@BobW (Bob Weiman) posted a new topic, subject "Tech Conference food (rant)". It read:

   So I'm at a conference that claims “breakfast provided”. However, all they have are pastries, croissants, fruit, oatmeal, sugared fruit yogurt, etc. They did have black coffee, at least.
    
    I don't necessarily eat breakfast usually, but having no options is a little grating. And with swapping coasts, breakfast is actually almost my usual lunchtime.
    
    I know it is probably a cost containment measure, but it will be nice when carbohydrate intolerance is recognized and supported outside our niche.
    
    I plan to mention it in my feedback for the conference.
    
    Rant over.

After which, @keehan (A ham loving ham! - VA6KD) added

    I travel A LOT for work. These days most decent hotels have a mini fridge and microwave in the room at least and my usual go-to these days is stopping by a grocery store the evening of my arrival and grabbing some pre-cooked sausages or bacon, eggs, cheese and avocado. I also buy a pack of those Glad food containers or similar (usually only a few dollars) and a box of plastic cutlery if there's none provided in the room. The next morning I nuke all the ingredients together in the microwave. Usually it's bacon first (if it's not pre-cooked) for around 2-3 mins, but if it's pre-cooked, toss in a couple of eggs, some cheese and the meat together, stir it up a bit to mix up the eggs else they'll explode and make a mess, nuke for 2-3 more mins and add sliced avocado. Sometimes for a longer several day stay I'll also grab some salt/pepper, etc, butter, frozen veggies and just mess around with cooking various combinations for breakfast.

@BobW (Bob Weiman) replied

    I have emergency bacon with me just in case. I sometimes bring Parmesan Whisps as well because they don't require refrigeration but are filling and salty.
    
    Mini fridge in the room but no microwave. Although I will keep the egg trick in mind for future trips.

@Fiorella replied

    Flour, sugar, fruits are cheap. That's why. It's cheap crap, increasing their profit margin and increasing your waistline.

So @wildbohr (John Cotter) replied

    I've started bringing small containers of butter and coconut oil and a handheld mixer with me when traveling for work. BPC in the hotel room in the morning and keeps me going until pretty much supper.

@birddog27 (Jennifer) replied

    I take individual packets of coconut oil, coconut butter and beef jerky with me when I travel. Even taking some mini babybel cheeses with me. Then I hit the store like @keehan does and stock up when I get to town.

@roxanne (Roxanne) replied

    It is frustrating, but you have to learn to deal with it. I bring some coconut oil or fat bombs and nuts with me, and if I have access to a fridge or ice I'll bring hard boiled eggs, cheese or sausage (or hit a grocery store when you're there). Hit Starbucks for coffee and ask for heavy whipping cream for breakfast. Or fast through the day and make good choices when you go out for dinner. Once you get into the mindset that you will NOT eat their carb crap, it isn't so bad.

So @keehan (A ham loving ham! - VA6KD) replied

    100% agreed. I used to (before keto) be terrified of missing breakfast. Genuinely I used to become light headed, nauseous, break out in sweats, etc if I missed breakfast, but that was when breakfast was cereal, pancakes with syrup and coffee with milk and sugar. Since going keto, if I miss breaky it's no big deal. Or worst case, if I miss it, then it's a drop past a 7-11 or Starbucks for a minibabybel or coffee with HWC.

To which @keehan (A ham loving ham! - VA6KD) replied

    Another travel hack I forgot to mention is that some food joints have packets of mayo with their condiments. Wendy's in Canada and Swiss Chalet are two off the top of my head. Put a handful of those in your carry bag for a quick energy burst if needed.

To which @BobW (Bob Weiman) replied

    It was as much just venting as anything but I'm bookmarking this thread due to all the good suggestions that I hadn't considered like Babybel cheese, etc. This is part of what I love about this community!
    
    I usually am fine with an HWC coffee for breakfast (and it even lasts through lunch some days) but I went ZC for Lent so I gave up HWC as part of that. Just a mismatch of timing, travel, and self-imposed restrictions made me very aware and frustrated. Especially given the amount of Insulin Resistance that appears to be present in the tech community.

Then @Brook said

    A few months ago someone on a different forum posted a photo of the same sort of breakfast spread - but they were at an obesity conference!

Then @Laurie (Laurie) said

    In addition to all of the great food suggestions, don't be shy about letting the conference organizers and the hotel know about your disappointment. Even better if you can convince a few other attendees to do the same. I get the whole cost issue, but you could suggest putting out hard boiled eggs isn't going to break the bank and would go a long way to keeping everyone happy and healthy.

@Fiorella replied

    I was at a training seminar once and managed to convince the hotel staff to get me some bacon and eggs, because it didn't want to eat anything off of the huge breakfast buffet they had laid out (all pastries, toast, fruit, marmelades, etc).
    
    When my colleagues saw me eating a plate of bacon and eggs, they started asking, “hey, can I get some too?!”…and a mini revolt started…no joke.
    
    What followed was the kitchen staff placing extra heating pans on the breakfast buffet, with scrambled eggs in one pan, and bacon and sausages in the other.
    
    I was so proud of myself for starting a mini revolution at a large training seminar, held at a well known large hotel in a large US city, with hundreds of people to be fed, and forcing the hotel catering and kitchen staff to add keto items to the breakfast buffet. It was awesome!!!
    
