If you subscribe to a clean, “restrictive” diet, like keto or Bulletproof, you know this common dilemma: It’s 11AM on your day off and you’re running errands when your stomach growls with hunger. You didn’t prepare food before you left the house – “Nah, I won’t get hungry” – so now you’re hangry, and with few good food options.

What do you do? Race to the nearest restaurant to try to figure out what’s keto on the menu? Or slog back home and prep a meal, losing precious “get stuff done” time? (And that assumes you’re even close enough to home that that’s an option.) All of this sound strikingly familiar? No sweat. Read on for simple solutions of how to stay Bulletproof on the go — so that you never go hungry again.

Prep and pack snack ideas 

Prepare travel-friendly snacks and meals in advance and stow them at work, in your car, and in your bag or purse. This will help you stay Bulletproof when your resolve is weak and hunger is strong. These simple snack ideas require very little prep. Eat them mess-free in the car or on-the-go.

• Make hard-boiled eggs on the weekend so you have them for the week, or buy store-bought, boiled and peeled eggs that you can grab on your way out the door.
•      Wrap smoked salmon around avocado slices and pop into a bento box.
•      Make almond-butter-filled celery sticks.
•      Pack crudites likes baby asparagus spears, carrots, radish, zucchini and summer squash with guacamole, mayo or Bulletproof dressing for dip.
•      Wrap bacon, avocado, salmon and cucumber in lettuce for a sushi-like sandwich.
•      Keep beef jerky, almonds, cashews and macadamia nuts, protein bars, and high-quality dark chocolate on-hand for always-ready-to-eat snacks.

How to navigate restaurants on keto 

These general guidelines will get you through any dining out experience with five Bulletproof stars.

•      Always have the Bulletproof Diet Roadmap handy. Put the list in your wallet so you can refer to it if you have questions.
•      Check out the menu online and in advance. Nowadays, many restaurants not only feature an online menu, but some even include nutritional information. The restaurant, particularly if it’s a burger joint, might even have an app that allows you to “build your own” burger. There’s also always Yelp to read restaurant reviews, which will give you an indication of how healthy the fare is likely to be, and if the restaurant accommodates special requests. Speaking of…
•      Seek out keto- and Bulletproof-friendly restaurants. Great options are sushi joints, steakhouses, and restaurants serving salad bars and burgers.
•      Don’t be afraid to make special requests. You can always ask the waiter to prepare your meal gluten-free, low-carb, etc. It never hurts to ask and restaurants are often accustomed to making modifications.
•      Go a la carte. If you don’t see anything on the main menu that works for you, order several side dishes and make your own meal with options like Bulletproof veggies and white rice, or bacon if it’s breakfast time.
•   Pack your own seasoning and condiments. Restaurants can usually serve up plain veggies or pan-seared meat for you. Then you can add the flavoring of your choice, so you don’t have to suffer through a bland meal.
  • Fill a little jar with your Bulletproof sweetener of choice. Carry it in your purse or glove compartment.
  • Pre-mix your favorite Bulletproof spices and flavorings, so you can add them to meals you eat out.
  • Fill a travel vile with Brain Octane Oil, so you can add it to salads when you eat out.

Traveling tips

These days, there are lots of ways to travel and you don’t necessarily have to stay at a hotel and eat out every night. In fact, with AirBnb and the like, you could have your own home and cook in every night if you choose. Depending upon your travel scenario, the ease of adherence to your Bulletproof eating will vary. Though here are some simple steps you can take to make things easier on yourself – for the short or long haul.

•      Foremost, make sure you have your coffee needs covered. Check out this video on how to make Bulletproof coffee on the go — you’ll learn precisely what you need and how to do it.
•      For a short day-trip on the road, prep and pack snacks from home with the guidelines above.
•      For an overnight that includes dining out, make reservations ahead of time. This gives you a chance to troll the internet to find the best dining option for you. Check out menus or even speak to the hostess of a particular restaurant that catches your eye. Get confident that where you’re eating will cater to your food preferences.
•      Own that mini-fridge if you’re hotel-bound. Stop at a nearby market and stock up on your favorite Bulletproof friendly snacks. Use a soap dish to transport your own butter, grab a few chocolate bars, and buy some pre-packaged salmon, which you can also add to restaurant salad for lunch.  If anything needs to be chilled or frozen, purchase an insulated bag to convert that fridge into a mini freezer.
•     And always, remember that Bulletproof Diet Roadmap when you’re on the go.