People always ask me what I do when I go to an unfamiliar place and can’t control my meals. First, I hate to think of it as “control,” even though I know that’s what it seems like. My biggest tool is just preparing, both mentally and sometimes filling up my bag with goodies.  Earlier this week I was invited to the Monday night Giants game, my first this year!  It was really fun and I had a great time (even though the team played terribly). The difficult thing though…what was I going to have for dinner. I was lucky enough to be in a suite so all of the food was provided for me. When we arrived the food was setup and ready to go and I was ready to eat.

I quickly noticed it was mostly fried finger foods, corned beef and turkey sandwiches and a salad consisting of lettuce,tomatoes, olives, cucumbers and croutons. In the hot bar section they did have sautéed mushrooms so I put those atop my salad and used minimal dressing. While there was no protein per se, I was satisfied and wasn’t hungry the rest of the night.The kettle potato chips that seemed homemade (but could they really be?) also helped keep me full! I mean, I had to indulge a little!  Usually, no matter where you are, you will find a salad option of some kind. While it may not be gourmet or even what you’re craving or hoping for, it should do the trick. Make sure to drink enough water before and after to help keep you full as well. Water is a great tool to help you realize if you’re actually still hungry or just smelling foods that are making you think you’re hungry. If you feel yourself succumbing to the fried foods, just think about how you will feel afterward. Will it be worth it?Sometimes the answer will be yes! But most of the time, it won’t be.This isn’t will power; it’s just a mindset change.After my salad and some chips, I sat outside and enjoyed the rest of the game and didn’t think about food at all. You can do this; it just takes a little bit of strategy when you get somewhere. Of course you could always pack some nuts or Lara Bars (my favorite) with you so you’re never totally stuck if nothing is speaking to you. I always carry snacks with me; it must be something I learned from my grandma!