Eating out
erinleigh1128
Posts: 7 Member
Where I work eating out has become a 5 day/week ritual. Chinese, Mexican, Chipotle, Bob Evans, Buffalo Wild Wings are all our go-to places to eat. Since I started a year ago I have put on 21 pounds!!!!!!! Does anyone have any eating out tips, yummy packed lunch ideas, or healthy snack ideas?
Thanks and advance!!
Thanks and advance!!
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Replies
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hum, don't eat out? Bring your lunch - it's the only way to "not get in trouble"!
I find it really difficult to "eat well" when out at a restaurant - plus - there is no portion control there!
Good luck!0 -
I am a snacker really so I pack lots of fruit and cut up veggies, cans of soup, etc for work each day. People who walk by lust think all I do is eat lol but it works for me. I still go out to eat occassionally with the group but I check the menu online to guide my choices before I go:)0
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The obvious answer seems: Don't go to those places and eat your own food instead. But I'm sure you would be doing that if it was an easy option. So, I guess my only advice would be to eat salad if it is available (no dressing or on the side so you can control how much) or if they don't offer that (I am British so don't have those restaurants and have no clue what they sell) find the least calorific thing on the menu of each (or closest to) and eat that. Failing that, only eat half of what is on your plate (if meal sizes are anything that they are portrayed to be over here).0
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My job is the same, they make a big deal out of everyone voting where they want to eat and then everyone sits in the conference room and eats together like a big family.
I just pack a lunch and bring it, everyone understands and they even commend me sometimes on my "strong will"
My go to foods for lunch are steam-able vegetables *microwavable* and precooked chicken that I marinade and grill at home.
Chinese *they have steamed vegetables and meat you can try that
Mexican *they have sandwiches or salads
Chipotle *burrito bowl with all the vegetables and grilled chicken
for Bob Evans, Buffalo Wild Wings just look at the menu I am sure they have healthy options0 -
I know how hard it is to resist going out to eat with people you work with--it's sort of expected to get that social time in!
Sometimes it's easy for me to skip by reminding myself that I'm saving money. If you know where you're going, take a look at the menu before you get too hungry and scope out some healthy items that you know will work for you in your non-ravenous state
Once you're there, sometimes it's hard to just go for a salad, and sometimes a salad is just as bad as anything else! Almost everywhere has a grilled chicken sandwich. As long as you don't get mayo or a ton of cheese on there, this can be a really filling and delicious option and you feel like you're having real food instead of diet food. If you can get them to add a ton of delicious low-call stuff on top like grilled onions and mushrooms it can feel even more like a treat. Skip the fries and get a side salad or fruit or veggies and steal a fry or two from a coworker if you just want the taste.
Good luck to you!!0 -
Just say NO. Plan ahead and bring your own lunch. Stop the ridiculousness.
Order out maybe once a month and when you do that, split a chinese order with another co-worker. So you only get half.0 -
I agree that it's hard to keep up when you eat out every day. I solved this problem by.. not eating out at work. We have a work cafeteria that's subsidized so really cheap, and the food is usually great but i always end up eating too much so i just don't go there. other options are salad/sandwich from the small coffee shop or options down the block (the usual pizza, falafel, burgers etc).
I save calories and money by preparing meals in advance and bringing from home - i maek a pile of chicken breast and freeze them, then add a fresh salad every day. that's my lunch. (sometimes i'll have a chunk of feta cheese, or tuna, etc.). for snacks i bring yogurt, rice cakes, low fat cream cheese, hummus, fruit etc0 -
Honestly, it's not easy to prepare food vs. being served at a restaurant.
My suggestion is to plan ahead. That's the only way I succeed in not faltering and taking the easy road out.
I never did like cooking much but I've made it a priority!
Veggies and protein with a piece of fruit thrown in
Treat yourself with a lunch out now and then but make sure it's in your calories for the day and plan around it so that you have "extra" during your outting.
