Restaurants and Fast Food

senennieves

i usually go to subway and get the double chicken chopped salad which is excelent, or any of their 6 grams of fat or less 6 inch subs, just make sure no mayo and i get bottled water, at mcdonalds i get grilled chicken southwest salad with low fat italian dressing, at wendys i get the grilled chicken sandwich no mayo and water.

cbelc2

I have tricks, standards, and routines developed over a long time. I drink water, unsweetened tea, or black coffee. I show my Palm and say, 'no bread please'. I look first for a lean protein, preferably vegetarian. Then I search for vegetables and fruits. I try to double the vegetables. If there is a small unsweetened whole grain option, I'll consider it. Sauces and dressings are ordered with a spoon. One spoonful and the napkin goes over the rest. My favorite breakfast place has a scrambled egg smothered in grilled vegetables. It comes with toast, which I substitute with a cup of plain oatmeal with skim milk. One of my favorite lunch places has quinoa salad and 2 veggie kabobs. It makes 2 meals, so I take half home. Another has a lovely tub of hummus (minus the pitas) and steamed vegetables, which they will double. I once went to a sports bar with burger - eating friends and ordered a naked veggie burger and a double order of grilled green beans. It was the envy of the table! I drank water. I'm always surprised how satisfied I feel after eating a healthy meal at a restaurant. At first I was put off by negative reactions and comments, but now I've collected a brain full of comical comments, head shaking, and eye rolling and it's become fun.

tcunbeliever

For me, I do best if I plan what I'm going to order before I get there and then stick to it. You can find things that fit your needs just about anywhere, but I find that if I don't plan ahead then I end up eating way too much because they always make it look tasty on the menu.

ktekc

We have a local diner around here that changes up their specials everyday. I love the different burgers they come up with and their sweet potato fries are awesome. I use red robins online burger builder to create what the burger was and use that to estimate the calories because they have a ton of options to build it with and the patties are the same size. The fries are hand cut and the portion is one medium sized potato. I can work with that.

butterfli7o

nossmf wrote: »

Simple rules for fast-food diet control:

1. Limit fried options
2. Limit high-cal sides (bread & potatoes especially)
3. Choose your drink wisely

This is pretty much what I follow when I eat out...I don't eat anything fried, don't drink all my calories, etc. But I don't automatically go for a salad either. I just try to make a wise choice.

jessiferrrb

i go for brunch a lot on sundays, if i know where i'm going i can figure out what i'll order in advance and i usually don't hold back. i go for a run before hand and consider it my main meal, and i make sure that whatever it is - even if it's benedict or tator tots - isn't going to put me over by planning out what i'll eat after as well.

kgirlhart

We eat out at least once a week and often have fast food. My tip is to decide what you want ahead of time. Lots of restaurants have their nutrition info available online. I decide what I will get before I go so that I know if it will fit into my goal. Last night we had McDonald's and I got a Big mac and small fries for 780 calories and was under my goal for the day. I usually get unsweetened tea or water instead of a soda. When I go out to restaurants I will usually get either a drink or an appetizer. I rarely get dessert at restaurants even before I started calorie counting, but if I wanted dessert I would skip a drink or appetizer. I do look at the lo-cal options on the menu and sometimes I get that but I usually get what I want. My husband doesn't like chicken, so for me grilled chicken has always been something I order out and don't make at home. We eat regularly at local restaurants that don't have the nutrition information available and I just look up information from a chain that is similar and use their information. So far this strategy is working for me.

wizzybeth

85Cardinals wrote: »

I like to get a big burger, diet coke, no fries. Usually around 600-700 calories, not so bad. I'm not buying salad at a fast food place, I can make salad at home.

I like to get salads at SOME places (Like Wendy's cause yum) simply BECAUSE I DON'T have to make it at home LOL!

wizzybeth

I do not like the mayo or kind of cheese that fast food restaurants use, so I typically will get a normal burger with tomato, lettuce, onion, ketchup. A quarter pounder without cheese, a small coke (hate diet soda) and small fries hits the spot for about 640 + another 150 for the coke. I will often have just water as well and save the 150 calories. It's a lot of calories for one meal, but when you want it, you want it. Sometimes a simple hamburger is enough and that's probably 210 calories less than the quarter pounder

richardgavel

If something you want has a bun, rather than discarding it for a lettuce wrap, toss the top half of the bun and go open face.

flash_cyanide

Protein style if you have an In-n-out!

donjtomasco

I love the Chik-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Colby Cheese and Bacon. I take off the top bun (whole wheat) and it is 440 cal with both buns. Their chicken is juicy. A large fountain water (they don't charge for) and you are out of there for $6-7. Under $5 if you get the grilled chicken without the colby cheese and bacon.

