Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Ok, so I'm headed overseas for two months, the United Arab Emirates and northern Oman to be specific. I work for an adventure company and will have little control over what food I have access to 5 days a week. Most meals have veggies and meat and I can skip the bread. One problem I'm anticipating is having access to fast snacks when I need them. There will be mornings when breakfast will be all wheat-based carbs and I will definitely need my own food. I'll be able to cook some on my days off so I can make paleo bars and similar items if I need to.

I'm also concerned about spending around 24 + hours in airports and planes getting there and want to bring food with me on the plane. Am I allowed to bring food onto the plane in my carry on? I brought some last time but I heard there was some change recently. Is it a bad idea to put sealed food in my checked luggage?

Here are some ideas I've had but I was hoping you guys would have a few more.

smoked alaskan salmon (any luck finding some that doesn't need refrigeration?)
pre-packaged beef and buffalo jerky
dehydrated strawberries
fruit leather
paleo bars

I live near a whole foods and trader joes, if that makes a difference.

p.s. I'm trying to keep my carb count low to loose weight

flag	asked Jan 22 2011 at 3:26 WayfinderAli 2,581●7●18

Macadamia nuts are tasty and low in o6 too – mari Jan 22 2011 at 14:26

Sounds like a neat job! – Ambimorph Jan 22 2011 at 15:27

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Just a social precaution: opening fish on a crowded airplane is likely to NEVER be appreciated by your fellow passengers - even if the whole plane were paleo-style eaters! :) There is just no ventilation to buffer the impact of a fishy smell, which could make some folks pretty nauseous when combined with air travel. Jerky might also have the potential to do this as well, so don't munch on it throughout a packed 14 hour flight. Airport lounge for jerkies and canned fish? Probably OK as long as ventilated well. – familygrokumentarian Jan 22 2011 at 17:29

Interestingly, Dr. Atkins once said he would not get on a plane without macadamia nuts in his bag. – David Leitner Jan 22 2011 at 21:37

Resurgent · Accepted Answer · 2011-01-22 04:38:26Z UTC

1) Yes, you can carry food, not drink, in you carry on baggage - some airlines may weigh your carry on as well - generally they will allow 7Kg to 10Kg depending upon the airline - most do not weigh your carry on, as of now.

2) For your check in baggage - stick to canned or completely sealed or dry foods like nuts etc. You can carry well packed liquids in checked bags but any spills will mess up big time, so pack diligently. Nothing prohibits you from checking in all the food you want, just remember that you are traveling to a foreign country, and it would be wise check their customs website to ensure they wont throw your food away at the airport.

3) Canned Salmon is generally ready to eat and will stay without refrigeration. So will dried strawberries and most bars can be kept without refrigeration for up to a month. Make your own custom bars at www.youbars.com to get the nutrient profile you desire.

4) All international airlines offer 'Gluten free meals' in flight. Opt for one before you board (tell them some days in advance) You will get a meal to keep you full guilt free but dont expect much in terms of taste.

5) As for breakfast in Oman - Locals do not eat 'cereals' - in fact they may have to make an effort to get you some as they think all Americans eat that for breakfast. It will be easy to get eggs, some meat (No bacon - Islam bans pigs) and local veggies, try them you may find some surprisingly good stuff

6) All the best - And dont forget to have fun fretting too much about food.

sherpamelissa · Answer 2 · 2011-01-22 14:20:29Z UTC

My suggestions are not exactly PERFECT PALEO, please do not report me to the Paleo Orthodox Committee.

I would want foods that I was comfortable with for those times when I couldn't get what I wanted. I would also want easily packable food for a day trip.

I would get a bunch of the Justin's Nut Butter packets of almond butter. They are cute and portable and when I need some extra fat, almond butter is a favorite.

