Eating Out Sucks

Panini911
Panini911 Posts: 2,325 Member
edited November 2018 in Food and Nutrition
Went out with family and ended up at The Keg. I didn't think much of it assuming i could find SOMETHING under 700 calories. But there was 1 option that really is not something i enjoy eating (cold appetizer shrimp or appetizer cold tuna taco - i hate cold fish). Even the salads were around that or more WITHOUT protein.

Just frustrating. Glad they have calories on the menus but I long for the day when i don't have to eat a house salad dressing on the side when I go out.

I went over what I wanted but got a decent meal of tuna and vegatables. I skipped the cauliflower rice as I hear those usually have tons of added fat to make them more pleasing to customers to cut a few calories.

The main issue is this wasn't the first meal out that week. The day before i'd gone out on a celebratory meal and splurged. And we just went thru halloween which had a few "oops" moments. ..
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Replies

  • smolmaus
    smolmaus Posts: 442 Member
    Think everyone has weeks like that. For me it balances out with weeks (and months sometimes) where you end up eating at home all the time because there's no real occasion worth going out for.

    If I do go out I look at it like yes, I would like to not blow all calorie budgets for the week but I'm also going to make sure I get something I will enjoy that's gluten free, and get my money's worth. Nothing winds me up more than paying good money and calories for something bland I could have made at home. It's a good few things to balance out but obsessive menu-checking usually helps me out a lot.
  • Panini911
    Panini911 Posts: 2,325 Member
    edited November 2018
    if it`s one day I don`t care. but like i said it wasn`t the only meal out and it wasn`t meant ot be a splurge meal (I was careful).

    just annoying there are few reasonable options that taste good. it`s not like my maintenance is going to be much higher than my slow weight loss rate of .05.

    Finding something that is good to eat and under 800 cals in many restaurants is just hard and that sucks. It sucks to have to pick the "least gross option" because you don`t want to blow 1000 calories on that meal.
  • Panini911
    Panini911 Posts: 2,325 Member
    edited November 2018
    smolmaus wrote: »
    Think everyone has weeks like that. For me it balances out with weeks (and months sometimes) where you end up eating at home all the time because there's no real occasion worth going out for.

    If I do go out I look at it like yes, I would like to not blow all calorie budgets for the week but I'm also going to make sure I get something I will enjoy that's gluten free, and get my money's worth. Nothing winds me up more than paying good money and calories for something bland I could have made at home. It's a good few things to balance out but obsessive menu-checking usually helps me out a lot.

    Urgh i once paid $18 for the most awful very boring salad as i didn`t want to blow 600 calories on a random lunch (I hate salads!)

    And yes I did take days where I pick a restaurant i love and a meal I love and just ENJOY IT. Done it recently to satisfy my craving for Hawaiin pizza, fish and chips and this saturday a full on terribly fatty brunhc. I do that.

    This is for the random "out with friends/family at a place with fewer option or for the 2-3 time that week and not wanting to splurge AGAIN and AGAIN).
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    Part of it is portion size in restaurants. If you want something higher calorie maybe split it with someone or only eat half.

    I have not really struggled to find foods I like that fit my normal goals at most restaurants. Some are more challenging.
  • foreverhealthy3
    foreverhealthy3 Posts: 111 Member
    I Iive in a small rural town; and my idea of a better food selection is probably only 'hard shell taco' crumble it on the plate as a salad. such fun with no choices; but, I have often thought about ordering something that is suitable to save for next day; and ask for a 'doggie box' right away with meal so, half gets taken home; might give me more options.
  • amy19355
    amy19355 Posts: 805 Member
    eating out is sure a challenge but many places can cooperate with some custom requests that don't disrupt the busy kitchen workflow. I can usually manage to get a pretty nutritious meal, and a take-out box for larger portions.

    basically, it's a variation of Sally's style (from the movie When Harry Met Sally)
    examples:
    - order a sandwich, hold the bread. (one of my fave places hollers out "pita, no pita" for their special)
    - salad, everything possible 'on the side'. especially the dressing. (rarely eat dressing; i like my veggies naked)
    - veggies and /or fish steamed or grilled without added oil/fats/butter (or 'on the side')

    When I started measuring olive oil and seeing how far a teaspoon will go, I am eager to have control over what the restaurants want to give me.

    maybe this will help.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Steak or prime rib is the best choice at the Keg. Ignore the table bread and take half your meal home.

