https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 02 May 2026 04:22:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-755826 Thu, 02 May 2013 05:15:22 +0000 emahlee 755826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: re: picnic lunches, those were hit and misses. Sometimes he ate on the floor, sometimes he ate standing up and holding a park bench (or ledge of any sort), sometimes he ate in his umbrella stroller, sometimes he didn't eat at all. A particular picnic lunch (or any lunch for that matter) was generally a combination of ALL of that. </p> <p>I think the key was giving him a lot of snacks throughout the day. Even if he didn't eat well during a particular meal, he was never hungry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-740733 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:49:28 +0000 Dandelion 740733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know nothing about foreign travel but could you start taking out lo out for picnics now before you go? Then you can do a bit of trial and err and find out what will work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-740722 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:43:08 +0000 irene 740722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: thanks! Wow, I didn't even know such thing (shelf stabled milk) existed.</p> <p>@Crumbs: Thanks! Great tip!!</p> <p>@emahlee: Kudos to you and it sounds like you guys are having so much fun! For me, on the other hand, I hate cooking. I'll see how we survive... How did your baby do on the picnic lunches? Did you all sit on the floor? Were you spoonfeeding or did you let him eat on his own? I think we sort of tried once when he was that young, he didn't eat anything as he was too curious and busy....</p> <p>@Lozza: Thanks... we don't have a hotel yet (have to research if we are moving locations because of road trips)... and I am trying not to give him processed food (ie frozen premade stuff, ham...etc.) as those have a lot of sodium and what not. I do like to bring milk because LO drinks a lot of milk and he loves milk! It'd make me feel better too :) I think I figured out a solution and/or bring some "shelf-stabled milk" along as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-739564 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:38:01 +0000 Lozza 739564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bet if you email your hotel they could help explain things like when restaurants will be open, where the nearest market is and when it's open, what kind of foods are easily available for takeout or picnics, etc. </p> <p>Also, I'm sure you can find some kind of frozen meatballs or sausage, and those would be easy meats to take with you- pop them in the microwave or oven or toaster oven for a bit before you head out, and LO can probably eat them cold (my LO will totally eat cold meatballs that would gross me out). </p> <p>Also, if you're planning on trying to keep your clock five hours earlier than Iceland's, you could plan on doing a big late lunch at what would be dinnertime there, and still have your one big meal a day out at a restaurant, and then just kind of graze the rest of the time. </p> <p>Does your LO eat tofu? I have no idea if you can find it in Iceland, but if you can, that's an easy protein- my LO will eat it straight (uncooked) with a little peanut sauce on it or rolled in cheerio crumbs or something like that. </p> <p>Also, will your LO drink water? At 18 months, I wouldn't have worried so much about LO going without milk for a day or so if I could just give him water instead. You could also bring little packets of formula if you want- it would be easier to pack than milk, and no matter where you are or what you're up to, it'd be an easy way to get some extra calories and nutrients into LO. A colleague of mine used to sprinkle some formula into yogurt for her son occasionally to up the nutritional content if she was worried about his eating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-739410 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:58:04 +0000 emahlee 739410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm currently traveling around France w my 11 month baby. I cook breakfast and dinner at the apartment we're renting, but we have lunch on the go. I pack him some a jar of baby food, a fruit packet, bread and cheese for lunch that way if the adults aren't eating, he still gets something to eat. We're having a lot of picnic lunches. When we eat at restaurants, the kid eats in his stroller. </p> <p>I've been cooking everyday which I really enjoy. We visit the markets in the mornings and I get to experience with new ingredients and try traditional french recipes. On days I don't feel like cooking, we have store bought rotisserie chicken or street food (pizza or shwarmas) for dinner... Or I get my husband to pan fry steaks for a quick and delicious meal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-736548 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:13:34 +0000 SugarplumsMom 736548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have much advice as far as tactics go, but I just wanted to mention that you might want to double-check the closing hours of all stores and eateries. </p> <p>I live in Sweden and during the summer everything here closes really early! It's shocking, really. I'm not sure if it's the same in Iceland, but I'd definitely double check, just to make sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-736511 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:06:59 +0000 lemondrop 736511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pack my little guy a bento when we are on the go. He's messy, but getting better at 15 months. We do a lot of cottage cheese too since he hates eggs. I also give him some of the turkey out of my sandwiches, which he loves.