Trader Joes' Fiberful bars. They are 60 cents each and 60 calories and 6 grams of fiber. They are 100% fruit bars and pretty tasty. They are like extra thick fruit roll ups. They travel REALLY well in any temperature. The carbs are about 15 or 20 though, so I don't eat them often. They are tucked in my purse as emergency food.

The individual packets of Raw Trail Mix at Trader Joes. I personally have issues with serving sizes of nuts, so I would like Trader Joes to measure them for me. ;)

Organic Unsweetened Coconut Chips, to throw in my trail mix and to snack on occasionally. I don't love coconut, so I have no dangers of over-eating this one.

Dark Chocolate. The good stuff. 85% or higher. When everyone else is eating dessert, you will be glad to have the option. Trade Joes also has those little 1 calorie, dark chocolate covered cacao nibs, they are awesome.

I would totally buy the dark chocolate covered espresso beans and bring them.

I am no help on the packaged meat items. I have sodium issues so I generally stay away from it. I have tried Tanka bars and I thought they were AWFUL, but some people like them.

I AM TOTALLY JEALOUS OF YOUR JOB AND YOUR TRIPS. I THINK IT IS WONDERFUL THAT YOU ARE OUT THERE EXPERIENCING SO MUCH!! :)

James · Answer 3 · 2011-01-22 04:33:28Z UTC

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It really depends on your destination, you need to check with their customs laws. Usually sealed foods are ok, but meat products are not (even sealed). Customs will nail you. If you're an operator, I'd recommend doing your best to lose the weight now vs over there, and look into eating as paleo as you can there. I wouldn't try and bring much with me. Not wise to raise any attention in customs.

answered Jan 22 2011 at 4:33

James
7,882●4●13

	thanks for letting me know about the meat. I am pretty familiar with Dubai's customs laws except for food products. there was pretty much no info on in the internet about food. I'll make sure to only take enough meat to serve as snacks on the way there. I only have 6 days until I leave. I know I'll loose a lot there because I'll be enormously active, but I'm going to make a reasonable effort to be paleo while there. Thanks for the crucial info. – WayfinderAli Jan 22 2011 at 16:42
	Ah, I thought you had several months to go, sorry. A lot of countries are banning the meat because of concerns about mad cow disease (unless it's certified under X months old). I think in a lot of cases it's BS, just to protect internal beef sales and the like. – James Jan 22 2011 at 16:45
	I think in this case it is probably because its an Islamic country. I'm pretty sure all meat has to be slaughtered a certain way, so it makes sense that if they weren't sure they would throw it away. – WayfinderAli Jan 22 2011 at 18:26

Jessie · Answer 4 · 2012-04-27 00:58:26Z UTC

I suggest when you are on a plane you should ; probably take headphones A reading book ; and maybe a sudoku or A nice word search and a pen also take Ear plugs an mini blanket!if you take these Tips you will have an amazing time on Vacation etc.; have a great time!

cerement · Answer 5 · 2012-04-27 01:14:16Z UTC

Or there's the Paleo answer for everything: intermittent fast!

Not as strange as it first sounds, fasting looks to be the best way to beat jet lag and reset your body's clock ... just get plenty of plain water to beat dehydration ...

Fasting May Stave Off Jet Lag - Mark's Daily Apple
A "Fast" Solution to Jet Lag - Harvard Business Review

(and if you need another reason to fast, just take a look at your neighbor's plate of airplane "food", if that doesn't put you off eating ... )

Kitzu · Answer 6 · 2012-04-27 19:57:48Z UTC

Sounds like you've got the in the air part covered. I'm not sure about the UAE, but in Turkey there was amazing thick yogurt, feta cheese and olives at every breakfast. You could also try making friends with the cook and asking him or her to boil a dozen eggs at the beginning of the week and have them out at breakfast. Some meals will have rice, a "safe starch" to some. Markets in the UAE will have plentiful pistachios, almonds, apricots and other dried fruit. Sounds like an exciting adventure!

What can I bring with me on a plane?

6 Answers