    Now, having said that, when I go to the Keg I plan ahead for a week. I split the prime rib with my wife, but I eat half the table bread, half the shrimp cocktail, half the bacon wrapped scallops and half the twice baked potato. Plus wine.

    I don't do this very often though. Maybe once every 3 months.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Panini911 wrote: »
    smolmaus wrote: »
    Think everyone has weeks like that. For me it balances out with weeks (and months sometimes) where you end up eating at home all the time because there's no real occasion worth going out for.

    If I do go out I look at it like yes, I would like to not blow all calorie budgets for the week but I'm also going to make sure I get something I will enjoy that's gluten free, and get my money's worth. Nothing winds me up more than paying good money and calories for something bland I could have made at home. It's a good few things to balance out but obsessive menu-checking usually helps me out a lot.

    Urgh i once paid $18 for the most awful very boring salad as i didn`t want to blow 600 calories on a random lunch (I hate salads!)

    And yes I did take days where I pick a restaurant i love and a meal I love and just ENJOY IT. Done it recently to satisfy my craving for Hawaiin pizza, fish and chips and this saturday a full on terribly fatty brunhc. I do that.

    This is for the random "out with friends/family at a place with fewer option or for the 2-3 time that week and not wanting to splurge AGAIN and AGAIN).

    If I knew i was eating out 3 x in a week I'd call it maintenance unless I had loads of spare time to get some exercise cals!
  • Panini911
    Panini911 Posts: 2,325 Member
    edited November 2018
    cmriverside wrote: »
    I have to admit I don't really understand this thread, or others like it.

    If you are going out to eat, 800-1000 calories isn't a bad deal - that's the size/amount of my dinners at home. Also, you don't have to eat an entree every time you wind up at a restaurant. I've gotten a burger patty or chicken breast with tomato slices more than one time in a restaurant. I worked in restaurants for years. If they have something in the kitchen they can put it on a plate in any portion you want. Just ask.

    With that said, I have been in restaurants and just had a cup of soup when I wasn't hungry. It's not like you are paying for the seat. Iced tea and a side salad with a cup of soup or half a sandwich is always a reasonable choice.

    I eat 1450 calories a day. Breakfast was 300, lunch 350. one snack so I don't become a snarling *kitten* by dinner (100 cals). this left 700 for dinner total (normal dinners are under 400 calories as I need to snack over the day). Like I said this wasn't a splurge meal which I had had the day before. There was no soup or sandwhiches. salads had no protein and regardless i hate salads so going for that is really just eating boring food for $$$. There were very very very few options under 800 calories.

    i don't do entres and unless i am having an alcoholic drink don't drink calories. (and that is only done here and there)

    And yes I did ad hoc order plain fish with veggies and no starch for $40
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    Steak or prime rib is the best choice at the Keg. Ignore the table bread and take half your meal home.

    Now, having said that, when I go to the Keg I plan ahead for a week. I split the prime rib with my wife, but I eat half the table bread, half the shrimp cocktail, half the bacon wrapped scallops and half the twice baked potato. Plus wine.

    I don't do this very often though. Maybe once every 3 months.

    haha we ended up there randomly. and i had gone out for a splurgy brunch the day before
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Eating out regularly is just something my wife and I had to change as part of leading a healthier lifestyle...especially with New Mexican food which always comes in large portions and everything is covered in cheese. It's an every once in awhile thing these days. We actually enjoy dining out more now that it is an occasion kind of thing...it's just more special.

    We have next Monday off for Veterans Day but the kid's have school...so we're going out for a nice bike ride together (probably 20 miles provided the weather holds) and then to M'tucci's for a nice Italian lunch.
  • CindyJNC1963
    CindyJNC1963 Posts: 895 Member
    It is frustrating going out to eat sometimes. I went out with a friend last week and ended up getting salmon cakes...but they had some kind of hot spice in them so I didn't think they were very good. The collard greens that came with it were almost uncooked with no flavoring. I forced myself to eat a bit of them because of the health benefits of green veggies....but not a tasty meal at all. This is a restaurant I used to enjoy going to....but in the past I would get things like country fried steak and mashed potatoes. I need to find healthier options of restaurants because that particular one is a no go for me now.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    cmriverside wrote: »
    Panini911 wrote: »
    cmriverside wrote: »
    I have to admit I don't really understand this thread, or others like it.

    If you are going out to eat, 800-1000 calories isn't a bad deal - that's the size/amount of my dinners at home. Also, you don't have to eat an entree every time you wind up at a restaurant. I've gotten a burger patty or chicken breast with tomato slices more than one time in a restaurant. I worked in restaurants for years. If they have something in the kitchen they can put it on a plate in any portion you want. Just ask.

    With that said, I have been in restaurants and just had a cup of soup when I wasn't hungry. It's not like you are paying for the seat. Iced tea and a side salad with a cup of soup or half a sandwich is always a reasonable choice.

    I eat 1450 calories a day. Breakfast was 300, lunch 350. one snack so I don't become a snarling *kitten* by dinner (100 cals). this left 700 for dinner total (normal dinners are under 400 calories as I need to snack over the day). Like I said this wasn't a splurge meal which I had had the day before. There was no soup or sandwhiches. salads had no protein and regardless i hate salads so going for that is really just eating boring food for $$$. There were very very very few options under 800 calories.

    i don't do entres and unless i am having an alcoholic drink don't drink calories. (and that is only done here and there)

    And yes I did ad hoc order plain fish with veggies and no starch for $40
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    Steak or prime rib is the best choice at the Keg. Ignore the table bread and take half your meal home.

    Now, having said that, when I go to the Keg I plan ahead for a week. I split the prime rib with my wife, but I eat half the table bread, half the shrimp cocktail, half the bacon wrapped scallops and half the twice baked potato. Plus wine.

    I don't do this very often though. Maybe once every 3 months.

    haha we ended up there randomly. and i had gone out for a splurgy brunch the day before

    So, you just wanted to rant and complain?

    Alrighty then. Carry on. We were trying to give you solutions but that's not what you wanted?

    :flowerforyou:

    You know. Nowhere in the OP is there a single question. I see no issue with someone posting to rant and complain.

    It's fine with me.

    ::shrug::
  • COGypsy
    COGypsy Posts: 1,352 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    We have next Monday off for Veterans Day but the kid's have school...so we're going out for a nice bike ride together (probably 20 miles provided the weather holds) and then to M'tucci's for a nice Italian lunch.

    I think that's a terrible plan @cwolfman13 :D

    You should take the bike ride, but have lunch at El Pinto instead. Order the tostadas compuestas and then come back here and write up a detailed food porn post about the glory of it all. Consider it a public service for the transplants that miss all the good Griggs recipes!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    COGypsy wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    We have next Monday off for Veterans Day but the kid's have school...so we're going out for a nice bike ride together (probably 20 miles provided the weather holds) and then to M'tucci's for a nice Italian lunch.

    I think that's a terrible plan @cwolfman13 :D

    You should take the bike ride, but have lunch at El Pinto instead. Order the tostadas compuestas and then come back here and write up a detailed food porn post about the glory of it all. Consider it a public service for the transplants that miss all the good Griggs recipes!

    I prefer Casa de Benevidez personally...we might do that if I decide to make lasagna over the weekend and get my Italian fix.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Panini911 wrote: »
    cmriverside wrote: »
    I have to admit I don't really understand this thread, or others like it.

    If you are going out to eat, 800-1000 calories isn't a bad deal - that's the size/amount of my dinners at home. Also, you don't have to eat an entree every time you wind up at a restaurant. I've gotten a burger patty or chicken breast with tomato slices more than one time in a restaurant. I worked in restaurants for years. If they have something in the kitchen they can put it on a plate in any portion you want. Just ask.

    With that said, I have been in restaurants and just had a cup of soup when I wasn't hungry. It's not like you are paying for the seat. Iced tea and a side salad with a cup of soup or half a sandwich is always a reasonable choice.

    I eat 1450 calories a day. Breakfast was 300, lunch 350. one snack so I don't become a snarling *kitten* by dinner (100 cals). this left 700 for dinner total (normal dinners are under 400 calories as I need to snack over the day). Like I said this wasn't a splurge meal which I had had the day before. There was no soup or sandwhiches. salads had no protein and regardless i hate salads so going for that is really just eating boring food for $$$. There were very very very few options under 800 calories.

    i don't do entres and unless i am having an alcoholic drink don't drink calories. (and that is only done here and there)

    And yes I did ad hoc order plain fish with veggies and no starch for $40
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    Steak or prime rib is the best choice at the Keg. Ignore the table bread and take half your meal home.

