A Healthy Hotel Breakfast

on April 14, 2010
in All Posts

After last night’s presentation, I came back to the hotel, took a bubble bath, and then crashed hard.  Because I normally share a bed with the Husband and two dogs, having a king sized hotel bed all to myself felt so… luxurious!  I don’t think I woke up once.

 

Good morning, Williamsport!

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I did a little hotel room yoga on a towel.  I did a quick 10-minute series of downward dogs, chaturangas, sun salutations, and Warrior I, II, and III.  My legs felt so tight from standing in high heels last night!  I also did my PUSH UPS!  Have you done your push ups today? I did two sets of 10.

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Time for breakfast:

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I picked up some goodies from Wegman’s last night to have for breakfast, including a whole wheat roll with jam:

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Fruit:

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And plain organic yogurt.  I looked for Greek, but Wegman’s didn’t have any.  Once you go Greek, you never want to go back!  🙁

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My ultimate yogurt is organic plain Greek, but I’ll happily settle for organic plain when I can’t find my beloved Greek.  There is an adjustment period when going from flavored/artificially sweetened yogurt to the sour plain stuff.   I weaned myself off Danon Light and Fit a few years ago by mixing plain yogurt with honey or maple syrup, and then slowly reducing the sweetener over time.

 

I’m rocking this cute shirt that Angela gave me:

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It’s appropriate because I’m hoping to go on a bike ride when I get back to Orlando.  I’ll be home in just a few hours!

 

Have a wonderful day!

 

What are your techniques for eating healthy in hotel rooms?  My #1 tip is to make use of the ice bucket.  If you want yogurt or something else that requires refrigeration in the morning, simply fill up the ice bucket and stash it inside (with the lid on!).

{ 84 comments }

 

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) April 14, 2010, 7:39 am

    I’m a diva…if the hotel room doesn’t have a fridge I request it…BOO YA!

  • Amanda (The Beautiful Army) April 14, 2010, 7:41 am

    When ypu go grrek, you CAN’T go back! i am going to try to get a salad and chobani next friday @ a hotel… Do you watch the show Glee, Caitlin? I LOVe it! (I have a singing glee club, who has meetings 2 days in a row and the principal is coming!!) :0

    • caitlin April 14, 2010, 10:13 am

      have fun at your glee event! can you believe i’ve never seen the show?

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg April 14, 2010, 7:42 am

    Have a great trip back! I always bring a banana and a lara bar as an emergency breakfast, if needed.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is April 14, 2010, 7:42 am

    Everytime we stay in a hotel room with a king bed, we come home dreaming of one! We always ask for a fridge, too. My hubby travels about 3 weeks out of the month so he is used to it!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 14, 2010, 7:43 am

    I have so little experience of hotels I can’t really comment!!
    Chatarungas…my ultimate favourite yoga move! Love it 😀
    Have a good day!

  • emptynutjar April 14, 2010, 7:49 am

    that hotel bed looks amazing caitline. safe travels.

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine April 14, 2010, 7:49 am

    I ALWAYS bring tons of bars and instant oatmeal packets with me when I travel, so if I can scrounge up a few pieces of fruit I have a decent sized breaky. It’s not gourmet, but hey- it does the trick!!

  • Nicole, RD April 14, 2010, 7:50 am

    I have to travel next week for work so I was just thinking about this. I might hit up a grocery store to get some Greek yogurt to store in my room, but I’ll definitely be taking a few Larabars, homemade granola bars, and homemade granola. Easy and non-perishable!

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) April 14, 2010, 7:58 am

    When I travel, I normally stay at hostels with kitchens so I can travel with my own oats and fruit. But when that’s not an option, I try to stock my own stuff in the minibar and then buy fresh fruit/veg at a nearby grocery.

  • Heather April 14, 2010, 8:04 am

    that is SUCH a great tip about how to slowly change your yogurt preference/habits. Seriously. SUCH A GREAT TIP. The first time I tried original greek yogurt, I was in SHOCK at what the hell everyone was raving about. [i quickly learned that MAYBE i should start with a FLAVORED greek yogurt and slowly work my way to plain….]

    Now you’ve got me thinking of what other items in my diet can I make healthy substitutions for over time. What do I know there is something BETTER for me, but I dont particularly LIKE the taste of the healthier choice, that when I modify it slightly I could like better? I’m going to be thinking long and hard about this, my friend!

