Eating out is basically impossible

nespinosa3

Does anyone else feel like there are almost no healthy options when eating out? I go through all the online menus, looks at the calories/fat/carb and it just seems almost impossible to find something within my daily allowance, especially if you care about the macros too. Sometimes I find a salad that is 300 calories but then I find that it has all the fat that I can eat in a day -_- and there is no way of avoiding fat for the rest of my meals. And yes, I know most of it is the dressing, but that's just an example. In general, i just find it very hard to find something that I can eat and doesn't make me starve the rest of the day.
I have been making good progress but most of what I eat is at home, I rarely eat out. I don't miss eating greasy unhealthy stuff that much, but I do miss the easiness of just spending the day around town and not having to get back to the apartment to eat.

cosmichvoyager

eating at restaurants has been a tough one for me because I like to go out a lot for socializing and seeing friends. I am thinking I might try to eat something healthy before I go out--even just a baked yam or a wasa cracker with avocado on it, a bit of chicken or salmon. So then when I am out I won't be as hungry and can just order an appetizer and a drink or 2 and get the social part, take the focus off the food itself for me.

Most restaurants appetizers are totally meal-sized, tbh

FaithfulJewel

So, you'd eat out maybe once a month?

In that case, stuff it. Ignore your macros for 1 day (single digit!) and just try for calorie allowance. Heck, if even if that doesn't come into your allowance, just have it anyway and try not to feel guilty.

It's once. It's a treat. Try and pick the healthier option but don't stress too much about it (chicken burger with salad instead of a cheese burger with fries, for ex).

Might be, with a basic substitution, you can keep things under your kcal allowance without issue and just ignore your macros for a day.

Good luck!

Velum_cado

If it's that rare, I'd just not worry about it and have whatever. Find a sensible option, but not agonize over macros.

I rarely eat out either (as in 4 times a year or so). For me, it's a treat, so I allow myself to just indulge. I feel that healthy eating is about balance and moderation, and that means the occasional meal that doesn't quite fit your macros.

If eating out is just about convenience for you, take something with you while you're out. Or stop into a supermarket and get a sandwich or salad or something.

fryfat

Restaurants don't care about your health. They care if you *think* it's healthy, so they'll give their items nice sounding names and descriptions, but your long-term health is the least of their concerns.

pita7317

Going out to eat is difficult. Logging correctly, impossible.
I just pay attention to a better choice meal and how much of it I actually eat, which usually is about half.
Seems to work for me. Might go out for a meal four times a month at best. Because I like to cook.

3laine75

Haven't come across this problem. You're diary's private so can't have a nosy to see why you're having issues.

lucasmoten

I don't have much problem eating at restaurants. But nearly everything I order ends up being modified.

I often order sandwiches without the condiments. Sauces that are fat/sugar based are akin to drinking calories IMHO and add minimal taste explosion for the calories they take up. I'd rather enjoy a snack later..

When it comes to salads, I rarely use the common toppings (nuts, croutons), and for dressing, if I do use it, its sparingly. I swear a bag of dressing at a fast food joint is enough for several days. At a restaurant, always ask for dressing on the side.

I reduce the greasiness factor by sticking to grilled and baked whenever possible, and preferring fish over birds over cattle.

janelann222

For me personally I keep track of calories but I don't count fat really at all. I have lost about 22 pounds since January. I was also an athlete in my past life, so I have tried a few things and know what works for me. I actually think fats in certain foods are very good for you and your skin. Eating out is difficult, and what is more difficult is we associate get together with food. You could give yourself a cheat day per week and not keep track at all like I do, or certain places (like red lobster has many 600 calorie or under meal options with the health benefit of being seafood, Applebees has 500 calorie option meals). These are the best two I go to which keep me within reason. If you go elsewhere, a good salad while removing croutons and using red wine vinaigrette always works for me too. A trick for desert I like (and I have a huge sweet tooth) is to have a decaf coffee with some stevia in it instead of desert. This way I feel like I am ordering something and it tastes sweet!

lucasmoten

Restaurants don't care about your health. They care if you *think* it's healthy, so they'll give their items nice sounding names and descriptions, but your long-term health is the least of their concerns.