It will make you feel good and proud of yourself if you make the effort also! Best of luck 0 -
Besides start packing, you'll save money and calories!!!!
All those place have healthy menu options BUT you have to choose them AND portion control is another issue that you have to watch. Just because it is a salad, doesn't mean it's healthy...got to watch what's on it and how much is there to eat.0 -
Disappointing thread title.0
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Bring your lunch. You'll save calories and money (SO much money). If you really miss it, maybe try eating in 4 days a week and going out on Fridays.
I bring leftovers for lunch because it's super easy and I'm super lazy. Sandwich wraps in low cal / high fiber wraps are my favorite when there are no leftovers.0 -
don't eat out,,, PERIOD!0
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don't eat out,,, PERIOD!
Ewwww...especially that0 -
My general game plan for eating out is one or a combo of the following
1. order off the kids menu
2. search nutrition online BEFORE you go
3. order but plan to take half the meal home for a 2nd meal
4. order something enjoyable but "less evil" (dressing on the side, whole grain, less fat)
But it is no wonder you have packed on pounds if this is a daily occurrence!
Maybe you can suggest another lunch plan as a $$ savings / health challenge...
our workplace tried to do a lunch exchange once a week - so you rotate who bring lunch for the group on that day.0 -
start brown bagging it. weight loss is that much more difficult when you eat out...you're much more likely to forgo practicing portion control or to make good dietary decisions when you eat out all of the time...as evidenced by your weight gain. if you do choose to continue to eat out you need to practice portion control and make better decisions about what you're ordering. Even then it can be tough...restaurants are in business to make food taste good...which means lots of added calories from butter and oils...sugar, etc. A restaurant version of something can be a lot more calorie dense than the pretty much same meal made at home where you have control over the ingredients.0
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If you know where you're ordering from or going before hand, most restaurants list their menus online nowadays, and some will have the nutritional information as well. Just educate yourself on the nutritional info for similiar food, like the amount of fat in a 1/4 burger, or the calories in 2 tablespoons of salad dressing, etc...
Most places are pretty accommodating with special orders. I love Red Robin, where I can wrap my burger in lettuce, and get brocolli or black beans as a side instead of french fries.0 -
Wowzers, 5x per week?!
My advice, DON"T EAT OUT!
If getting fit is your goal, then you need to pack your lunch. 70% of your fitness depends on your nutirition. Don't let other people's lack of dedication keep you from getting fit.
Stay away from those people! lol0 -
Disappointing thread title.
lol0 -
Go online and check their menu for any possible healthy alternative...and DON'T CHANGE YOUR MIND WHEN YOU GET THERE!!!! Know what you're going to get before you set foot in the door.
You don't always know the "truth" when you got out - for instance, the last company lunch I went to, I looked at the menu online...great - they had a grilled romaine heart topped with grilled chicken. YUM! And this restaurant doesn't allow any substitutes or changes, so it was pretty much the only thing I could get that wasn't slathered in some kind of sinful sauce or aioli...I asked the waiter how it was seasoned, just to be sure, and he said "oh, it's drizzled with a tiny bit of olive oil and the chicken is marinated in citrus." "So it's healthy and low cal." "Oh, totally!" Then when he brought it out, it had Parmesan cheese all over it. Oh, well...I tried to scrape it off and just stick to the chicken and the romaine heart!
You don't want to/have to be Debbie the Downer when it comes to doing lunch - just be smart about it. Order a salad with dressing on the side and START with that to help fill you up before the entree.