    • caitlin April 14, 2010, 10:14 am

      i actually liked brown rice by mixed brown and white and then weening myself off the white. now i love brown rice.

  • Whitney @ Lettuce Love April 14, 2010, 8:11 am

    I always brings as much food as possible when I travel – bars, trail mix, granola bars, and bottles for water.

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman April 14, 2010, 8:11 am

    Where on earth did she get that shirt for you? I love it!! I always hated yogurt until I tried Greek. Everything that I hated about yogurt–the texture, the sweetness–was gone. If I can’t get Greek yogurt, I just don’t eat it.

    • caitlin April 14, 2010, 10:15 am

      i have no idea where she got it 🙂 but its super cute! and comfy too.

  • Sana April 14, 2010, 8:13 am

    Yay! It must have been fun sleeping in a KING! Most hotels have a free b-fast and I usually snag up something granola related!

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly April 14, 2010, 8:14 am

    We always stay in hotels that have mini fridges…that way we can bring some of our own stuff! 🙂 Love that shirt!

  • Lindsay @ cookingforaveganlover.wordpress.com April 14, 2010, 8:15 am

    I generally bring a knife and a fork with me unless I know that the hotel has a restaurant or room service then I just ask for them upon my arrival. Since my hubby and I are vegan finding vegan breakfast can be the most difficult meal of the day when we travel so I generally back instant oatmeal, amazing grass and lara or clif bars. If I don’t pack them then we usually pick up fruit and bagels and hummus or PB. I am all about packing food especially breakfast and snacks when we travel so that we can eat healthy and to save some money!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday April 14, 2010, 8:16 am

    You sleep with your husband AND dogs! That must be one tight squeeze!

    • caitlin April 14, 2010, 10:15 am

      in a queen sized bed!!!

  • Joanne April 14, 2010, 8:19 am

    My favorite is the plain Greek yogurt as well. The ones with the fruit on the bottom tend to be too sweet.
    Love that shirt. It’s so you. 🙂
    Have a safe trip home.

  • megan April 14, 2010, 8:21 am

    great idea on the ice bucket! I just can’t get into greek yogurt. it’s too thick for me. but I’m trying to make myself like plain yogurt instead of artificially flavored. I put it in my smoothies, and mix honey (and sometimes m&m’s…) into it when i eat it as a snack.

    i’ve heard some people say it’s better to have full fat yogurt…something about the fat helping you digest the nutrients? can’t quite remember why now. any thoughts?

    • caitlin April 14, 2010, 10:16 am

      i’ve heard this too but i don’t really know the science behind it. however, i usually do opt for 2% yogurt because i find the fat in it helps me feel fuller longer (and hey, it tastes better!).

  • Fit Chick in the City April 14, 2010, 8:23 am

    I totally love that t-shirt. I’ll have to ask Angela where she got it. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite April 14, 2010, 8:26 am

    I always make sure to get a room with a mini-fridge. That way we can eat healthy.

    When it doesn’t work out that way, I make sure to pack some nuts and lara bars.

  • Abby April 14, 2010, 8:34 am

    While I would ideally be staying somewhere with a fridge and access to a grocery store, this is rarely the case. However, almost every hotel has a Starbucks (or similar cafe), so I get steamed soy milk and use instant oatmeal packets I packed, added in some fruit and almond butter and I have a delicious breakfast for only a couple bucks.

    I also make sure I bring bars, dried fruit and almonds just in case I run out of options. Like I said, I would like to have a fridge and a store nearby, but that’s not always the case. Make do with what you have!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit April 14, 2010, 8:42 am

    Looks like your event went really well, congrats! It’s so amazing what you have created for yourself 🙂

  • Heather (runningwithsass.com) April 14, 2010, 8:46 am

    good call using a towel on the floor, hotel floors are gross. I always wear shoes/socks/slippers!

  • Allison April 14, 2010, 8:46 am

    I have that shirt!!!!!!!!!!! Love it!

    • Jessica April 14, 2010, 6:08 pm

      Where did you get it??? I love it and need it ASAP! 🙂

  • Caitlin April 14, 2010, 8:50 am

    I always try to stay at a hotel that has a free continental breakfast..so I can have cold cereal w/fruit, or oatmeal and fruit for breakfast.