    Now, having said that, when I go to the Keg I plan ahead for a week. I split the prime rib with my wife, but I eat half the table bread, half the shrimp cocktail, half the bacon wrapped scallops and half the twice baked potato. Plus wine.

    I don't do this very often though. Maybe once every 3 months.

    haha we ended up there randomly. and i had gone out for a splurgy brunch the day before

    I usually try to make sure I exercise on days I know I'm going to be eating out, for extra calorie buffer. I also bank calories for special meals when they are planned.

    Lost the weight I set out to lose and 4+ years into maintenance, all while eating out 1-2x a week. Sometimes fast casual, sometimes pizza or family friendly places, sometimes fine dining. You just figure out how to fit it in, or you stop doing it if you can't make it work.
  • Lift_Run_Eat
    Lift_Run_Eat Posts: 986 Member
    I am not familiar with The Keg, but just looked it up online. That place actually looks like you could get a decent meal. The Pistachio Salmon for one was under 600 calories. (That would have been my choice... or asked them to hold the pistachio and grill the salmon. )
    Don't be afraid to ask for substitutions, add-ons or cooked differently.

    Last night I went to an Italian restaurant. I got the salmon, had them hold the pasta, double serving of veggies, and an extra chicken breast to meet my macros. (Did not even touch the bread or dipping oil sitting on the table). I make it work for me.. not for them.

    Definitely hold any sauces, butters, creams, etc. Those calories will add up quick.
    I have also been known to bring my own food into fast food places that others are eating at. I might get dirty looks, but no one has said anything to me yet.
  • bemyyfriend0918
    bemyyfriend0918 Posts: 241 Member
    Panini911 wrote: »
    Went out with family and ended up at The Keg. I didn't think much of it assuming i could find SOMETHING under 700 calories. But there was 1 option that really is not something i enjoy eating (cold appetizer shrimp or appetizer cold tuna taco - i hate cold fish). Even the salads were around that or more WITHOUT protein.

    Just frustrating. Glad they have calories on the menus but I long for the day when i don't have to eat a house salad dressing on the side when I go out.

    I went over what I wanted but got a decent meal of tuna and vegatables. I skipped the cauliflower rice as I hear those usually have tons of added fat to make them more pleasing to customers to cut a few calories.

    The main issue is this wasn't the first meal out that week. The day before i'd gone out on a celebratory meal and splurged. And we just went thru halloween which had a few "oops" moments. ..

    I go out to eat quite often. I always do my best to research the calories ahead of time and have a game plan. If I need to eat a smaller lunch and breakfast for the sake of getting what I want at a restaurant, then I do that. For example, many times on Friday nights I know I'm going out, so I usually have just coffee for breakfast and a small apple or something for lunch. I manage just fine. Then I can have my 1400 calorie meal at dinner time and get the burger I had my eye on, while still being under my calorie goals!

    If I'm going out for dinner but didn't plan ahead, I'll still order what I want but cut it in half, that way if the meal is 1500 calories, I'm really only eating 750. I don't often take the leftovers home though, don't wanna be tempted to eat the rest later.
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    I have less variety when I go out to eat (I'm a kosher vegetarian in a city where most kosher restaurants offer some variation of pizza, felafel, wraps/sandwiches and stirfry). My general go-tos are 1-2 slices of pizza with cheese and whatever non-fried/non-starchy veg options strike my fancy and/or vegetarian pepperoni (there's one kosher-certified brand in the supermarkets. I know the pizza place uses it, so I log it as '1 large cheese slice' plus however many slices of fake meat were on the slice) or shakshuka (poached egg in tomato sauce). Sometimes a roasted veggie and hummus wrap.

    We tried out a new Indian takeout place. I messaged their Facebook page ahead of time to ask what their lower calorie options were and whether they knew the calories. (They didn't know the calories, but they did confirm that lentil dal, channa masala, or their pepper and eggplant curry were their lower-cal options).

