with a lot of issues people new to Keto find when they first start out. … Again welcome, and I think you will find this the best forum for this WOE/WOL. (Way of Eating - Way of Life.) :slight_smile:

And if you ever want to call attention to someone, simply use the @ symbol, with that person’s name that will pop up in a list above it. (As I did with Jane above) … Hope this is helpful.

(Laurie) #6

Welcome, @KristenK!

You can take cheese, meat, nuts, and vegetables on planes, but might not be allowed to bring them into the other country (especially if they aren’t in a factory sealed package), so you might want to bring just enough for the flight itself. Check your airline’s regulations and the transport authorities’ and customs regulations.

You might also want to take some supplements or electrolytes. Again, familiarize yourself with the restrictions and so on.

While on the ground, of course it depends on what country you’re in and where you’ll be staying, where you’ll be eating, and whether you’ll have cooking facilities or refrigeration. You might be able to get eggs for breakfast most places. Lunch and dinner might be trickier, but as you learn the basic principles of keto you’ll know what to order. Go to a store and stock up on cheese, canned fish, etc., just in case the restaurant meals or provided meals can’t be adapted to keto needs.

As @Digital_Dave points out, other people have had similar concerns. You might be able to find some useful information if you search the site for terms like travel, plane, or the name of the country you’ll be visiting.

(Hyperbole- best thing in the universe!) #7

Fast food isn’t ideal, but is surprisingly easy to ketofy if you need to while traveling. No buns, no ketchup and you’re usually good.

Hardboiled eggs are another great keto food that travels well. Be careful with jerky. It seems like a perfect keto travel food, but check the labels because many brands have a surprising amount of sugar. Sometimes the carbs are higher than the protein they have so much. Nuts are also a good option, but many of us have trouble with portion control, so use your judgement there.

#8

Hi and Welcome Kristen,

According to one doctor, the majority of people don’t get keto flu, I didn’t get it or only very mildly. Some peopel almost can’t believe they are in ketosis unless they get a heavy dose of “keto flu”, it’s not required. Just keep the water and sodium up daily.

As for meals you can make very elaborate keto dishes or you can keep it super quick and easy. I just have:-

Meat and veggies with butter or salad with olive oil.

If my wife doesn’t make anything keto friendly, I’ll just make myself bacon (or a steak) and eggs Voila.

Lunch: Canned sardines, salmon, mackeral, kippers or roast chicken … and avocado and cheese.

Maybe throw in dill pickles or a small amount of roast red peppers or something.

As for the sweet tooth. Make sure you stay under 20g carbs and really ensure you’re in ketosis, then you’ll burn your own body fat and your appetite will drop. Your taste will also change. Once your body experiences satiety, that feeling of “hey that’s what I was looking for” and “I have had enough” - you will most probably lose interest in sweets. I was a pizza freak, I have forgotten about them.

#9

Hello Kristen,
I’m around the same age as you and I work as full time long haul cabin crew for a UK airline.

I have been very strict keto for about 6 weeks, prior to this I had been trying to get into a keto groove but making mistakes and finding my discipline has taken time.

I think the number one success factor for me is planning. I take a high fat salad with me on my outbound flights so there shouldn’t be any need for me to eat aircraft food. If I didn’t have this I will pick out the protein and low carb veggies from the passenger meals if I need to.
Once down route breakfast is usually the easiest meal to get in keto form.
A good omelette, sausage and bacon should see me through until dinner time, no juice, no sugar or sweeteners in coffee.

What I do for dinner will very much depend on where I am in the world and what I have access to. If I’m keeping it simple I just need to get meat or fish with low carb veggies and maybe extra butter!

I have experimented with snacks like nuts and jerky but don’t feel they help me. I try to eat well enough at a meal that I shouldn’t need to, I echo what has been said about jerky in that it can have a lot of sugar in it, this has caught me out before.

I do keep a couple of emergency backup items in my crew bag though. I have a protein and mct powder in a zip lock bag should I get really hungry and don’t have suitable options on the aircraft.

I also have some sachets of keto bone broth a bought from whole foods as a just in case.

If I am in the U.S and have access to Whole foods I will often buy a salad type of thing for my inbound flight.

Like you I have a very sweet tooth! I had some appalling behaviours around sugar and chocolate. I went cold turkey on everything even remotely sweet and I can say that my cravings were all but gone around 5 days.

At this point of 6 weeks in I can be around people eating chocolate and not even give it a thought.

Ok apologies for the long post, hope something here helps, please feel free to ask any other questions

M

(Marianne) #10

Good for you!!! I am still in the research phase but am thinking about jumping in in a day or two. Would like to stock the fridge with appropriate things, premake some foods I can heat and eat, and get rid of the others. Love, love, love this forum.

#11

This to me is a big plus, whenever it’s possible! … Takes out the guessing game of that same daily routine ‘What are we eating tonight’? … It just simplifies things. :slight_smile:

#12

Thank you everyone! I appreciate your advice!!

First day down…not too bad. Got a bit hungry mid day. Hot tea curbed it. Made a simple and yummy keto chili for dinner!!!

#13

@Mito Thanks for sharing! And…as a passenger on long haul flights, I really appreciate what you all do to keep us safe and comfortable…and I imagine you put up with some cranky pants.

#14

Cheering you on, Kristen! Keep reading and learning. Don’t be afraid to make changes or live differently. Meal planning worked for me. If you frequent the places you travel to (ie. same airports/same cities for work etc), research ahead in advance nooks and crannies where you can get your fat fixes. Keep things as fresh as possible where possible and as simple as possible (that was my mantra anyway). Eggs are really great. Some wonderful advice already here. Don’t lose heart. I feel the best form of encouragement for me was learning more (about health in general) and listening to my body.

(Marianne) #15

After I read your post, my husband and I watched The Magic Pill. It was fascinating and very motivational! Thanks for the tip.

#16

:+1: :slight_smile: … It is a nice little documentary indeed. - I watched it after reading the caption below the title, that simply said folks were correcting or changing their medical issues by changing their WOE/WOL. Had no idea it was basically about LCHF, Keto? :slight_smile: But glad I stumbled across it, and now recommend it to all. :slight_smile: