Cross-Country Road Trip Food Diary: Indulging in America's Best Bites Without Gaining Weight
After my successful 21-day cross-country road trip promoting my diet book Calorie Accounting, it's time to share the real story of eating on the road.
I have a history of indulging in snacks like Pringles and Peanut M&Ms during drives. But promoting a diet book meant trying to stay disciplined with strict diet and exercise goals.
Reality check: Dieting on vacation is nearly impossible and often counterproductive. Vacations are for relaxation and new experiences—including food. While I didn't stick 100% to my plan, I maintained my weight—no gain, no loss. That's a victory.
How I enjoyed iconic foods and balanced the calories:
3 Beignets at Café du Monde, New Orleans – 527 calories. Shared with my partner (264 each). Offset by a 2-mile walk from Frenchman to Canal Streets. (Hurricane cocktail counted as cultural immersion.)
Fried Chicken Thighs at Salty Sow, Austin – 270 calories. Paired with salad; balanced with a 3-mile run around Town Lake.
Endless snacks from family in Phoenix – ~600 calories. Pampered visit in the heat; pool activities kept it in check.
Vanilla Cruller from Spudnuts, Los Angeles – 421 calories. National Donut Day treat; burned off with 30 minutes jogging Echo Park.
In-N-Out Burger near Pioneertown, CA – 240 calories. Protein Style (lettuce wrap, no cheese) fit perfectly in my daily budget.
Bacon & Rice Cakes/Salt Cod Fried Rice at Mission Chinese, San Francisco – ~800 calories total, ~350 for me. Group meal; jogged 25 minutes on Mission hills. Szechuan peppers added extra 'burn'.
Strawberry Honey Balsamic Black Pepper Ice Cream at Salt & Straw, Portland – 310 calories + 90 on waffle cone. Vacation splurge after a flat tire; worth it.
Cross-Country Fast – 900 calories over 1.5 days. 1,800-mile drive from Portland to Kansas City; carrot chips with hummus and hot sauce sustained me.
Small Skyline Chili 3-Way, Cincinnati – 380 calories. Moderation saved ~400 calories; book sales excitement boosted metabolism.
Back in Chicago, I celebrated with string cheese—no weight gain after 21 days. Proof that mindful indulgence works.
Learn more about Calorie Accounting: The Foolproof Diet-by-Numbers Plan for a Skinnier New You at www.calorieaccounting.com.
