How to Stick to the Medical Medium Protocol While Traveling Abroad
Picking apples at a market in San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala
Really, I should’ve titled this post “How to Kind Of Stick to the Medical Medium Protocol While Traveling Abroad”.
I’ll just set the tone from the get go.
Food is such an integral part of experiencing a culture. And although not impossible to stick to the protocol, I have to be completely honest, it’s really hard and sometimes just not worth it.
When I booked my first trip after being on the Medical Medium protocol for 7 months the “what the hell am I going to eat” panic alarm went off.
WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO EAT?!?
I’ve never traveled with food restrictions before. Allowing myself to indulge in local cuisine was my favorite way of connecting with a place. But I had worked my BUTT off to heal my acne, migraines, depression and UTI’s and I was in such a good place. I wasn’t willing to completely let go and just eat whatever I wanted. I had to find my balance.
I had to learn how to be strict and how to let go, all at the same time.
Freshly squeezed OJ in Guate!
That’s what travel did for me. It allowed me to loosen the tight grip I had created around food, find what works for me and truly live and eat in the moment.
I’ve been on the protocol for over a year and have taken a few trips, learning a lot along the way, managing to enjoy my travels, stick to protocol the best I can and still indulge in the local cuisine.
If you’re new to the protocol and are a little nervous about what is going to happen to your food routine if you travel, this is for you.
These are my top tips for sticking to protocol while traveling abroad:
Disclaimer: This advice is based on my last few trips. They were short trips, less than 10 days. I didn’t have a kitchen and traveled to meat loving countries (Guatemala, Ecuador, Cuba). I am planning a long-term trip soon and will write a post on how I stick to the protocol on long-term trips ( once I figure that one out!).
A tropical fruit stand at Chichicastenango Market in Guatemala
Detach Yourself
This needs to be done before you even book a flight. If the thought of traveling and not sticking to the protocol scares you, it’s time to detach.
There shouldn’t be fear associated with this lifestyle. I know it’s easier said than done, but fear will keep you stuck, literally, at home, with no dreamy travel plans.
How to detach?
Detaching from the protocol begins with the mind. Ask yourself “What is it that scares me?”. Dig deep. Meditate on it. Pray to your Angel of Healing. Once you ask the question, the answer is on its way.
Don’t be afraid of food. The protocol is about taking your power back so that you can make conscious and healthy food choices. As long as you’re mindful and do the best you can, that’s all that matters.
Your intention is all that matters.
I also personally suggest slowly and gently incorporating some NO foods before your trip (I hope Anthony is not reading this : p).
I say this because once you get over the initial freak-out because you ate canola oil or soy, you can let go and relax while traveling. Because honestly, you will probably eat a little canola oil and soy and maybe even some gluten (gasp!) while abroad. It’s the not the end of the world. Trust me.
Traveling is about detaching yourself from your everyday life, including the protocol. HAVE FUN!
Snacking on bananas and coconut meat in Trinidad, Cuba
Create Your Non-Negotioables
From the six NO foods on the protocol (NO dairy, eggs, gluten, corn, soy, canola oil), pick a few that you will absolutely not eat.
These are your non-negotioables.
No dairy. No eggs.
Those are mine. I kept it simple and realistic, as should you.
A few days into my Guatemala trip, I just knew there was no way I was not going to get my hands on some hand-pressed corn tortillas. That was that.
But I avoided the meat and cheese and devoured them with beans and veggies. When I was in Ecuador I allowed myself to savor the locally grown and roasted coffee every morning (coffee is not a NO food on the protocol, but it is something I typically avoid. Here is why). And in Cuba, I ate all of the bread, because Cuba.
These were all very mindful and delicious compromises I felt really good about. My intention and heart were in the right place, and that’s all that matters.
Munching on my daily medicine on a local bus in Ecuador
Eat Fresh Fruit Everyday
Fruit is now your daily dose of medicine. Luckily for us, fruit is universal and found in most places of the world.
I swear to you, I specifically travel to countries that have an abundance of tropical fruits. There is nothing more divine than sinking your teeth into a juicy, ripe, locally grown tropical fruit. I mean, have you had pineapple in Costa Rica?!
Although on the protocol you will probably avoid a lot of meat and dairy loaded traditional dishes, this is your chance to redefine “local eats.” I mean, does it get anymore local than eating in-season, fresh fruit straight from the local land!?
I always buy tea when I first arrive and carry it with me
Bring Your Own Snacks
But don’t go crazy.
Don’t fill up a carry-on with snacks (unless you like to travel heavy). Also, it’s not necessary. The best snacks are fresh fruits and again, they’re everywhere.
I recommend bringing one kind of snack with you. My go-to are Lara Bars (yep, they’re MM approved!). I usually bring one for each day of the trip and end up eating them all. I purchase local fruit once I arrive as an additional snack. My day bag always has a Lara bar, some fruit and water. Good to go!
I wonder how much the celery is here ; p
Bring Some Supplements
Keyword: some. Again, no need to go crazy. I only bring Ester-c when I travel. Mainly because I am a very, VERY light traveler. I also don’t like to carry tinctures because liquids add weight and I backpack. So for me, less is always best.
Similar to the non-negotioables above, pick your 1-3 supplements you absolutely cannot live without and then just go and live.
A vegan cafe in San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala.
Check Trip Advisor
Do this before you even leave the house and have your restaurant list ready. Searching “vegan restaurants” in the location you’re visiting is usually always a safe and healthy bet. I trust vegan cafes abroad as they tend to be a little more conscious about the quality of food than your typical tourist spots. I also search for a local juice bar and if I’m lucky, I’ll score one near me. Sometimes you score. Sometimes you just drink lemon water. Either way, you win!
A little travel tip:
ALWAYS ask for lemon with your water. Sip on lemon water throughout your trip for extra hydration and to help prevent an upset tummy.
The best papayas in the world can be found in Guatemala
Let. It. GOOOOOOOOOO.
“Wait! What about celery juice?”
What about it? I don’t know about you, but I’m trying to enjoy myself and not stress out about first-world problems like where I’m going to find celery juice.
Honestly, I don’t worry about this. If I find a juice bar where I’m at, great. If I don’t, great. Again, water and lemon are always accessible and that is good enough for me for a few days.
I arrive to my destination armored with all of the above, but then I let it go. Sometimes you have to let it go so that you can be in the moment and experience what the destination is trying to gift you.
Like that time Cuba gifted me a REAL egg and dairy-filled homemade cake that my tio lovingly baked for me. Or when Ecuador gifted me a REAL cheese pizza because my sister wanted pizza and I’m not going to make her walk all over town at 8 o’clock to find me a gluten-free crust. So much for non-negotioables ; ).
At the end of the day, whatever you lack in the protocol during your trip, you will make up for it with your soul-supporting adventures. Travel will feed your soul in ways food never can. And when we feed the soul, we nourish the mind, body and spirit!
You’ll be home before you know it, back to your routine, back to your blender, back to your daily celery juice grind. Your protocol isn’t going anywhere. You have your life to be on protocol. What’s the rush?
Slow down. Do your best. Get clear on your intentions. TRAVEL! And allow Life to support you. Sometimes that support comes in the routine of green juice. Sometimes it comes in the spontaneity of meringue covered cake. Either way, it’s all good! Life loves you and will do whatever She can to make sure you’re happy, healthy and whole. Trust Her. And take that trip she so desperately wants you to take.
Letting go (and eating cake) in Cuba