    Also, Wegmans has greek yogurt but it is actually in a different section than the regular dairy products. It is near the frozen vegetarian meals and organic section!

    • caitlin April 14, 2010, 10:17 am

      Ahh! I knew it was hiding SOMEWHERE!

  • Marlene April 14, 2010, 8:52 am

    Have you ever tried making your own Greek yogurt? You simply buy plain yogurt, and put it in a strainer lined with cheese cloth. put it over a bowl, and put the whole thing in the fridge. As the excess water drains out of the yogurt, what you’re left with is Greek yogurt. (it takes about a day to a day and a half, depending on the consistency you like – you may even have to empty the bowl part way).

    I haven’t actually crunched the numbers to see if it’s cheaper than just buying Greek yogurt, but it’s a fun experiment. And anytime I have to use cheese cloth, it makes me feel like a pro!

    • caitlin April 14, 2010, 10:18 am

      i haven’t tried it yet but i hear it works! i need to experiment, it would be fun!

  • Jenny April 14, 2010, 8:58 am

    That is an awesome shirt! Eating healthy in hotels can be really basic… the continental breakfast (yuck) is often an option but they usually have cheerios, some sort of fruit and yogurt/low-fat milk!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) April 14, 2010, 8:59 am

    that’s a great idea to do yoga on a towel in hotels! i’ve never thought of that…and sadly i haven’t done my push-ups yet :/ ooops!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) April 14, 2010, 8:59 am

    That shirt that Angela got you is adorable! Great job on the preso, girl!

  • Gracie (complicated day) April 14, 2010, 9:01 am

    Yummy breakfast I hope your luxury suite got comped by the college!

  • Jordan April 14, 2010, 9:05 am

    When we travel for vacation (almost always Disney World), we bring a cooler or have a resort room with fridge. I also bring bananas, granola, bagels, and PB.

    For work trips, I haven’t always been so prepared. I’ve gone to Chicago for the last few years and finally hit up Trader Joe’s for essentials. The worst experience I had with getting simple, healthy food was in Vegas at the Venetian. Tons of restaurants there but nothing cheap and convenient. And they would take my food out of the mini bar fridge every single day.

  • Raya April 14, 2010, 9:07 am

    Ahhhh, WEGMAN’S!!!!! I grew up in upstate NY (Rochester) and Wegman’s is THE grocery store to go to-they’re EVERYWHERE. I miss it living in florida!!!

  • kalli@fitandfortysomething April 14, 2010, 9:11 am

    i love how you incorporate exercise and wellness even when you travel 🙂 i tend to bring food with me when i travel so i eat better on the road. have a safe trip back and love your shirt 🙂

  • Kelly April 14, 2010, 9:25 am

    Love that shirt, so cute! I’ve started bringing food with me when I travel to the bfs apartment since they usually have NOTHING.

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers April 14, 2010, 9:31 am

    I LOVE that shirt!!!

  • Lizz (leadingthegoodlife) April 14, 2010, 9:33 am

    Although ‘free’ hotel breakfasts are usually mediocre at best, I always stop by to snag a piece of fresh fruit or an individual box of Total cereal. I try not to eat there because I know I’ll end up with greasy hashbrowns! The fruit/cereal is good to have on hand while finding the perfect breakfast elsewhere or traveling throughout the day.

  • Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries April 14, 2010, 9:35 am

    Love the t-shirt and am SO GLAD your presentation went well. As if I ever thought it wouldn’t…!

  • Lauren @ A Fit Foodie April 14, 2010, 9:36 am

    I try and pack granola bars, apples and peanut butter in advance. The ice bucket is a great idea though! I will keep that in mind!

  • Sarah April 14, 2010, 9:40 am

    I spent lots of time in Williamsport this past December for my friend’s wedding. And I actually managed to find Greek yogurt in that same Wegman’s (as well as the Wegman’s near me). I’m sorry you couldn’t find any! I used to be a Dannon Light N Fit junkie! But then I discovered Greek yogurt and loved it. Now I’m vegan so I don’t eat yogurt anymore but HEAB has a recipe for almond milk yogurt that I might try 🙂

    Have a fantastic day!!

  • Bethany April 14, 2010, 9:40 am

    Great pics of PA! I live in Jacksonville, FL and I’m going to Pittsburgh for the PGH Marathon on May 2. My fam’s originally from PGH so it’s gonna be a bit of a family visit too – and i’ll have a built in cheering section for the race! Jax is flat but i’ve been running the bridges downtown to prepare me for the hills and briges of downtown Pittsburgh – yikes! Any suggestions for pre/post race eats?

