Eating out.

Nikki2018mfp
Nikki2018mfp Posts: 6 Member
edited November 28 in Food and Nutrition
How do I find n track food when I’m eating out. My husband taking me out tomorrow night for our anniversary and I’m panicking abit in the food as I so want to try to keep within my cals x. Thanks

Replies

  • shaf238
    shaf238 Posts: 4,022 Member
    Check the restaurant website for calorie information and pick your meal in advance (if you can). If not, you'll have to eyeball and guess the calorie amount of whatever it is you decide to eat.

    Don't worry about going a little over, you can always make up for it over the next few days. Make sure you enjoy yourself!
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    edited September 2018
    Just enjoy the treat :smile: Its one meal.
    You could eat light earlier in the day and save some calories but personally, I would just go and enjoy the evening :smile: Losing weight happens when we are consistent most of the time so a one off meal wont derail any progress.
    I also usually forego the appetiser or share it, same goes for dessert, either share it or just have a coffee. Sharing halves the calories :smiley:
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Nikki2018mfp wrote: »
    How do I find n track food when I’m eating out. My husband taking me out tomorrow night for our anniversary and I’m panicking abit in the food as I so want to try to keep within my cals x. Thanks

    a larger than normal meal is easy to fit into your weekly calories, save a few today and a few on Wednesday and do a little extra exercise.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    One day of overeating is not going to derail your progress unless you let it turn into multiple days of overeating. One large meal may cause the scale to go up a little due to undigested food and/or water fluctuation, but is not going to affect your weight loss long term.

    Find the closest database entry, estimate high for restaurant food, log it, and move on. Enjoy your special occasion rather than letting it be stressful.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    Honestly when I go out I just get what I want and don’t worry about the calories. I just try to be mindful of my hunger and quit eating before I’m stuffed. I don’t eat out too much so it’s not a huge deal. In the past anytime I’ve picked out things at restaurants that fit my calorie goal, I always end up still hungry. Restaurants add a lot of cheese and butter etc that add so many calories I think. So it’s hard to eat a reasonable amount of calories and be satisfied. For me anyway.
  • elsie6hickman
    elsie6hickman Posts: 3,864 Member
    Normally, when I got out, I just get a salad with grilled chicken and ask for the dressing on the side. However, on an occasion like your anniversary, just relax and have a nice meal and don't stress about the calories. You can always ask for any sauces on the side and share an appetizer and dessert. But if that seems weird, just go ahead and enjoy and track as best you can.
    My husband gets a craving sometimes for prime rib. So we go out and he has it, but brings half of it home for either another meal, or to share with our dogs.
  • gallicinvasion
    gallicinvasion Posts: 1,015 Member
    1. Check the menu beforehand, and find something you love.
    2. If you feel comfortable going over your deficit calories for the day, go for it! Enjoy! Log it the best you can, and just pick up your regular plan the next day.
    3. If you'd prefer to keep it reasonable, change your MFP goal to "maintenance" so you have more calories for the day to play with. Eating at maintenance for one day is easy and though it will cause weight fluctuations due to sodium/water weight for a few days, it's not going to hurt you in the large scheme of things.

    If you want to stay within your deficit calories:
    1. If you think it's got more calories or an excess of a macro that doesn't fit into your plan, ask for a box right away and pack away half of it.
    2. If you think it will fit into your calories, estimate the best you can (if you usually measure things with a food scale at home, you'll get better at this over time.) I like to eat slightly lighter at my other meals on those days.
    3. Don't forget about cooking oil and marinades when you're estimating.

    You're going to have special occasions and parties throughout your life! It's good to have a plan in place.
  • competeagain
    competeagain Posts: 770 Member
    What if you just ate half of it?
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