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Topic: Food on the road ? |
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 24 Nov 2004 10:20 pm |
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Have touring bands made a data base or list of some sort of places to eat out there ?
Its takes quite a bit of effort to avoid the franchises but it is well worth it when it comes to staying healthy on the road.
thanks, Bob
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Chris Forbes
From:
Beltsville, MD, USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 3:15 am
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| Ugh, healthwise, I'm still paying for my days on the road. I don't miss it one bit. |
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erik
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 5:06 am
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Bob, no experience here obviously, but how about checking yellow pages wherever you are for health food stores? Take-out Chinese, just get rice and steamed vegetables, no sauce. Split deli sandwiches between 2 people you only need half for one meal. Avoid sit-down meals as much as possible you will no doubt be served too much. Stuff your stomach and you will be hungrier more often and faster. Walk out of any place where the food freshness may be suspect. Of course, take my advice with a grain of......er, salt.
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-johnson
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 6:24 am
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The reality is that most 'stops' have to be taken at Interstate exits - these are almost exclusively populated by the fast-food chains, and it can be difficult to find much else.
On my current tour, we look for Panera - good sandwiches and lovely soups, albeit a little pricey. They may only be in the north-east, though - I'm not sure (they're a lot like the Atlanta Bread Co franchises). Subway is another option - there's an element of control over what you put in your mouth!
We have an 'Exit Guide' ($12.00 or so) that lists all food and accommodation at every junction on all Interstates - it's quite a help in planning our rest-breaks.
For me, the problem is compounded by my addiction to comfort foods (too much carbohydrate and salt); this is exacerbated on the road, when the distances are a trial, and the best part of the day is when you're sat behind the steel (about two hours!) Eating becomes the second-most rewarding daily activity!
Maybe 61 is too old to be doing it at all! It's my weakness that's to blame, but I can only eat well when I'm here at home.....
RR |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 7:03 am
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| Yes Panera is in the Northeast, at least they're here in the Philly region. But, to my knowledge, they're only at strip mall type locations, so you won't find one at the Interstate Exit, and if you were gigging downtown (as you recently were, sorry to have missed you, by the way), you won't find one at all. They are good, however. |
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Glenn Austin
From:
Montreal, Canada
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 7:32 am
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| In my experience, if you have to eat fast food, the healthiest would be Subway, or you could buy prepared stuff like soups and salads in a supermarket. Get a cooler that you can plug into a 12 volt receptacle. Or you could steam hotdogs on the engine. |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 8:00 am
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Been there, done that, got the T-shirt (XL).
First concept to grasp: You're not 19 years old anymore and can no longer eat like a teenager.
Restaurant problems: Food too high in fats and portions way too large. Self-control deficient people are left at risk. Danger, Will Robinson!!
Subway is good. Even McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King have salads. Overpriced, but hey... they're the healthiest things on the menu, whaddayawant?
Ordering a burger anyway? Skip the fries. It will be difficult, trust me. Drink water, unsweetened tea, coffee, or diet soda.
The prepared-food idea from supermarkets is an excellent way to go as well. Get the sandwich and avoid the chips, admittedly a hard thing to do, as with the fries.
THE Most Important Rule: Don't eat breakfast late at night after the gig. Go to bed hungry. Then eating a good breakfast in the morning will tide you over through the day. Some fruit or raw vegetables as a midday snack and then the modest dinner, like a large salad, hopefully at least an hour before gig time.
When your body is busier than a one-armed paperhanger digesting a big, fatty meal, your blood becomes alkaline and the result is you get sleepy. Mexicans take a siesta, but you don't want to nod out when it's time to rock out.
The salad/fibrous food thing is important. For many of us being on the road creates a "fight or flight" condition in our bodies which can cause mild to severe constipation. Additionally, physical activity is restricted when riding on buses. More chance for constipation. Get the bowels moving with stuff that doesn't just sit there.
Finally, words of wisdom from my late guru Jimmy Day. "Hit the stage horny and hungry."
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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association
[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 25 November 2004 at 08:04 AM.] |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 8:06 am
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| It's even worse on a bus, when almost every stop is some awful Mega-truck stop. I've gotten to where I start twitching every time I see a "Pilot" or TA sign... we've tried to stock up on healthy groceries, but I'll vote for Subway as the next closest alternative. I'd love to know who made up the old addage about "go where the truckers eat, that's the good place". No way. |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 8:24 am
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Cafeterias offer the most variety of healthy foods, with salad/soup bars, meats, veggies, even low fat meals for those who wish.
A healthy meal can be put together very easily at a cafeteria, but they are usually in shopping malls and you have to leave the interstate to find them.
www.genejones.com [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 25 November 2004 at 08:25 AM.] |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 8:33 am
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Panera are, as you say, at the strip-mall locations, but our 'Exit Guide' indicates the locations of retail places, so they're easy to spot.
One exit we were at recently had a supermarket with a deli-section - the soup was wonderful and, at $2.20, a real bargain; while the actors gorged at the fast-food places, I felt all virtuous with my relatively-healthy repast! (Mind you, the actors are mostly under 25, so they can do this with impunity - or. maybe, until they pay for it as I am at age 60+!)
Subway has long been a favourite option for me - maybe I eat a little too much bread in the process, but I still think it's better than most choices.
Another good choice? A salad and a baked potato from Wendy's or similar....
....and I try to go to bed hungry, too! Not difficult, as by 11.00 or so, I'm so knackered by the 'bus and the show that I'm asleep in moments...
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 25 November 2004 at 09:37 AM.] |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 10:14 am
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| This is an important subject. I agree with Herb that the number one thing to avoid at all cost is french fries. Very bad for health. Staying up late and eating unhealthy is a sure way to encourge health problems. I alwys try to head to the nearest Cracker Barrel when traveling. Good healthy food, pleasant service and great traditional country music over the speaker system. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 10:21 am
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Thanks for the tips guys. I'm already pretty good at most of that stuff. I also wake up early and work out a little. I have even come back from a 5 week van tour in better shape than when I left. Another thing that helps me is keeping the caffiene, sugar and alcohol to a minimum.
This last tour I gave up cigarettes so I put on a little weight but feel much better. The smokes really wear you down.
What I am interested in is a reference guide to Mom and Pop type places or local food once you hit town. Like Dreamland in Birmingham or a classic meat and three in Nashville. I'm discusted with the whole corporate/industrial food monolith and do my best to avoid it.
Maybe I'll put up a web page myself if there isn't one out there yet.
thanks, Bob[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 25 November 2004 at 10:23 AM.] |
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Greg Simmons
From:
where the buffalo (used to) roam AND the Mojave
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Brian Wetzstein
From:
Billings, MT, USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 12:00 pm
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Something I do when I travel on the road is bring a box of protien meal replacement bars. they usually have a nice balance of things in them plus around 30 grams of protien. Cottage cheese and yougurt in the same meal make a nice protien and carb balance. I quit eating fried food and drinking soda (except for the occasional red bull) and I feel much better for it.
Sometimes the convenience factor plays a role in what is available to eat, but most quick mart stores have something better than french fries.
Good thread.
what else do you guys eat on the road?
brian |
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Andy Greatrix
From:
Edmonton Alberta
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Posted 25 Nov 2004 12:02 pm
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I'm on the road this week down in Reddeer Alberta. fortunately for me, there is a Superstore Grocery store right across from the hotel. I stock up on apples, grapes, bananas, raw green beens, soy milk and hotpeppers. Being as I'm overweight, I won't starve on this diet and I will be back home on Sunday.
(with most of my pay). Also, I don't drink smoke, etc., anymore so I will come home with most of my pay. Life is good! |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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