    • caitlin April 14, 2010, 10:19 am

      oh man! i am so jealous you are doing the pittsburgh marathon! wave at the cathedral of learning for me!!!

      just eat whatever you’ve been having normally on long run days. dont do anything different!

  • Katie @ Two Lives, One Lifestyle April 14, 2010, 9:43 am

    I pack a bunch of granola bars that have a good protein content to keep me full, and sometimes fruit that doesn’t bruise easily. If there is a complimentary breakfast, I go snag fruit or wheat toast. The grocery store is good for when you have a car though. PS- If you go to Wegman’s again the Greek yogurt might be over in the health foods/organic section. That’s where they keep it at the one by my parents 🙂

  • Lauren @ Eater not a runner April 14, 2010, 9:45 am

    I totally use the ice bucket trick! Love that one. I also always pack some easy healthy foods…..oatmeal, dried fruits, bars, nuts…..

  • Evan Thomas April 14, 2010, 9:48 am

    I can’t agree more on going Greek with yogurt. I came home last night and had to have regular yogurt this morning. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the same 🙁

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! April 14, 2010, 9:53 am

    I have been lucky and most of the hotels or motels I have stayed in have had a good breakfast bar with lots of fruit and yogurt, however for lunch a packed one in a cooler is best………great idea with the ice bucket though. =)

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat April 14, 2010, 9:59 am

    What a great idea about the ice bucket! I’ve been lucky that on my last couple of trips, they have had oatmeal and bananas at the continental breakfast and I bring my own peanut butter 🙂

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 14, 2010, 10:03 am

    For me it depends on how long I’m staying. Overnight I’ll use the ice bucket. Any longer I’ll ask for a mini-fridge. I have to take probiotics for my IBS so they need to be refrigerated. I just stash other stuff in there too.

    Every hotel has them for guest who ask.

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 14, 2010, 10:10 am

    I absolutely went with greek yogurt awhile back and can not imagine eating anything else now. I, too, had started out with Dannon Light & Fit. Even smelling it now makes me a little nauseated.

  • Shannon April 14, 2010, 10:15 am

    When I’m out of town for work, I always bring a box of instant oatmeal and a spoon, then I just use hot water from the coffee maker!

  • Matt April 14, 2010, 10:17 am

    Hotel breakfasts are normally pretty healthy. Fruit, oatmeal, toast, ect… Just watch out for the bacon!

  • Mary (Food Fit & Fun) April 14, 2010, 10:22 am

    I love greek yougurt although I too will sometimes settle for stonyfield plain! I used to eat Dannon Light & Fit all of the time….I really don’t know how I did it!

  • Jen April 14, 2010, 10:23 am

    Greek yogurt is great. One tip for finding it at Wegmans is to look in the Natural Foods section, I only know because I had trouble finding it at first too. Now I tell everyone who shops at Wegmans where to look.

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing April 14, 2010, 10:24 am

    When I traveled for work and would be in a hotel for a week at a time, I would hit up the grocery store and stock up. Save $ too so I get to keep some of the per diem as profit! 🙂

  • Sami April 14, 2010, 10:26 am

    brilliant ice bucket idea! i always bring my own little insulated lunch box with those awesome, stay-frozen-forever, icepaks to make sure i can always have my yogurt. continental breakfasts aren’t always accommodating to healthy eaters! 🙂 hope wilpo treated you kindly!! wish i could’ve been at the presentation!

  • Sarah for Real April 14, 2010, 10:39 am

    Most hotels will bring you a mini-fridge if you ask for one. I’ve done that on occasions when we stay longer than one night.

    Love the ice bucket idea though. I’ve never wanted to ask for a whole fridge for just one little thing!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life April 14, 2010, 10:41 am

    At my Wegmans the Greek Yogurt is located in “Nature’s Marketplace” aka the Organic Section.

    I love your ice bucket idea!

  • Amber April 14, 2010, 10:42 am

    That’s a great tip about the ice bucket! I’ve never thought of that! At hotels I usually try to take advantage of the complimentary breakfast (if they have one) and I *try* to stick to fruit and yogurt and avoid the pancakes/waffles/sugary cereals that are often there!