    I also generally try to get my exercise in before I go so I know how much extra I have to play with and eat less during the day.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    rhenry2424 wrote: »
    I am not familiar with The Keg, but just looked it up online. That place actually looks like you could get a decent meal. The Pistachio Salmon for one was under 600 calories. (That would have been my choice... or asked them to hold the pistachio and grill the salmon. )
    Don't be afraid to ask for substitutions, add-ons or cooked differently.

    Last night I went to an Italian restaurant. I got the salmon, had them hold the pasta, double serving of veggies, and an extra chicken breast to meet my macros. (Did not even touch the bread or dipping oil sitting on the table). I make it work for me.. not for them.

    Definitely hold any sauces, butters, creams, etc. Those calories will add up quick.
    I have also been known to bring my own food into fast food places that others are eating at. I might get dirty looks, but no one has said anything to me yet.

    ditto - if i found the right menu - a steak would have given me 350ish calories - which leaves anothern 300 for sides - i probably would have given myself some night out leeway - or saved some of the steak for the next day
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    Ooh, haven't been to the Keg for years. They just couldn't cook a good steak.

    We went for a birthday party once and my steak got returned 3 times. By the time a correctly cooked one appeared I had been stuffed in the truck in an alcohol haze (legless).

    If I had to go to the Keg I would probably just get a salad with dressing on the side, and since they do a cold prawn dish, would ask if I could get a dozen grilled prawns to accompany it.
    The above is actually one of my favourite meals so would find no hardship eating it.

    My personal rant would come if I felt obliged by a special occasion to go to a 'dry' restaurant where the majority of the food was deep fried.

    Deep fried, except for fish and chips (maybe a couple of other things too but can't think of them), just doesn't appeal to my palette, nothing wrong with it.

    Cheers, h.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    middlehaitch wrote: »
    Ooh, haven't been to the Keg for years. They just couldn't cook a good steak.

    The one here does a real good steak, but I like their prime rib better. Like I say, I don't go out often, mostly because my wife has so many food issues. But when we do go out, the Keg is one place she can get a meal that doesn't upset her.


  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    middlehaitch wrote: »
    Ooh, haven't been to the Keg for years. They just couldn't cook a good steak.

    The one here does a real good steak, but I like their prime rib better. Like I say, I don't go out often, mostly because my wife has so many food issues. But when we do go out, the Keg is one place she can get a meal that doesn't upset her.


    It probably does depend on the individual Keg franchise, we have 2-3. But after a few problems with the meals, that one where I was stuffed in the truck was the one that broke the camels back.

    Same for White Spot. SO used to like there for breakfast when we were travelling. We had to give it up after 2x my upset tummy delayed us.

    I am known as the bad meal queen BTW. If something is going to go wrong, it is usually my meal.

    Cheers, h.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    middlehaitch wrote: »
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    middlehaitch wrote: »
    Ooh, haven't been to the Keg for years. They just couldn't cook a good steak.

    The one here does a real good steak, but I like their prime rib better. Like I say, I don't go out often, mostly because my wife has so many food issues. But when we do go out, the Keg is one place she can get a meal that doesn't upset her.


    It probably does depend on the individual Keg franchise, we have 2-3. But after a few problems with the meals, that one where I was stuffed in the truck was the one that broke the camels back.

    Same for White Spot. SO used to like there for breakfast when we were travelling. We had to give it up after 2x my upset tummy delayed us.

    I am known as the bad meal queen BTW. If something is going to go wrong, it is usually my meal.

    Cheers, h.

    I miss going to the White Spot Triple O's for a bacon cheddar burger and fries. Again, the one nearest me is good. I used to go once a week or so.

    Who says dieting doesn't suck :(
  • Panini911
    Panini911 Posts: 2,325 Member
    cmriverside wrote: »

    So, you just wanted to rant and complain?

    Alrighty then. Carry on. We were trying to give you solutions but that's not what you wanted?

    :flowerforyou:

    yes this was a rant. i know the solutions and looking thru a menu, i looked thru them at this restaurant and was extremely disappointed at the options. why do I always have to eat the crap food to make the smart choice?
  • Panini911
    Panini911 Posts: 2,325 Member
    edited November 2018
    the pistachio salmon is over 1000 calories?
    https://www.kegsteakhouse.com/#!/menu-detail/?id=16253&parent=5/#siteContent

    yes it came down to the small steak with veggies or the fish. i opted for the fish. some of the options on the online menu were not on the menu in teh restaurant.

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