    Yeah…that's right. I'm badass…if I see bullshit…I call bullshit…and I make things happen!!!

So @BillJay replied

    Fiorella:
    
    > I was so proud of myself for starting a mini revolution at a large training seminar, held at a well known large hotel in a large US city, with hundreds of people to be fed, and forcing the hotel catering and kitchen staff to add keto items to the breakfast buffet. It was awesome!!!
    > 
    > Yeah…that's right. I'm badass…if I see bullshit…I call bullshit…and I make things happen!!!
    
    It's entirely up to an admin, but I nominate @Fiorella for the “Keto Beast” badge for this!
    
    @Brenda? @carolT? @devhammer? @larry? 
    
    https://www.ketogenicforums.com/badges/110/keto-beast

After which, @devhammer (G. Andrew Duthie) added

    BillJay:
    
    > It's entirely up to an admin, but I nominate @Fiorella for the “Keto Beast” badge for this!
    
    Seems right to me…done!

To which @MKChitown (Michelle) replied

    @Fiorella has my vote for Keto Beast!
    
    If anyone is interested in portable keto friendly bars, Dr. Westman makes some good ones: https://www.adaptyourlife.com/adapt-bars/
    
    He's coming out with a cinnamon one next month I believe.
    
    mk

So @Fiorella replied

    Thanks, BillJay!
    
    Now I have an overwhelming desired to whirl around, knocking over anything delicate and fragile…
    
    image.jpg480×622 42.5 KB

So @BobW (Bob Weiman) replied

    Awesome! And well deserved!

To which @janknitz (jketoscribe) replied

    When I go to conferences I take my own instant breakfast “cereal” that's a kind of “notmeal” made with coconut flakes, flax, hemp, chia and nuts with lots of cinnamon in a 1/2 pint jar. I just need to add hot water (and even better if there is any real butter to add in).
    
    If I'm not hungry, I just skip it, but I had a scary, scary low blood sugar at one of those conferences I attend every year. I think the stress of traveling and possibly too much starch I ate the night before contributed to it, as I almost never get low BG's any more. I was nauseous that day and didn't plan to eat breakfast, but when I started to feel so bad I was wondering if I needed to go to the ER I thought to take my BG, which was 50 (not super low for people in ketosis, but I felt like I was dying that time). Luckily I had my instant breakfast with me, and as soon as I ate I was fine. DUH!
    
    I also take a thermal commuter cup because I hate those weenie cups for coffee most hotel conference centers have–by the time you get to your seat the coffee's cold. And I carry an 11 oz steripak of So Delicious Culinary Coconut milk, it's shelf stable for a day or two after opening, so I have “cream” for my coffee. I always have a bag of nuts for snack emergencies, and if it's within driving distance of home I bring along a packed lunch in case I can't eat anything served or readily available for lunch.
    
    Although, I have noticed lately that even cheapo “continental breakfast buffets” often have hard boiled eggs available. I can't eat anything else, but it's nice to have an egg or two.

After which, @BillJay added

    MKChitown:
    
    > If anyone is interested in portable keto friendly bars, Dr. Westman makes some good ones: https://www.adaptyourlife.com/adapt-bars/
    
    Caution! 
    
    2 things about Dr. Westman's Adapt Your Life bars.
    
      1. They only ship for a limited time from South Africa because they tend to melt as shown from the text from an email below.
    
      2. They taste REALLY good to me and I find it hard to only eat 1 at a time!
    
    
    
    
    > 
    [code]
    >     ADAPT BAR 'STOP SHIP' ALERT
    >     
    [/code]
    
    > 
    [code]
    >     BAR orders will be 'on pause' during the summer months of MAY through OCTOBER
    >     We don't want all those good fats melting and separating on you in the sweltering heat.
    >     The “pause” applies to Adapt BARS ONLY
    [/code]

To which @netposer (netposer) replied

    Like others have said, all that carbage is cheap and doesn't require a lot of prep or equipment. I have to go to a conference my firm hosts and I don't eat anything they put out for breakfast and for lunch I will just take apart the sandwiches.
    
    It's funny to see the carby breakfast that everyone eats then a couple hours later they are back finishing off what's left. Then an hour after that it's lunch, then 2 hours after lunch there is a “snack break” with cookies, cupcakes, brownies etc. So so sad.
    
    Last year I did a 24 hour fast that day so I worked the conference without eating anything. Made it easier. And I do a ton of running around making sure all the technology is working throughout the meeting spaces.

So @Kirkor replied

    I used to work for a place that hosted catered training seminars, and it was a real struggle to get the bosses to spring for food that was more than your standard carb-laden stuff. The cost difference is dramatic!

@Jacquie (Jacquie) replied

    I'm retired now but was low carb when I attended conferences many years ago. I worked in the health care/medical field and attended many conferences, as a presenter and attendee, mainly sponsored by drug companies. Any and all types of foods were provided and paid for by them. No problem at all finding lc friendly whole foods. Eye opening to say the least. Enough said.

@ron-coleman (I am a Dog (Dog's eat until they burst!)) replied

    For the last 6 months I have resolved to fast for each of my business trips and have found it really easy! Some people look at me a bit strange at dinner but I tell them that I am fine with my coffee, thank you.
    
    I do a lot of presentations and will often talk during lunch so it is easy to skip that meal without anyone really noticing.
    
    The really neat thing about fasting and walking through an airport is that you don't have to look for keto friendly things to eat.


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