Any Other Frequent CW Flyers Doing [a] Low-Carb [diet] ?
Mar 8, 2018, 9:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, Sky Team Silver, Star Alliance Silver
Posts: 159
Any Other Frequent CW Flyers Doing [a] Low-Carb [diet] ?
This seemed like such a peculiar query that I hesitated a long time before asking, however I've lost a significant amount of weight since the holidays by avoiding bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc. I'm thinner and feeling great - and am wondering if there are any others out there like me who might have tips on frequent long-hauls in CW as well as in the lounge? It's still rather new for me, and I thought there might be some veterans out there.
Mar 8, 2018, 9:55 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,439
I’ve done this when I was regular long haul traveller. You have to accept that on a plane you’ll be eating crappier food than on the ground, and that airlines pile your later with cheap carbs as filler (oh look here’s the bread basket again). So pack some snacks (or maybe the roast beef plate from FnM) and then pick as best you can from the menu. Losing the Club World was a retrograde step with the new service. Eating healthily and not drinking when flying has been the single biggest contributor to jet lag avoidance/minimisation for me.
Mar 8, 2018, 9:57 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: Seigneur des Tarifs Utils First Class Mucci with Honours :) - BA GGL / CCR
Posts: 1,551
This seemed like such a peculiar query that I hesitated a long time before asking, however I've lost a significant amount of weight since the holidays by avoiding bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc. I'm thinner and feeling great - and am wondering if there are any others out there like me who might have tips on frequent long-hauls in CW as well as in the lounge? It's still rather new for me, and I thought there might be some veterans out there.
Onboard I just avoid anything with rice and potatoes to be honest it fitted quite well and congrats its not an easy thing to do
Mar 8, 2018, 10:22 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Gold; Accor Le Club Gold
Posts: 122
I have these issues too. The best advice from my trainer, after hearing me moan about the trouble with all the free food in the lounge, was "arrive later at the airport so there's less time to be tempted". Seems like an outrage when the first lounge beckons but I fear it is good advice.
The other bit of advice I learned from Michael Mosley is that it isn't the law that you have to eat everything on a plate of food presented to you. It is in fact allowable, despite encouragement shouted at us when youngsters, to leave some or all of the carbs or anything else you don't want or shouldn't eat. I still struggle with this one but I think he may have something in this advice!
The other bit of advice I learned from Michael Mosley is that it isn't the law that you have to eat everything on a plate of food presented to you. It is in fact allowable, despite encouragement shouted at us when youngsters, to leave some or all of the carbs or anything else you don't want or shouldn't eat. I still struggle with this one but I think he may have something in this advice!
Mar 8, 2018, 11:03 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Sixt Platinum, HHons Diamond
Posts: 927
Yes - been doing this for many years. I just eat the protein element of all dishes on offer and I certainly never go hungry. I do carry bags of nuts sometimes as an insurance policy. Once you lose the need for the bulk of carbs then it is easy to go protein rich as a frequent flyer.
Mar 8, 2018, 11:28 am
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,660
I have these issues too. The best advice from my trainer, after hearing me moan about the trouble with all the free food in the lounge, was "arrive later at the airport so there's less time to be tempted". Seems like an outrage when the first lounge beckons but I fear it is good advice.
Probably best not to push it so far as actually missing the flight. Then you'll end up in the lounge, waiting for your next flight, eating and drinking do dull the pain.
Mar 8, 2018, 1:11 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emerald) & Jet Airways - Thank goodness i never got started.......most awful FF program
Posts: 2,385
I’m on a low carb, and it’s a challenge but prepare ahead of time.
Champagne and spirits are ok (but not G&Ts) as BA use fever trees and even the lighter version has too many carbs for my liking. My go to drink is vodka and Diet Coke.
Go for cheese instead of dessert, although you won’t get much.
Another tip is to utilise M&S for your own supply of protein.
Champagne and spirits are ok (but not G&Ts) as BA use fever trees and even the lighter version has too many carbs for my liking. My go to drink is vodka and Diet Coke.
Go for cheese instead of dessert, although you won’t get much.
Another tip is to utilise M&S for your own supply of protein.
Mar 9, 2018, 3:55 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Gold; Accor Le Club Gold
Posts: 122
I’m on a low carb, and it’s a challenge but prepare ahead of time.
