[Second_Chance]

I'm going to a leadership conference (from the 2nd-11th of July) and am concerned as to my nutrition when staying there.

I am almost vegan (I still eat small amounts of cheese I'm trying to stop it completely). I only had the option to check off Vegetarian under the meal selection form.... but, I'm afraid that there isn't going to be anything that I can eat.....

What would you suggest bringing? (We're staying in dorm rooms so, it's gotta be small).

I am willing to cook food (that won't spoil) before hand but, I don't have access to anything to heat food up when I'm finally there. (and no fridge.)

What would you suggest?

 

[zoebird]

well, if you don't have anything that allows you to heat up food, i would do my best to have lots of produces (fruits and veggies), sprouts, nuts, and seeds around. Also, breads, nut butters, and jellies.

Also, if you call the conference organizers, ask them if you can talk to the food prep people. they may be able to get what you need.

good luck!

 

[spa_girl]

Will you have access to a fridge of some kind?

 

[pickletatertot]

If you have a fridge, I'd recommend taking some hummus and/or a pasta salad.

 

[GhostUser]

fruits, vegetables, granola, bread, (any)nut butter, veg*n food bars, maybe the soymilk in those containers that don't need refrigeration.

 

[Kamila]

Cereals and single serving soymilks.

Nuts

Home made tea breads such as banana or lemon.

Whole grain breads.

If there is hot water then there are all kinds of hiking foods that only require hot water to rehydrate, a bit more variety then cuppa noodle soups but not anything you would want to live on a long time.

Assume that you will get some veg food since you chose that option then boost your grain and protein content. My experience with instutional vegetarian is that it is mostly white rice or pasta and steamed or fried vegetables. Eat loads of oatmeal (also a hot water item) in the AM. There is always Luna bars and their ilk.

You look like a cowboy (my assumption that you are American), so I am wondering why this would be scheduled over a major holiday?

 

[Second_Chance]

Kamila- I though that picture was cute... I'm no cowboy lol... (I'm female)... and I ride horses lol.

I would assume that I won't have access to fridge. I might be able to have a container w/ some ice.. but I'm not sure.

The only choice was to go during this holiday in Boston or during August in Chicago.... I chose Boston because it's cheaper (I'm already having to fly at the end of this month) and it's closer to where I'm from. If they had another choice, I would have chosen it.

I have things like Wheat thins, granola, corn bread, crackers w/ peanut butter, cliff bars/ odwalla bars/luna bars (which I might be living on during this... I might just purchase a case instead of purchasing them individually)...

Any other suggestions?

 

[pickletatertot]

I went to a conference earlier this year and this is what I did. I found a small grocery store close by and bought some fresh fruit, a box of cereal, some crackers, and some drinks. I turned my bathroom sink into a cooler by filling it up with ice and kept the food in there. With that food and the food I could eat at the conference, I got through okay. Hopefully they will have things like bagels and fruit for breakfast and then some kind of pasta or rice with veggies for lunch/dinner.

I ate more junk that week than I normally do, but I got by okay.

 

[vegankittykat]

Quote:

Originally posted by Second_Chance



I would assume that I won't have access to fridge. I might be able to have a container w/ some ice.. but I'm not sure.

The only choice was to go during this holiday in Boston or during August in Chicago.... I chose Boston because it's cheaper (I'm already having to fly at the end of this month) and it's closer to where I'm from.

When I go to Vegas, I bring a small soft cooler and put ice cubes in ziploc bags (to prevent leaking) in it....it's a pain though because I have to replace the cubes a couple of times a day because they melt so quickly. Since the cooler is so small I can only put a few things in it, so I stick to vegan margarine (for rice, baked potatoes, etc.), Tofutti cream cheese for bagels, and Nasoya salad dressing (I hate oil & vinegar which is often the only vegan option). Hopefully there's an ice machine in the dorm. Maybe you can go to a vegetarian restaurant some nights? I would think Boston might have a good number to choose from.