I like to go to a BBQ place and order a 1/2 chicken and a side of baked beans. Chicken is a little higher in calories but the overall meal is healthy and low in calories. If they have smoked turkey, I get a .5 # of smoked turkey and a side of baked beans. Less calories. Both very filling, healthy and cheap.

I have learned that bbq sauce and packets of ketchup are sneak up and bite you in the *kitten*, lots of sugar, sodium and calories. Amazing to learn that food actually tastes good without anything added to it if cooked correctly. It's hard to screw up smoking meat.

LisaKay91

I opt not to eat out lol I haven't eaten out since May 13... may not seem like a long time but I used to eat out at least 3x a week!! If I had to go somewhere I would get a meat free salad and no dressing.

Lounmoun

logandiekmann15 wrote: »

What are some good tips for eating out? What do you usually eat? What are some places that offer healthy options?

Look nutritional info up in advance for places you like to go. See what fits your goals. Get those things.
I will pair a regular burger with a side salad with a vinaigrette dressing and unsweetened iced tea as an example.
Split an item with someone else or save half for another meal if the portion size is big.
Most restaurants offer options I can fit in my usual calorie goal with some planning.

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vikinglander

I'm trying to stay as Paleo as possible without going too crazy with it - for instance, I will never give up my morning coffee with a couple tablespoons of halfnhalf - and I drive 45 miles each way to work everyday, so I usually buy breakfast on the way.

The most reliable meal I use is from McDonald's, believe it or not...two fresh eggs and two sausage patties is exactly 500 calories and leaves me totally satisfied until at least 10:30 or 11:00.

Chipotle has a salad option, so I have been lunching on a bed of shredded lettuce, fajita veggies, mild salsa, double portion of barbacoa, and guacamole...comes to around 518 calories according to their website; I used MFP to calculate the individual ingredients and I think I got 528 or so...close enough.

There is a rotisserie / pizza / gyro place near the office that is very accommodating. I get a huge house salad of mixed lettuces, chopped carrot-cucumber-green pepper, tomatoes, and about 6 oz. of grilled chicken, plus two Tbsp of Caesar dressing, comes to around 530 calories. They also do Romanian steak, sausages, fresh roast beef, pork loin...heaven!

I snack in between on nuts and Epic meat bars, raw veggies (dipped in spiced cashew butter...Yum!), and a .25 oz. piece of dark chocolate when I need something sweet.

There are low calorie and/or Paleo options at just about any restaurant, fast or otherwise. If the meal comes with rice, pasta or potatoes, ask for double veggies or a salad instead. In most Asian restaurants, I find that they are usually cooperative in serving me without the rice...a full plate of chicken, broccoli and water chetnuts in garlic sauce usually fills me pretty well!

Good luck everyone!

MsBuzzkillington

People need to be careful with getting salads when going places, unless it's a plain side salad, maybe loads of calories. A salad is not always the best option.

slinke2014

I don't eat fast food much anymore. Maybe once in the last year but we eat out at restaurants 2 or 3 times week. I always just try to keep it super light during the day to account for whatever delicious food I am going to eat!!! Then make a good guess on how much I ate and log it. Works perfect for me, slowly losing weight over 2 years.

PhoenixGT13

I do the following: ALWAYS eat where you can look up the calories on line in advance so you can plan what to have; ALWAYS drink water instead of soda or sweetened tea or a milkshake; NEVER eat dessert. If you do those 3 things you are already good. Then, choose something that is 500 calories or less -- or if it's more, don't eat it all, bring some of it home. If it's a burger or sandwich, don't eat all of the bun. Tomorrow night I'm going to a place that has lobster rolls (YUM) -- but I already went in and asked, and they are going to put the filling on lettuce instead of a bun! PLAN AHEAD and you will be fine, wherever you go. Try NOT to go somewhere that does not post their nutritional information, because if you guess, you will probably under-estimate what you're having.

VeganRaptor

I like to get some vegetable sushi Yum!

kgirlhart

PhoenixGT13 wrote: »

I do the following: ALWAYS eat where you can look up the calories on line in advance so you can plan what to have; ALWAYS drink water instead of soda or sweetened tea or a milkshake; NEVER eat dessert. If you do those 3 things you are already good. Then, choose something that is 500 calories or less -- or if it's more, don't eat it all, bring some of it home. If it's a burger or sandwich, don't eat all of the bun. Tomorrow night I'm going to a place that has lobster rolls (YUM) -- but I already went in and asked, and they are going to put the filling on lettuce instead of a bun! PLAN AHEAD and you will be fine, wherever you go. Try NOT to go somewhere that does not post their nutritional information, because if you guess, you will probably under-estimate what you're having.

I live in a small town. We have a couple of chain fast food places but our restaurants are all locally owned Mom and Pop places. It isn't always possible to eat at places that have their nutrition information available. I have always used entries from similar chain restaurants and it has worked well for me.