Eating Smart on the Road: A Week of Restaurants & Real Choices

Let’s talk about the art of staying with friends for days—because we all know that traveling is an adventure, but maintaining your wellness routine amidst someone else’s household is a strategic mission. Whether it’s navigating their snack selection (thankfully they eat relatively the same as me, except for the teenager) or ensuring my GLP-1 protocol stays in check, I do not play when it comes to my non-negotiables.

If I had to choose between packing a second pair of shoes and bringing my staple products, guess what’s staying home? The shoes. My wellness toolkit travels everywhere with me, and here’s what’s always in the bag:

Electrolytes: Because hydration isn’t just about water, and I refuse to be at the mercy of whatever sugary sports drink might be lurking in their fridge.

Digestive Enzymes: Because travel gut struggles are real, and I’m not about to play roulette with bloating or sluggish digestion.

Echo Go Hydrogen Water Bottle: This is a game-changer for hydration, infusing water with molecular hydrogen to support antioxidant benefits and overall wellness. Whether you're traveling or just need an everyday hydration boost, this sleek, portable bottle ensures you're getting high-quality hydrogen-enriched water on the go. Perfect for keeping energy levels up and digestion running smoothly, it’s a must-have for anyone committed to optimizing their health.

Ora Sound Machine: I had the Ora Sound Machine playing while I slept, filling the room with soothing solfeggio frequencies and white noise. It made a huge difference in creating a calming atmosphere, helping me drift off effortlessly and stay in deep, restful sleep—especially when it isn't my bed!

Blue Blocking Glasses: Because late-night conversations and screen time are inevitable, and I refuse to let my sleep suffer from the blue light assault

Carnivore Crumbs from Carnivore Crisps: These are a lifesaver for protein-packed, on-the-go snacking. Made from real meat and seasoned for maximum flavor, they add crunch and sustenance without unnecessary fillers. Perfect for sprinkling over salads, eggs, or just eating straight from the bag when hunger strikes.

Super Chews from Power Fit Foods: These are a powerhouse in a bite-sized form—packed with protein and functional ingredients to fuel energy, recovery, and satiety. A must-have when travel schedules get hectic, and you need something that won’t throw off your macros or leave you reaching for less optimal choices.

I knew eating out would be a major part of this trip since my main mission was hanging out with my godson a/k/a “the teenager” while his dad was off on a business trip. Priorities, right? Between restaurant stops and keeping up with the whirlwind that is teenage energy, I wanted to make sure I had smart snacks and solid staples to keep me fueled and on track.

Having my go-to essentials meant I could enjoy meals out without scrambling for options that worked for me. Let’s be real—I was not about to survive on a cereal stash and freezer pizzas. So, I found the perfect balance of adapting to what was available and bringing my own reinforcements. Here’s how I made it work:

Day 1:

Breakfast: Before leaving home, I made sure to get in a solid breakfast within an hour of waking—because trust me, your blood sugar and cortisol levels will thank you. I kept it simple but nutrient-packed with eggs, bacon, and avocado, fueling up for the day ahead without messing with my body's natural rhythms.

Lunch: We stopped at Buc-ees. Stopping at Buc-ee’s for lunch? Oh, you mean a full-scale expedition into snack heaven. This isn’t your average gas station pit stop—Buc-ee’s is basically Disneyland for road trips, minus the roller coasters but with the smell of fresh brisket in the air. Between the Beaver Nuggets, BBQ sandwiches, and an entire jerky WALL, you could lose yourself in options for hours. And trust me—this is not a “run in and grab” situation. No, no. You shop, you explore, you experience Buc-ee’s. After weaving through aisles of Texas-sized snacks and resisting impulse buys, I went practical: two meat and cheese platters—because balanced protein beats sugar crashes when you’re road-tripping like a pro.

Dinner: We hit up a restaurant for dinner, and I kept it on point—a burger, no bun, topped with sautéed mushrooms and fresh sliced avocado, paired with unsweetened tea to keep things balanced. Delicious, satisfying, and totally in line with my usual go-to meals.

After dinner, we swung by the grocery store so I could reload on essentials and make sure my GLP-1-friendly options were locked and loaded. No last-minute meal struggles here—just smart planning and a kitchen stocked for success. What made the cut? Eggs, avocados, organic A2 “raw” yogurt, organic cold brew coffee, and bottled water since I didn’t have access to my solarized water.

Day 2 (Mother’s Day):

Breakfast: Keeping it quick and easy, I grabbed Carnivore Crisps and a pack of SuperChews—the perfect grab-and-go fuel before church. No fuss, no prep, just solid protein to hold me over since we’d be heading out for a Mother’s Day lunch afterward.