That being said, I hardly ever go out. I always bring all my food to work. Here's my lunch/snack box for today:
I won't eat all of this; I bring "choices" so I can snack on what I feel like...here my snacks are strawberries, pumpkin/cranberry crisps, 50 calorie whipped cream cheese, 80 calorie (with only 8 grams of sugar!) Greek yogurt, a banana, a 60 calorie string cheese, and asparagus. The other items are the fixins for my go-to turkey/black forest ham sandwich - avocado (instead of mayo), sprouts, red lettuce leaves, cucumbers, and 45 calorie Sara Lee whole wheat bread. Needless to say, I ain't starvin'!!!!0 -
Disappointing thread title.
though the same thing lol0 -
Yeah... stop eating out. its pretty simple0
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Share a meal with a friend (cuts down on costs too!). Order an appetizer (or side dishes) only. Bring your own food, eat it before you go to lunch and then just have a water at the restaurant. This way you can still have the socializing experience without the food.
I find that eating out is a really bad trigger for me. Portion sizes are too big and the salt content is out of control. I try to limit it as much as possible. Sharing a meal works really well for me and my best friend. Good luck to you!0 -
I like it.0
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Go out once a week instead of every day OR plan very, very carefully... bring half of every meal home for dinner (easier said than done if you have a family).
I could certainly fit in a restaurant lunch, but it would mean really restricting all the rest of the day, and I like to give myself more leeway.
But you know, 21 lbs in a year is probably less than I would have gained if I ate from a restaurant every day, so nice going there
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Stop. Eating. Out.
Bring your own lunches so you have control .......
I got an insulated lunch bag with icepak and thermos ...... I bring leftovers from dinner ...... and soups, stews, chili, homemade salads, mini-bagels & lean deli meats, cheesesticks, cut up veggies, hummus, fruit, nuts, popcorn, and so on ......
Good luck :drinker:0 -
Even if you started eating out 3 times a week instead of 5 and then kept cutting back you'll see a difference. It's hard to change drastically immediately.
Try to bring lunch from home as often as possible. You will save a ton of money - and use the money you save to buy new clothes as you lose weight Try protein bars, lean cuisines - anything quick if you are having a tough time planning time. Lean cuisines have high sodium but so does restaurant food. These aren't perfect suggestions but they will start helping you make a difference. I often times grab a protein bar, cucumber, string cheese, and yogurt or almonds to eat throughout the day. I don't eat perfect but this is what works for me - everyone is different.
When you do go out - a lot of people have already mentioned - check the nutrition facts online first. Always ask for a box immediately. At Chipotle get a naked burrito - no white rice either. At BW3 they have naked chicken tenders - which is like chicken strips without the breading and you can get a side salad with dressing on the side.
Remember you can always modify meals you see. If they have a chicken breast sandwich smothered in cheese and mayo - skip the cheese or the mayo and get veggies instead of fries.
It's so hard to make huge changes at the drop of a dime so my best advice isn't to say you aren't going to eat out ever again but make sure you are prepared.0 -
Here's a few pointers to get started...
Look for the grilled chicken things.
Avoid breaded and/or deep fried anything.
Thin, brothy soups are pretty good.
Salads with vinaigrette dressings are usually okay.
Say away from heavy pastas.
Pass on big bread sandwiches. If you get a burger or sandwich take one of the breads or buns off.
Opt for fruit and vegetable sides.
Don't get things covered in cheese.
Keep away from creamy sandwich spreads (mayo, ranch, thousand island). Mustards and hot sauces are the way to go.0 -
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Since my parents' recent seperation, most of the time I only get to see my mom when we make plans to go out for breakfast or dinner. Breakfast at a restaurant is usually pretty easy - most places offer plenty of healthier options. But when it comesto dinner, my mom usually likes to go places that don't really have those options. My mom and I both watch what we eat so when we go to dinner we only eat half the portion, and take the other half home for lunch or dinner the next day. You just have to order something that will still be good when heated up the following day.0
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I ask for a "to go" box when I get my meal... cut in half and take half home. I still try to eat sensibly and prepare by becoming familar with the menu prior over the internet if possible. Depending on my overall plan for the day, may even even a little lighter before/after to make the calorie count all work out for the day. Very do-able though.0
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