Tips for Eating Out

CrazyMermaid1
CrazyMermaid1 Posts: 370 Member
in Food and Nutrition

I just reread a sticky thread about how to eat out. I’ll add my tricks and hope others will follow me.

First I make sure I don’t enter the restaurant really hungry by eating one of the foods that fill me up. My go-to is oatmeal or protein powder (Muscle Milk).

Secondly because I eat out fairly frequently my go-to lunch or dinner is a house salad with grilled protein (salmon, shrimp or chicken usually) with dressing on the side. I can usually get this at any restaurant.

Thirdly I preplan my meals. What does everyone else do?

Replies

  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,562 Member

    skip the bread rolls/ garlic bread and the dessert.

    but I pick something I want to eat not a ' diet option'

    since I don't eat out that often,this is ok for me.

  • yakkystuff
    yakkystuff Posts: 1,981 Member

    It is infrequent, so I order a balanced meal, enjoy, don't track it and take extras home.

    Return to regular sized meal at the next meal and go forward from there.

  • SafariGalNYC
    SafariGalNYC Posts: 2,428 Member
    edited September 8

    i eat out 3-4 times per week..

    I portion control, if it’s a large serving I’ll ask for some of it to go and then I have leftovers the next day.

    I track it as best I can by deconstructing it and guesstimating..

    since I do eat out multiple times per week (work lunches and after work)… I do tend to order the healthier options.

    If someone wants a dessert.. typically it’s shared and it’s a few bites.. but it’s rare. My treats are usually a nice piece of fish or some oysters.

  • COGypsy
    COGypsy Posts: 1,475 Member

    I used to eat out probably 4-5 times a week and both lost and maintained weight during that time. My tricks were: check out the menu and decide what you want beforehand; eat half, take half home; no appetizers or desserts—1-2 bites/pieces if something is ordered for the table; and add/choose vegetables whenever possible.

    For me, the real key was deciding that since I ate out multiple times per week, dining out was not a special occasion. I often make the "right" choice even if it's less appealing in the moment. For example, I choose a side salad with minimal dressing instead of hot honey and sage fried brussels sprouts or steamed vegetables instead of sweet potato fries.

  • nossmf
    nossmf Posts: 15,551 Member

    Ask for any cheeses/sauces/gravies/dressings to be placed into a side dish you can dunk into rather than smothered across the top.

    Limit drinks to water, coffee or sugar-free tea. (This is not just for calories, but also cuts cost, and is probably for the best from a taste perspective since most places do not mix their soda syrup and seltzer to the proper ratios.)

    Get grilled or baked meats whenever possible rather than anything fried.

  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,562 Member

    Limit drinks to water, coffee or sugar-free tea.

    I get that you were only answering for yourself and that is what you do.

    But just adding to that - sugar free coke is available everywhere here and I usually order that as my drink.

    Followed by a cappacino at end of meal in lieu of dessert.

  • AdahPotatah2024
    AdahPotatah2024 Posts: 3,787 Member

    My #1 tip is to only eat at restaurants as a social thing, and order dishes that are difficult/ expensive to make at home…no takeout spahetti to eat alone in front of the tv for me!:D

    I eat simple, inexpensive mostly vegetarian at home and once per week have family dinner out where I might have a good meat dish, sushi, or Thai curry.

  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 10,269 Member

    I’m that weird person who loves salad. I always said, if I ever won the lottery, I’d hire someone to make me fresh salad (and slice watermelons for me! I adore watermelon but hate hate hate cutting one) every day.

    So my go to is usually an interesting menu salad, with two added servings of grilled chicken.

    There’s a Mexican restaurant here that does an outstanding mango chicken salad that’s my first menu choice.

    If a place doesn’t offer a salad, which is rare, I study the menu beforehand and select something that’s not saucy, doesn’t include pasta, and doesn’t include rice or “refried” beans. There’s usually something.

    My new thing when we travel is to enjoy a bagel or pastry for breakfast; pick something enjoyable off the menu for dinner, and have a large, high protein snack midafternoon.

    I’m finally getting over the compulsion to “sample” (ie, pig out on) all the local chocolate bars and packaged cookies.

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