Do you get freaked out about eating out?

rikkejanell2014

Or is it just me?. Its so stressful. I'm new. 13 days strong. 60 pounds to go. Sw207. Cw201.

mojo75

a little freaked and sometimes annoyed. looking at the menu you realize just how many calories you were taking in before you started to take notice.

PoisonDartFrog

Go somewhere that has farm to market foods (cooked in a healthy way) or check website for nutritional information before you go, so you can make a sensible decision. And I always eat lower calorie breakfast and lunch if I know I am eating dinner out (just so I am not crazy over calories)

JinjoJoey

I wouldn't care so much about eating out if the nutrition information they provided was actually accurate. The problem is, they're not weighing your fries, meats, breads and toppings... So you have no idea if what you're logging is even accurate, regardless of the info they provide. That guy at Taco Bell isn't measuring the meat, cheese and sauce he throws in your burrito, so that 400 calorie burrito could be 600 calories for all you know.

It's a major annoyance for me and I usually just avoid eating out, unless I can get a salad from somewhere. It's hard to get into caloric trouble with a salad, so long as you don't have them dump dressing all over it.

zyxst

JinjoJoey wrote: »

I wouldn't care so much about eating out if the nutrition information they provided was actually accurate. The problem is, they're not weighing your fries, meats, breads and toppings... So you have no idea if what you're logging is even accurate, regardless of the info they provide. That guy at Taco Bell isn't measuring the meat, cheese and sauce he throws in your burrito, so that 400 calorie burrito could be 600 calories for all you know.

It's a major annoyance for me and I usually just avoid eating out, unless I can get a salad from somewhere. It's hard to get into caloric trouble with a salad, so long as you don't have them dump dressing all over it.

That's why you should weigh your take-out. A lot of people don't and roll with it. I'm not afraid to whip out my scale and start weighing my food.

zyxst

When I started, I didn't eat out because I didn't know what to do. I went with lo-cal options which were never what I wanted to eat, so eating out became more stressful.

Best advice I have is to check nutritional info if you can (or use a chain place for Mom & Pop places). Split your meal in half and get a take-out box right away so the food's not sitting there begging you to eat it.

jemhh

No.

During the year it took me to lose 50 pounds, we ate out 3-4 times a week. Going out so often makes it less of a big deal and very easy to learn how to order to fit your calorie budget.

Skyblueyellow

Not stressful for me, to be honest. I just look at the menu beforehand and plan out my meal. No last minute decisions. Do a little extra cardio to give yourself a buffer.

MelissaPhippsFeagins

It's stressful for me because I have celiac disease and cross contamination is a real health concern. I usually end up with a grilled chicken salad, no croutons if I am not eating somewhere that I know the staff well. I stick to the restaurants where I know the staff most of the time.
I don't stress over portion sizes because my aunt owned a restaurant and my grandparents had a dairy farm. I've measured food for as long as I can remember. I know how much is on my plate and log it accordingly. Sometimes I take half for lunch the next day.
You can learn to eat out and stay within your calorie allowance. Give yourself time to learn and don't beat yourself up over mistakes.

Flapjack_Mollases

I just wish restaurants didn't feel like they had to salt/season/butter everything to within an inch of it's life.

nutmegoreo

No. I plan on eating in restaurants after I lose it all, so I want to learn how to work it in now.

VeganRaptor

Only when I was really deep into my eating disorder. I stick to healthy and tasty stuff now like sushi/donburi

crzycatlady1

jemhh wrote: »

No.

During the year it took me to lose 50 pounds, we ate out 3-4 times a week. Going out so often makes it less of a big deal and very easy to learn how to order to fit your calorie budget.

Yep, I eat out several times a week and had no problem losing 50lbs or maintaining the loss now for several years.

cityruss

No.

fidangul

crzycatlady1 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

No.

During the year it took me to lose 50 pounds, we ate out 3-4 times a week. Going out so often makes it less of a big deal and very easy to learn how to order to fit your calorie budget.

Yep, I eat out several times a week and had no problem losing 50lbs or maintaining the loss now for several years.

I'm the same. Only, I'm in my 7th month of maintenance but I do enjoy eating at restaurants or getting takeaways.

To OP, I would say that it's all part of the learning. Start the way you mean to go on, so incorporate takeaways into your "diet" if your plan isn't to completely stay away from it for the rest of your life.

Troutsy

Nope, I take a look at the menu before going out and make choices that fit my goals for the day. I've lost my first 40 pounds by eating out 2-3 times a week and had no issues losing.

Machka9

Do you get freaked out about eating out?

No.

fitoverfortymom

I did at first, the first few weeks. Then I made a plan of attack for every restaurant we frequent so I always have a go to meal within my calorie range. I do panic a little if I don't get input on the place, but have had luck with lunch portions of spaghetti or French onion soup and side salad.

MalkinMagic71

Nope.

I went to the pizza hut buffet tonight and stuffed my face. I enjoyed every bite and didn't think anything about it. Its one meal.

annette_15

I dont get freaked out, just annoyed knowing that I will either end up eating something really bland that I could have made at home much better for less calories, or end up eating WAY too many calories getting something tasty that I know I'll kick myself for afterwards. I just dont enjoy eating out anymore... I'm such a volume eater, that if I cant eat until I'm full, I dont feel satisfied, so Im not okay with just eating half of a meal or whatever.

ninerbuff

Nope. I revel in it. So here's a great rule of thumb. Eat no more than HALF of what your order. Bring the rest home for tomorrow or share it with SO or friend.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Lounmoun

Not freaked out.
I ate out 1 meal a week. I looked up nutritional info and planned in advance what I would order. I didn't have trouble finding something that was 500 calories or less most places. Regular burger, side salad with vinaigrette dressing, unsweetened iced tea for example. If the portions were large I would share with someone else or bring half home for the next day.
I'm not eating out now to just to save money.

One day, one meal doesn't doom you. Think about your choices and do your best.

TrishSeren

Sometimes, but I like to enjoy eating out so I try not to worry about it as one meal wouldn't make a huge difference.

rileysowner

I have in the past. I am much more laid back about it now.

leanjogreen18

I rarely freak out:).

It's just food. Pick something on the menu that would be fairly easy to guesstimate the calories. I always add 1/4 more of a portion just in case.

Aureilie

I don't freak out, but I do try my best to pre-plan my meal before I get to the restaurant or place a delivery order. Sometimes it's more spur of the moment and I have to do some calculations while the server is bringing the drink order but luckily MFP is easily accessible on my phone.

Chef_Barbell

No. I don't freak out over food. It's just food.

daz2270

Used to at first. Now I just assume 1 meal won't make or break anything. That said if I'm planning on splurging I will have smaller breakfast and lunch and try to fit some exercise in beforehand to balance it out.

whiskey5jda2008

Only if I can't find the dish I want in the Database

Cylphin60

We eat out or get take out pretty frequently. I try to log as accurately as possible, and there always seems to be something in the database that's somewhat close. My rule of thumb is if in doubt, don't eat it all. Leave myself just a bit hungry and take the rest home.

No regrets so far

paperpudding

No I do not.

But then I am a fan of estimating and lazy logging - works for me and bonus is meals of unknown calorie count dont freak me out, I just do my best guestimate