AT HOME: Perfect! EATING OUT: Weight Gains :(

getup25

SherryTeach wrote: »

I nearly always ask for a to-go box to arrive with my meal and then I put at least half of my food in it, spreading the rest out on my plate. The bonus is that I have a nice-looking (and not picked through) lunch the next day.

I do the same thing. I also try to find the nutritional information before I go so I know what to order.

zdyb23456

A few things that helped me - I try to limit the number of times we go out. I always order water or diet soda. I avoid creamy, mayonaise-y, rich foods, and usually skip pasta. I'm a fan of a good burger or a good steak. And I love sushi and authentic sichuan Chinese food.

At potlucks/parties where there's food I try to really be critical of my selections - it has to look/be really appealing to me otherwise it's just not worth the calories to me. I used to load my plate up to try a bit of everything and usually go back for seconds for the items I really liked. Now, I'm very selective the first trip and try to hold out as long as possible before going for any seconds... usually by then all the good stuff is gone and it's easy to stop

kshama2001

When I know I'm going out, I eat lightly earlier in the day and get in extra exercise.

Like other people have said, many chain restaurants have nutritional info and you can look at the menu and plan ahead.

I can't remember the last time I've finished a whole entrée- I plan to bring half home. My fiancé and I split a salad and entrée when we eat out before a movie or otherwise are not going straight home and can't leave food in the car.

Good luck!

faithyang

I sometimes get into really hectic periods where I have literally, and I mean literally, eaten out, every single day, sometimes twice a day. This includes times where I have had to travel and really don't have the time to follow those youtube video (though I appreciate the effort they put in!) type gurus who would bring a personal blender and a suitcase full of pre-packed vacuum packed pre-portioned ingredients to make healthy smoothies and what not.

On normal weeks I eat out every weekend for all my meals because 1. I enjoy eating out with friends and family as part of a day out. 2. It gives me a break from cooking at home. 3. I can't be bothered to spend 2 hours during my weekend making truffled chocolate ganache glazed mousse or put together artisan sourdough bread with 63 degree coddled egg with shaved parmesan, smashed avocado, maple glazed bacon etc etc. I'd rather enjoy that time with loved ones.

US has massive, massive, massive portions (if you're in the US) and rule of thumb when eating out there I developed was:

- If you're heading out to a party, drink a fibre drink and an additional glass of water beforehand. The fibre will keep you comfortably somewhat filled so you don't attack the canapes, fried foods and dessert table like a werewolf possessed, and it stays there for longer than just water alone.
- Ask for a half serve.
- Order an appetiser rather than an entree (I didn't know entree was a main in the US and got the shock of my life when a plate bigger than the size of my head was sat in front of me when I expected a normal portion)
- Order a main, and share. If you order dessert, share it. You don't need a red velvet cake the size of a roman pillar to satisfy you.
- If you're eating out many meals in succession, don't order a deep-fried bbq smothered baby back ribs with double fried fries with full fat mayo for one meal PLUS dessert and expect to maintain/lose weight! Portion sizes there mean that a single plate of pasta can be DOUBLE YOUR DAILY CALORIE REQUIREMENTS.
- Try to substitute sides of mains (like fries) with grilled veggies, steamed anything. It tastes better anyway.
- Avoid creamy or cream-based sauces like the plague unless you're at a fancy fine-dining/really good quality restaurant, then its worth the calories. (hey something's gotta give)
- Eat your calories, don't drink it. For alcohol: The point of alcohol shouldn't be to get smashed. It should be for enjoyment, so moderation!
- Put your fork down more, talk more! Social outings are for mingling anyway, so make it a point to not talk while eating. When talking, have your fork down, and always have a glass of water by the table so you can drink in between forkfuls. The body can't tell straight away that its full most times, I remember it being 20 min before it sends full signals. By the time you are chatting and enjoying yourself you find that the plate of food in front of you doesn't have to be licked clean because you're pretty full. Doggy bag it and bring it home for another day.


I found the best way to not overthink things tbh if you want to screw the above guidelines is just to share with a friend. The portions in most restaurants are ridiculously oversized anyway, so just half it with a friend, grab two desserts and share with a bunch of friends.

If you've eaten too much over the weekend, just eat healthy over the weekdays. Replace a meat day with a veggie day. Have a big bowl of salad and keep your mains smaller. If I have a big Sunday out I'm usually too stuffed on Monday to have anything too complex - I'll stick to a healthy morning of plain greek yoghurt with some fruit, maybe have a clean vegetable soup and a serve of salad for the other meals, and drink big mugs of green tea because I love green tea.

Mr_Knight

There's no rule saying all your activities with family/friends have to involve utensils. Instead of going out for a meal, pack a picnic and go out for a walk/hike.

faithyang

Mr_Knight wrote: »

There's no rule saying all your activities with family/friends have to involve utensils. Instead of going out for a meal, pack a picnic and go out for a walk/hike.

Hey that's a good idea too!

pineapple_peach10

ndj1979 wrote: »

not trying to be snarky but the answer is the following:

1. eat less when you go out

or

2. eat less during the day and have your regular meal when you go out …

This is exactly what I do. I still get to have my meal out and stay in a deficit

atypicalsmith

TimothyFish wrote: »

Restaurant meals have about 1000 calories in them. Fast food does a little less than that. Just eat half of what they bring you and you'll do fine.

That's about right. But don't pack it up as a to-go meal; that might insult the people paying for the restaurant visit. When I'm in a situation where I have to eat out, I order half a salad, if that's on their menu. If it's not, I ask if they will accommodate me, and they usually will. If anyone lifts their eyebrows at me, I just tell them I can't eat any more than that, and I don't want to waste their money. Everyone respects that. And only use fat-free dressing.

Is it the food or the company that's enjoyable for you? I am quite satisfied and happy with half a salad with fat-free dressing. But if that doesn't float your boat, and you like to eat rich and fattening foods with your family, then accept that you will probably always be overweight. Another alternative is to start doing 360 minutes of exercise every day on the elliptical.

Machka9

tomatoey wrote: »

Mistraal1981 wrote: »

An alternative not yet mentioned is to not have your social gatherings centre around food. Go bowling or go play pool for example.

I think this is unrealistic. People and food just go together.

Not at all.

When I was in my early 20s, my then-husband and I visited another couple for dinner. I was already used to the idea of going to someone's house for dinner, and then sitting around the living room chatting or maybe occasionally playing games.

But this couple was different. Both were fairly fit and active, and as we finished up dinner they turned to us and sais, "We always go for a walk in the evenings after dinner, grab your coats and let's go!" So off we went for a long walk!! We walked and chatted rather than sitting around a living room and chatting.

I thought it was great! What a wonderful idea!


Then, more recently (many years later) I did something similar to two different sets of friends who came to visit.


Personally, I think we need to get away from the idea of just people and food. I like Mr Knight's idea of packing a picnic and going for a walk/hike ... combining people and food with activity and the great outdoors.