Champagne and spirits are ok (but not G&Ts) as BA use fever trees and even the lighter version has too many carbs for my liking. My go to drink is vodka and Diet Coke.
Go for cheese instead of dessert, although you won’t get much.
Another tip is to utilise M&S for your own supply of protein.
Champagne and spirits are ok (but not G&Ts) as BA use fever trees and even the lighter version has too many carbs for my liking. My go to drink is vodka and Diet Coke.
Go for cheese instead of dessert, although you won’t get much.
Another tip is to utilise M&S for your own supply of protein.
Mar 10, 2018, 3:13 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, Sky Team Silver, Star Alliance Silver
Posts: 159
I was preparing a vodka soda in the First lounge..... but First lounge has no soda water? Was I looking in the wrong place? d3ski is right about the tonic - it's all loaded with sugars. Coke Zero to the rescue.
Mar 10, 2018, 3:36 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,552
I’m low carb these days and just avoid all bread/pastry items, and only eat a moderate amount of any carb on the main dish. No snacks between meals, especially crisps, and now tend to eat little of the 2nd meal (not at all if it’s breakfast on an overnight). Generally avoid carb-laden lounge options too. Overall I resist the urge to eat everything offered to me (my former habit) and I find sipping sparkling water a handy way to resist the urge to snack on carbs.
Carb avoidance can can be more of a challenge on short haul, especially on afternoon tea departures, though not eating at all on those flights is easier.
Carb avoidance can can be more of a challenge on short haul, especially on afternoon tea departures, though not eating at all on those flights is easier.
Mar 10, 2018, 3:38 am
#13
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London, UK and Occitanie, France
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 517
I have worked out over many years that carbs love me, and I love them. But like many dysfunctional relationships, they aren't good for me. Cutting down significantly has helped me slim down pretty dramatically and keep it off over the last four years.
On my last CW trip I slept through the meal service and the very kind cabin crew saved me a tray of cold stuff to have later. I had the starter (which was basically chilled meats), the salad, and then the cold main course option, which was salad with chicken. Between them it was almost zero carbs (and lots of roughage!).
Usually do a G-and-slimline-T or Vodka and Soda, or if I'm feeling indulgent and can spare a few, a Bloody Mary. Avoid the bread basket and ask for cheese with no biscuits (often they have extra cheese and I usually find extra plates in the club kitchen - though that depends on whether it's WW crew or not, as MF seem not to do that).
At the Flounge I usually ask for the burger with no bun but with bacon and cheese, and spare the chips, and get a big plate of salad to go with it.
Wow cgtechuk excellent work!!
On my last CW trip I slept through the meal service and the very kind cabin crew saved me a tray of cold stuff to have later. I had the starter (which was basically chilled meats), the salad, and then the cold main course option, which was salad with chicken. Between them it was almost zero carbs (and lots of roughage!).
Usually do a G-and-slimline-T or Vodka and Soda, or if I'm feeling indulgent and can spare a few, a Bloody Mary. Avoid the bread basket and ask for cheese with no biscuits (often they have extra cheese and I usually find extra plates in the club kitchen - though that depends on whether it's WW crew or not, as MF seem not to do that).
At the Flounge I usually ask for the burger with no bun but with bacon and cheese, and spare the chips, and get a big plate of salad to go with it.
Wow cgtechuk excellent work!!
Mar 10, 2018, 3:46 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, Avis Preferred Plus, Amex Plat
Posts: 2,080
Keep yourself filled up on protein, and don't eat out of boredom. I find it hard to refuse food in the lounge - the all-you-can-eat buffet effect - but you just need to be strict with yourself. Am I hungry? Would I be eating this if I was at home? Would I be eating at all?
Yep. M&S cooked chicken is my go-to snack at the moment. I also eat a lot of Greek Yoghurt (not 'Greek-style', but the Fage 20% stuff, which is high in protein and low in fat), Keeps you full.
A burger naturally comes with a bun and chips, but try to choose one or the other.
If that's working for you, great. I would caution anybody else to be careful with nuts though and check the nutritional info. They are a terrifyingly calorific for something so small.
A burger naturally comes with a bun and chips, but try to choose one or the other.
Yes - been doing this for many years. I just eat the protein element of all dishes on offer and I certainly never go hungry. I do carry bags of nuts sometimes as an insurance policy. Once you lose the need for the bulk of carbs then it is easy to go protein rich as a frequent flyer.