In this episode, Sarah and Stacy are answering not one, but two listener questions, tackling healthy travel, school lunches, and portable snacks. They’re sharing their tried and true tips for how to keep their families feeling good while traveling internationally, the paleo-friendly snacks they pack in their kids lunches, and you’ll learn if European bread really is safe!
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The Paleo View (TPV), Episode 342: Travel, School Lunches, and Portable Snacks
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(0:00) Intro
- Sarah is headed to the Nutritional Therapy Association annual conference where she will be a keynote speaker, so they’re recording this episode a little earlier than usual.
- This week we’re talking about something Sarah and Stacy have been doing a lot of recently: staying AIP while traveling.
- A big shout out to this week’s episode sponsor and Stacy’s favorite food, Chomps!
- Both Stacy and her boys love them! In fact, Stacy’s boys did a quick PSA for Chomps!
- Chomps is a 100% clean, on the go meat stick that has 9-10g of protein per stick and real food ingredients.
- Amazing news: Chomps is launching two AIP-friendly flavors in March: Italian Style Beef and Sea Salt Beef!
- Sarah was involved with the creation of these flavors so you can be sure they’re 100% AIP-approved.
- If you’re not ordering them by the case (like Stacy), you can pick them up at Trader Joe’s!
- Go to Chomps.com/PaleoView and use code THEPALEOVIEW for 20% off and free shipping!
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(8:36) Two listener questions
- Hannah says:“My family and I are planning our first international trip since the boys were born. We are planning a trip to Europe (Lisbon, Portugal specifically) and would love your advice on a paleo approach to international travel. What are your recommendations on sleep schedules, exercise, and eating (of course!) while traveling internationally. I have heard that grains in Europe (including wheat) are not modified in the same way they are in the U.S., and am wondering if we could break our paleo “template” to try some local specialties, without risking a health crisis. I love your show and faithfully listen every week while shuttling the boys to various commitments. I think I will be officially starstruck if my question makes it on your show.”
- Susan says:“Hi ladies! We’re pretty new to Paleo and I’ve found your podcast to be an awesome resource. I’m sorry if you’ve covered this topic before. My son is currently in a half-day preschool, so he eats lunch at home. But, he’ll be starting kindergarten in the fall. I know that there won’t be much he can eat at the school cafeteria so I’m wondering what to pack for his lunches and classroom snacks so that he doesn’t feel different from the other kids.”
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(10:33) Portable healthy foods
- For Stacy, it’s protein first. Protein is very satiating and it’s something that will sustain her and her kids in a healthy way.
- Portable protein like Chomps is something her family always carries.
- When traveling, Stacy plans on two meals a day: breakfast and either lunch or dinner.
- In addition to protein snacks, Stacy also packs convenient snacks like Larabars. She looks for snacks that are lightweight, non-bulky.
- She tries to stay in an Airbnb or somewhere that has a kitchen so they have to option to cook meals.
- Sarah agrees. She keeps Chomps in her purse or when traveling, in her suitcase, so she has a protein snack handy.
- Fruits and nuts, are easy to find when you’re out and about.
- Pre-packaged snacks are better for international travel.
- For school lunches, Sarah always starts with a protein and builds the lunch from there.
- For Stacy, it’s protein first. Protein is very satiating and it’s something that will sustain her and her kids in a healthy way.
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(20:58) Kid-friendly healthy school snacks and lunches
- If you have a kid who’s having a tough time transitioning and is worried about what other kids will think about their food, there are “real food” packaged foods you can use to transition them.
- Start by swapping out the packaged foods for healthy packaged foods then slowly start to swap out one healthy packaged food at a time for real foods.
- Stacy’s boys really enjoy Chomps, Larabars (not safe for nut-free classrooms), and fruit snacks.
- Read the ingredients, avoid added sugar.
- Sarah and her kids love Veggie Go’s fruit/veggie strips.
- You can find these healthy snacks at ShopAIP.com, OneStopPaleoShop.com, and BarefootProvisions.com
- Empower your kids by letting them choose the snacks they want! Give them a $20 budget, pull up one of those online shops, and let them choose the healthy snacks.
- Sarah focuses on protein snacks for her kids. They noticed that Larabars on their own was too much sugar so these days, she’ll pack a Chomps with sliced apple.
- Hard apples like Fuji apples or grapes, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries keep really well in a lunchbox.
- Communication is key! Communicate with your kids and be willing to troubleshoot and adapt.
- If you have a kid who’s having a tough time transitioning and is worried about what other kids will think about their food, there are “real food” packaged foods you can use to transition them.
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(31:25) Scheduling wellness into your travel
- Stacy has a big cruise coming up, but she’s been strategic about it. She tries to do direct flights (versus layovers) to avoid extra security checkpoints and added stress.
- Unfortunately, it is a red eye, but she’s bringing melatonin to help everyone sleep.
- When flying internationally, meals are often included and these days you can choose allergen-friendly meals. If you don’t have the option to choose, call the airline after booking to ask for a gluten-free meal.
- Sarah says bring entertainment (books, colored pencils, devices, etc) and anything that will help you or your kids sleep.
- Do your best to anticipate problems and plan for it. This doesn’t always work so just do your best!
- Stacy has a big cruise coming up, but she’s been strategic about it. She tries to do direct flights (versus layovers) to avoid extra security checkpoints and added stress.
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(43:34) Eating wheat in Europe
- Some people do really well with European bread.
- Europeans use an older variety of grain that hasn’t been modified as much.
- It contains about the same amount of gluten, but the difference is in the trypsin amylase inhibitors. Our modern varieties of wheat have about 100x more than the heirloom varieties in Europe.
- Sourdough has been fermented longer which makes it a better option.
- This is a very individual choice. If you do get sick that’s going to put a damper on your trip.
- When traveling, your body is less stressed which means you’ll be digesting food better!
- Europeans are very accommodating of gluten-free diets.
- Stock up on allergen cards in every language so you can clearly articulate your needs.
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- Thanks again to our episode sponsor, Chomps! Stock up at Chomps.com/PaleoView and use code THEPALEOVIEW for 20% off and free shipping!
- Get your questions in! We want to hear from you! And there’s no end to questions we can answer and topics we can address!
- Engage on social media! That’s how we get feedback!
- Thank you for listening.
Resources
Travel Ideas: Paleo snacks and fun car games!