</p> <p>You also may be able to rent a high chair through a hotel or condo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-736501 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:04:58 +0000 looch 736501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I like your plan, with one exception, the milk.</p> <p>I wouldn't count on the airline being able to store the milk in a fridge for you. If you can, bring the shelf stable packages. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-736473 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:58:09 +0000 mrsmate 736473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: haha, I wish I've been to Iceland! Skyr is Icelandic yogurt and at my supermarkets here in Boston they are pretty common. A friend of mine did go to Iceland with her 1yo about a yr ago, feel free to shoot me any questions and I'll pass them on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-736399 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:43:16 +0000 irene 736399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsmate: Have you been to Iceland before? Can I PM you with questions? hahaha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-736393 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:41:47 +0000 irene 736393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsmate: Hmm. True. You have a point. LOL. And I will make sure we try "skyr" :)</p> <p>It's just that it is part of DH's big plan of NOT adjusting the clock (so LO doesn't suffer jet lag), which means we will be eating dinner when all restaurants are closed. Besides, we were hoping to do some road trips (not too much, but I am in the process of researching and one stretch of where I want to go is 5 hours) and they may not have restaurants on the road. Again, I haven't been there so I have no idea! I guess we'll go with the flow eventually, but I also need to be prepared.... bottomline is if we don't eat, the little one still gets to eat hahaha</p> <p>@Baby Boy Mom: Thanks! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-735747 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:41:29 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 735747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were abroad when LO was 18 months and it was really no big deal. We went to a supermarket for fruits, veg, dairy and snacks. He just ate what we ate be it street food, restaurants etc. the most important thing was that I always had a variety of snacks in my bag so that we weren't stuck with a hungry baby even if we were touring. I would not worry about meat; nothing will happen if he doesn't have it for a few days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-735612 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:53:35 +0000 mrsmate 735612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to say, I wouldn't want to go to a place like Iceland and plan to cook most of our meals. Breakfast, yes, lunch, sometimes, dinner, hell no. The food (especially the seafood) there has got to be epic! And skyr is delicious. Would you be too nervous to just plan on eating street food and getting whatever local inspires you at the supermarket? That is what I would do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-735459 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:29:03 +0000 irene 735459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I wish my LO eats oatmeal.</p> <p>@T-Mom: Yes yes, that's the plan! This is my plan breaking down-</p> <p>Milk - I have this ice pack bag from Medela (came with the pump) that carries four 5-oz bottles. I am going to fill those with LO's whole milk and carry with the ice pack on board. Hopefully they can put it in the fridge for me. That will hopefully last 1+ days before I can find a market.</p> <p>Grains: simple pasta shapes or buttered toast</p> <p>Protein: I am going to bring beans. I will buy eggs when I get there (will make sure there are pots in the condo/hotel that provides a kitchen), and may buy rotisserie chicken as @Cole: suggested.</p> <p>Veggies: Squeezie pouches.</p> <p>Fruit: Squeezie pouches and whatever simple fruit I can buy (banana, grapes)</p> <p>Diary: Yogurt, cheese</p> <p>And I'll bring some more jar food just in case.... and of course, I'll bring some cheerios, snack bites and what not.</p> <p>Any other thoughts / suggestions?</p> <p>Jeez... I am only going for 5 nights (although traveling makes it 7 days)! LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-735306 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:10:28 +0000 T-Mom 735306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: could you try and rent an apartment for your stay? Like a vacation condo? I know that's popular in other countries... I would have a plan for backup food like pouches and then when I get there scope out the local market for meats and produce that you could cook, egg. And also allow for eating out and just know that he may or may not eat as well as usual, but that's ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-734667 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:03:26 +0000 looch 734667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I pack everything! Last vacation, I think i had a suitcase full of food playing out each possible scenario. I usually pack breakfast of oatmeal and cereal (that we can't usually find abroad) and spare peanut butter. I also always have milk and squeeze pouches of yogurt smoothies. I tried the Ellas Kitchen meal pouches, my son wasn't impressed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-734651 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:59:28 +0000 irene 734651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: hahaha! What crazy things did you do? No I don't think I have a "solution" yet but I think we'll survive... just need to practice at least once or twice of "picnic" before going, and may need to buy some gear. Sigh. I'd probably be doing a ton of crazy things as well. In the meantime I am just trying to find hotels with kitchen AND microwave, silverware, utensils, pots and pans. So many hotels just offer a kitchen with nothing else. Do they expect me to bring my own pots and pans? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-734633 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:54:46 +0000 looch 734633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DId you come up with a solution? Feeding my son is a nightmare, so I do all kinds of crazy things while on vacation, that I don't recommend! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-729428 Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:53:30 +0000 irene 729428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: Thank you! This is very helpful!! I forgot about eggs.... and rotisserie chicken! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-729380 Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:37:13 +0000 Cole 729380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I find that even (especially?)wiggly toddlers do really well with picnics if you adjust your expectations. Occasionally I watch the little guy I usually have plus his equally wiggly cousin of the same age and I find picnic style those days actually works really well. I set out plates with a variety of reasonably neat foods and let them go to town. They stay in the general area with the food until they are done, go play and then come back again 15 minutes later. I do keep track of perishable food and pouch it if it isn't eaten in a timely manner. Toddlers love grazing so it is a good solution. </p> <p>Hard boiled eggs would be a good source of protein, you could do those, beans and cheese most of the time since they are easy. I would imagine you could find a few places with rotisserie chickens among other things. When I lived in France that was a common picnic food for us and then you can save done leftovers for later. I think I would try to stick with either prepared foods or maybe order extra at restaurants when you do go and save it for later. I wouldn't worry about offering meat daily, especially if your lo drinks milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-cooking-for-lo-on-an-overseas-vacation-trip#post-729338 Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:20:40 +0000 irene 729338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Advice needed!</p> <p>LO is now 14.5 months. We have confirmed and bought the tickets to iceland and this will be our big trip for the year. LO will be almost 18 months then. We picked Iceland because according to DH, it is quiet enough so we don't need to worry about going everywhere in a tight schedule. It also stays bright for long hours so we may not even need to adjust our clocks and go through the jet lag trauma for LO!</p> <p>Since the tickets got quite expensive (3k for 3 seats), we haven't even booked hotel or car yet, and DH has a big plan of NOT adjusting the clock (which means we'll be eating dinner at 11pm local time, but 6pm our time..etc), he has the big brilliant idea of doing groceries and making our own meals most of the days. This actually makes sense as it would be nice to drive to a location and have a leisurely picnic within the beautiful scenics of Iceland. IF our son is not just 18 months old.</p> <p>At 14.5 months, he eats pretty well on his own, but he still creates a mess, and only when he's eating on a high chair / at a table. I haven't really tried having him eating while seated on the floor, or unconfined. I usually allow at least 30-45 minutes for him to eat his main meals... but if we were to do a picnic, or preparing food while eating at a non-planned location, I am not sure if he can feed himself efficiently, unconfined, in a shorter period of time.</p> <p>I also wanted to pack in the 5 food groups as much as possible in the week we'll be on this trip. While I could give him squeezies for veggies, and make grill cheese and cook simple pasta (for grains), and cut up some fruits is easy, what am I going to do with meat? I kinda not want to deal with cooking meat while I am on vacation. Should I feed him beans for 7 days straight? </p> <p>For us we can do cold cuts, bread and cheese, sandwich and what not, but LO doesn't eat sandwiches efficiently without decomposing the sandwich and smearing it allover himself. I also don't want to give him deli meat / cold cuts yet.</p> <p>I guess I could go back to the spoon feeding route and bring along baby food jars (which I will have to just in case), but now that we are passed 1 year I am actually not sure if those will be nutritious enough for toddlers older than a year.</p> <p>Not to mention I am not sure if it would completely ruin my experience if I have to come home and prepare the meals for the next day for the entire vacation. So I am looking for the quickest / easiest way possible without compromising too much on nutrition values.</p> <p>Do you have any experience and any advice on this? Or have you done a picnic with a very young toddler before and was it successful? </p>