  • Kacy April 14, 2010, 11:03 am

    Love the ice bucket tip! I only just formed a true love for Greek yogurt in the last few months, but now I really don’t care for regular. Funny how we can adjust our tastes.

  • Sophie @ yumventures April 14, 2010, 11:09 am

    I adore Wegmans! I went to school in update NY and practically lived there — I miss it so much!

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance) April 14, 2010, 11:11 am

    I JUST wrote a post about travel snacking/eating yesterday! I also try and take advantage of ice buckets and mini-fridges!

  • Midgetkeeper April 14, 2010, 11:24 am

    I loved Wegmans when I lived in Buffalo, NY, miss it.

    Have a safe trip back home.

  • nancy April 14, 2010, 11:43 am

    I’m with you. If at all possible I bring my own greek yogurt with me when I travel. I also mix a ziploc bag of walnuts, flax and Ezekiel cereal to go into it, usually along with a banana from the hotel. Sometimes the hotel breakfast bars are OK and sometimes they are awful. The hotel I was in last offered only waffles, white bagels and Fruit Loops. Ick. Breakfast is vital for me and it’s got to be something I know will give me a good start to my day.

  • Paige April 14, 2010, 12:12 pm

    Wow Angela hooked you UP with sweet tees, huh? Or should I say…eh?

  • Lauren @ Running Examiner April 14, 2010, 12:16 pm

    Hotel room yoga is the best!

    Maybe not the best, but it does the trick 😉

    Gah I’m hopelessly in love with Wegmans. I’m from Syracuse origially, and the “flagship” store is located in the next suburb over from my town. I really feel like it was a seminal part of my childhood, haha. I’m going home tomorrow to visit my family, and I’m already excited about Wegmans! Normal, right? 🙂

  • Lauren April 14, 2010, 1:04 pm

    I am so surprised that Wegmans didn;t have Greek Yogurt!!! Did you look in the organic section. It’s often hiding in there and not with all of the other yogurts in the dairy section. They always carry Oikos but not Chobani.

    Glad the presentation went well and safe travels back to FL!

  • Julie @savvyeats April 14, 2010, 1:15 pm

    That t-shirt is ADORABLE!

  • Christine @ Grub, Sweat and Cheers April 14, 2010, 1:17 pm

    I must have one of those t-shirts – love it! I have one of the old ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ tin signs – but I just adore that t-shirt.

  • Lisa @ Early Morning Run April 14, 2010, 1:22 pm

    I like to pick up a few things from a local grocery store too, and often end up using the ice bucket if there’s not fridge. I’m always a little worried that the ice bucket won’t keep it cold enough through the night, but no problems so far!

  • Amanda April 14, 2010, 1:33 pm

    The ice machine is your friend : )

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie April 14, 2010, 1:42 pm

    Whoa! That shirt is awesome! I need to get something like that.

  • linds April 14, 2010, 3:01 pm

    girl, where’d you get that shirt ?, I love it ! And isn’t Wegman’s the best

  • Olivia @ Blissful Runner April 14, 2010, 3:13 pm

    LOVE the shirt!! Soooo coool!!!

  • Marci April 14, 2010, 3:34 pm

    I used to think the only yogurt worth eating was Dannon Light and Fit too. Lowest calories, but also low on protein! So now I’m only Oikos or Chobani. And I make use of the ice bucket too. And also bring my own cereal and Larabars anywhere I go.

  • Kim April 14, 2010, 4:12 pm

    You are soo right about the yogurt! Nothing is better than some Chobani or Oikos or I get a greek yogurt made by Brown Cow that is yummy too! All other yogurt just seems thin now!

  • Ellen Collis April 14, 2010, 4:54 pm

    Ahh, good thinking with the ice bucket trick. Now I have NO excuses when I travel! And I don’t know if I will ever become a fan of Greek yogurt (and I’m um, GREEK). It’s so sour to me. Sounds like it was a process for you…perhaps I will try the same thing you did instead of being all or nothing with it.

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 14, 2010, 7:22 pm

    I have used the ice bucket as a fridge too … but mostly when I am in a hotel room, I am on vacation, and I go out to eat and order whatever I feel like, without worry about it necessarily being healthy 🙂 I go all out on vacations!

    I don’t think I have been in a hotel for work or anything like that.

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