 

[stellar26]

I'm having the same dilemma. I have college orientation in 2 weeks and I have to spend the night in the dorms. All of our meals are provided- but I didn't get to check off a vegan or even a vegetarian option. All I can do is hope that they have something for me. If not, I'm forced to bring all of my own food and eat when I'm in the dorm.

 

[tearhsong2]

There's a bunch of vegetarian restaurants in Boston and the supermarkets around here all have health food sections, so you should be ok.

For veg. restaurants, there's Buddha's Delight in Chinatown, Country Life on High St, Grasshopper in the Allston/Brighton area, and Veggie Planet in Harvard Square. Also on certain days you can get veg food from the Hare Krishna temple and the Buddhist Cultural Center.

Here's a link with information for more restaurants:

http://www.bostonveg.org/restaurants/

 

[Second_Chance]

Thanks for the links, I'm going to be in Waltham which is like 15 min. outside of Boston.... so, I'll look it up.

 

[annabanana]

I was just in that situation this past weekend, except I was on a weekend trip with a friend. We were at their lakehouse and basically all they eat around there is fast food, ice cream bars, and cookies...exactly what I won't eat! So I actually brought a whole bag of food for the few days I was there, and here are some ideas:

English muffin

sandwich baggie of oatmeal, one serving's worth

two slices of bread (To put peanut butter in between)

animal crackers

apples

bananas

carton of soymilk

baggies of dry cereal

make rice at home and keep it in a tupperware type container - you can even eat it cold if needed

raw carrots

tortillas, to put salsa or "whatever" in (if you have a fridge)

 

[zoebird]

it's a better idea to take some snack foods and some healthy foods with you--or pick them up when you get there. For instance, fruit is easy to store for a few days, and most veggies will stay nice for a couple of days (like carrots and celery). bread is a no-brainer. Buy a nice loaf get some nut-butter and jelly (all fruit jellies are good). Also, hummus and pitas will keep for a few days too. So, you have lots of options.

that way, you have good healthy food around that is also satisfying.

ALSO, please, please please please please--whether you're going to a conference at a hotel or a college do=hickey--please please please please please call the organizers, explain your diet, and ask what the options are for you so that you can prepare yourself.

For example, at my university (penn state), they had lots of vegetarian and vegan options while i was there (veggie burgers and veggie dogs available every day, tofu every day, lots of vegetarian bean dishes, plus a whole fresh salad bar every day). Even though i wasn't a vegetarian in college, it was easy enough to be one! I ate a lot of veggie meals in college. I also had food in my dorm, because we had a minifridge and microwave that we could use.

But, organizers can often give you this information, or at least help you meet your needs!

 

[pickletatertot]

The other thing is, by talking to them, you may be paving the way for a veg*n in the future. I work at a small college and I am constantly reminding my co-workers that we need to be sensitive of people's special dietary needs (we've had students who had food allergies, dietary needs related to culture/religion, as well as vegetarians.) We're in the south so they love to put on a pig roast here! Gag! I am constantly asking what alternatives will be provided for those of us who don't eat pork. I'm sure they get sick of hearing it but I keep asking!

 

[tearhsong2]

Definitely let the organizers know that you're a veg*n and find out what kind of food will be offered so you know if you have to bring food with you and/or pick it up when you get into town.

Colleges these days almost always have a big salad bar, so that should be good for a few meals at least. Most offer veggie burgers somewhere on the cafeteria menu, too. Snacks are a definite must. Whatever you can't fit in your bags, you can easily pick up when you get in town. It's very easy to be a veg here. Though, as a warning, the "vegetarians eat fish" myth is very prevalent around here, since so many people here are Catholic and have the "no meat Fridays but fish is ok mentality."

I only suggested the restaurants as an idea, because you could be on your own for a few meals and a good veg restaurant might be needed.

I've learned my lesson, especially at non-veg Asian restaurants around here, that even though you request the food without certain ingredients made from animals, you still get what you didn't want in your food.