I’ve just arrived home from a VERY inspiring conference for the past few days. It’s been a while since I’ve flown interstate and had the challenge of eating well while away from home. As many of you are no doubt aware, paleo eating away from home and in social situations is tough to navigate. Unfortunately it’s always going to be this way so it’s up to us to make healthy choices.
So here’s how I managed to eat as close to paleo as possible while away at a conference.
When I arrived I bought a BBQ/rotisserie chicken and some salad leaves and lemon. I went back to the hotel and stripped the chicken into a container and packed my own lunches for the conference.
Typical Conference Food
I knew the conference was providing food but the reason I packed my own was that I knew the types of food I was bound to see there. Conferences typically provide sandwiches, and yes they were there. Along with a whole lot of other gluten filled foods like sausage rolls, pastries, pies and the lot! There is no way I was going near that lot. And then throw in the gluten filled biscuits and cakes for morning and afternoon tea!
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No thanks!
What I Ate
I had a beautiful chicken salad instead and my body thanked me for it!

I also had my stash of mixed nuts, a few bags already made up in snap lock bags that I brought from home. These saved me during the day when I needed a nibble. And fruit was a great grabbable snack over the few days as well.
I had some fruit and nuts for breakfast on the first day and on the second day at the hotel I had chicken and an apple for breakfast…keep it simple!
But I did attend a couple of social events in the evenings and this is when I do make allowances. I went out for a beautiful Asian meal one night and ateĀ some chicken satay skewers with rice. And on the second evening there was a cocktail party and the food was amazing so I indulged in some pork spring rolls and some slow cooked lamb with brown rice and a seed combo. I avoided the pastries because I knew they were just bloating material.
I don’t think you have to be overly restrictive when you’re out socially because you’d miss out on way too much. But it’s about choosing carefully most of the time so that you still feel good.
On The Way Home
I was starving when I got to the airport and there was not a great selection, that’s for sure!
There was one bakery coffee shop with a huge display of sandwiches and gluten filled wraps and snack, along with cakes and sweets in all shapes and forms.
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I was almost going to turn around and walk the other way but I thought I’ll just take one closer look and to my surprise I found a spinach and goats cheese frittata! Thank goodness I didn’t have to starve

That was the only thing there I’d choose to eat and it was actually pretty good.
Eating Away
Paleo eating away from home is definitely a challenge but if you get creative there are ways you can stick fairly closely to the plan. One thing that was great is that I really had no desire to eat ‘those’ foods. I know now how they make me feel and I choose to feel great, so I avoid them. It’s great when you finally get to that place in yourself, it takes time but it does happen.
But seriously, I think I’ll work on a guide on paleo eating away from home, what do you think?
Talk soon
Jedha
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It was nice to meet you Jedha. Even for a non Paleo like me, I found some of the food a bit on the processed side. I don’t usually eat much bread at all, so it was half a sandwich for me, anything with extra protein and extra fruit.
I ate out for every meal and typically do salmon, eggs, avo and tomato for breakfast, salad and protein for lunch and Koko Black for arvo tea
Cheers
liz N
Was great to meet you too Liz. Eating out is always about choosing the best we can isn’t it
Jedha, I am a 63-year-old woman in Texas who is only three weeks into Paleo eating. I have multiple health issues which add a few more twists to my food choices, but I am doing very well so far. I can have meat, vegetables, fruits and nuts. I can not have dairy, grains, legumes or lettuce. I spent a good deal of money stocking up good foods because I like variety, and I have to get bananas and almond milk every few days, but I’m not bored yet. Cooking ahead and preparing fresh foods so that I am not tempted by my husband’s high grain diet has been a challenge, but the weight loss so far is really encouraging. I would like to share my menus and maybe photos of some meals, but I really don’t know the process of setting up a blog. I love reading what other Paleo eaters are doing, especially about eating out and trying new foods. Please post more yourself. Your have a readable, interesting style and you live in an area apparently different from Mesquite, Texas.