Pit Stop: Before heading to church, said teenager needed a caffeine fix, plus it’s something we do together, so we made a quick stop at a local coffee shop. Naturally, I took the opportunity to grab a cold brew—smooth and strong—with a splash of heavy cream and a dash of sugar-free caramel flavoring to keep things simple yet satisfying

Lunch:  After church we went to an authentic Mexican restaurant, one of my favorites, I ordered the Plato Verde, it’s a simple yet flavorful plate featuring a whole grilled lime avocado, loaded with chicken and beef fajita meat. I skipped the rice and beans, opting instead for a fresh salad, no dressing, to keep it light but satisfying.

Dinner Making It Work: As a 17-year-old guy with a bottomless appetite, the teenager wanted to order pizza. Since this place didn’t offer a cauliflower crust option, I kept it simple and protein-packed—opting for sausage and meatballs instead. No crust, no compromise, just a solid meal that fit my goals while still embracing the pizza night vibes.

Day 3:

Breakfast: Just Me & the Teenager: With the house to ourselves, it was just me and the teenager for breakfast. He was excited to take me to a local spot he loves—and even worked at for a bit—so of course, I was in. Keeping it simple and satisfying, I ordered scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and sliced avocado—the perfect fuel for the day ahead.

And because he insisted that his favorite pancakes were life-changing, I even let myself have a bite—just enough to appreciate the hype without completely surrendering to the carb temptation.

Late Lunch, Early Dinner—The Perfect Combo: With plenty of sausage and meatballs left from the pizza order the night before, I kept it simple and satisfying with a combo meal—lunch and dinner in one. No extra effort, just a solid, protein-packed plate that made the perfect fuel for the rest of the day.

Day 4:

Breakfast: With the teenager still snoozing, I kept breakfast quick and effortless, grabbing a package of SuperChews and some Carnivore Crisps for an easy, protein-packed start to the day. No fuss, no prep—just solid fuel to keep things moving.

Lunch/Dinner: Keeping the Red Robin Tradition Alive: One tradition we’ve always stuck to is grabbing a meal at Red Robin—a classic go-to for us. Years ago, I introduced the teenager to the magic of adding a sunny-side-up egg to a burger, and to this day, he knows it’s a next-level move.

For my order, I kept it bun-free, swapping the bottomless fries for steamed broccoli to keep things light while still enjoying the tradition.

Day 5:

Breakfast: I kept breakfast quick and effortless, grabbing a package of SuperChews and some Carnivore Crisps for an easy, protein-packed start to the day—no fuss, no prep, just solid fuel to keep things moving, which is exactly why I always travel with these essentials.

Lunch: My husband and I have embraced life in the middle of nowhere—which means DoorDash and those type of delivery services aren't an option out here. But when the always-hungry teenager decided he needed food, he had McDonald’s delivered (because of course he did).

Since I wasn’t about to jump on the fast-food bandwagon, I had him order from a Greek restaurant instead—keeping it simple with gyro meat and a small side of tzatziki sauce. No fries, no extras—just a solid meal that fit my usual go-to choices.

Dinner: A Rare After-Sunset Exception: Hunger won, and even though I rarely eat after the sun sets, I made an exception for this one. We headed to Mooyah, a Texas-based fast-casual burger spot, and to my surprise—they actually have a Keto Menu! I went for the build-your-own option, choosing a single Angus beef patty, wrapped in lettuce, topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, avocado, onions, pickles, and mustard. First time trying Mooyah, and honestly? Dang, those burgers were delicious.

Day 6:

Breakfast/Lunch Combo: One Last Mooyah Run: With my godson’s dad back from his business trip, it was time for me to head home. But before hitting the road, we decided to squeeze in one last meal—a breakfast-lunch combo at Mooyah.

Yes, it was that good. I kept it consistent, duplicating my order from the night before: a single Angus beef patty, wrapped in lettuce, topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, avocado, onions, pickles, and mustard. No regrets—just one final, delicious bite before heading out.

Dinner: Back to Reality: Back home and back to life in the middle of nowhere, my husband and I headed out to our property to check if the electric company had finally installed our meter. Turns out, with me gone, no cooking happened, and the travel trailer was completely grocery-free—so dinner out was the only option.

We ended up at a local pizza place, and luckily, they offer cauliflower crust—a win in my book. I kept it simple and satisfying, topping mine with sausage, ham, and mushrooms—a solid way to wrap up the day.

Staying with friends is always a balance of enjoying the moment while keeping your routine intact. Yes, there were temptations (hello, teenager’s fast-food cravings, and surorise pizza night), but I stayed mindful and brought my essentials. The key takeaway? Plan ahead, pack smart, and never leave your wellness routine up to chance.

-Coach Sherri

What’s your must-have travel essentials? Drop it in the comments!

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