I disagree with this. They care about your health in the same way that cigarette manufacturers and the general health (not to be confused with fitness) industry (big pharma, health insurance, hospitals, etc) does. That is, no self-respecting business wants their clients to get unhealthy and die off. They want their customers to be dependent and coming back, paying as much based upon perceived value to maximize profits.

keem88

if you don't eat out often it doesn't really make a difference if you go over for the day.

you can always order off the kids menu as there are smaller portions or ask for a box with the meal so you can box half of it, as many places serve more than what is necessary for a meal.

keem88

i haev more of a problem with places not having a lot of vegan/vegetarian options. and that applebees on their 2 for $20 has no vegetarian items and say no substitutions. **** you applebees

Chezzie84

Does anyone else feel like there are almost no healthy options when eating out? I go through all the online menus, looks at the calories/fat/carb and it just seems almost impossible to find something within my daily allowance, especially if you care about the macros too. Sometimes I find a salad that is 300 calories but then I find that it has all the fat that I can eat in a day -_- and there is no way of avoiding fat for the rest of my meals. And yes, I know most of it is the dressing, but that's just an example. In general, i just find it very hard to find something that I can eat and doesn't make me starve the rest of the day.
I have been making good progress but most of what I eat is at home, I rarely eat out. I don't miss eating greasy unhealthy stuff that much, but I do miss the easiness of just spending the day around town and not having to get back to the apartment to eat.

Just go out and enjoy yourself. As long as it is not every week, it's not really going to make a huge difference.
I go out and its not hindered my weight loss at all.

ponycyndi

I skip the extras (bread, chips, fries) because they aren't worth it for me. I also skip the drinks, as I prefer to eat my calories. I often find myself on the run with hungry kids, so I know what I can eat within my calories, at the drive thru. I figure I'm out running around and picking up kids and stuff, so I'm burning more already.

DanaDark

On days that I know I am going to have certain events like going out to eat, I honestly skip a meal in the morning and save most of my calories for the event.

It is alright to splurge once in a while. One thing you should also remember... if you have MFP set for 1 pound a week loss, that is 500 calories. So... if you go over by 400 calories, technically, you still have a 100 calorie deficit. So, won't be fat gain, but maybe some water gain while processing the extra food, and after that, everything back to normal.

ndj1979

I think you are over thinking it..

I eat out probably once a week, sometimes twice, and I have not had an issue with my training or weight loss …most recent cut I am about seven pounds down …

yes, if you eat out you are probably not going to hit your macros perfectly and the calorie counts may be off, but I find that I can eat out and still maintain my deficit…

Last night, I had two sushi rolls, a salad, and key lime pie ..I was over on my calories for day by 150 but for the day that is still a 350 calorie deficit..

tonight, I am going out with parents and friends and I am sure that I will be a little off on logging and calories..but I have left myself about 1100 calories for dinner and I would still be in a 500 calorie deficit..and if i go over my 1100 number I still have 500 until I go over maintenance….

so with a little planning it is not that hard to accomplish ..just try not to get too crazy about it ….

mishamae

I find this to be a problem too, especially if we are on a day trip or a date night. I think we just have to not over think it and make decent choices Weirdly enough I have found quite a few fast food places lately to have really decent calorie sensible and macro sensible salads. They will put all dressing and toppings such as (cashews, almonds, etc..) packaged on the side for you. I toss the dressing and my salads end up around 250-300 cals, low fat, high protein As for restaurants...especially on date nights I try to give options to the bf that I know will have a "healthy option" menu or at least salads or meal I can alter. I know its hard I try to plan ahead when we know we are heading out, so I can bring food that I know is healthy for us.

lemon629

I frequently eat out. Just eat slowly, be careful with the bread/chips, don't drink alcohol or only one drink, no dessert. You may want to be careful with sauces and salad dressings, but no need for major modifications. Split the entree in half and ask for it to be boxed up. Follow these rules and you will probably continue to lose weight. I lost 60 pounds eating like that.

JoshD8705

Currently my daily allowance is high even at 2lbs a week, plus my weightlifting calorie burn. I can easily fit dinner at a restaurant in, as long as I know I'm doing it before I have my lunch.

ndj1979

I frequently eat out. Just eat slowly, be careful with the bread/chips, don't drink alcohol or only one drink, no dessert. You may want to be careful with sauces and salad dressings, but no need for major modifications. Split the entree in half and ask for it to be boxed up. Follow these rules and you will probably continue to lose weight. I lost 60 pounds eating like that.

well that sounds boring…..i have never been one for rules...

Mischievous_Rascal

Stop "dieting" and start thinking about how to eat healthy for the rest of your life, and that includes having the occasional over-indulgent meal. In other words learn moderation and learn to give yourself a break and that it's okay to have some fun every once in a while.

GiveMeCoffee

I go out to eat at least once a week, sometimes twice. Now it does help if I know we are going out early in the day, and I plan around it, but if not I do the best I can. I went out 2 nights ago was 300 calories or so over for the day, so it cut into my weekly deficit a little but nothing major.

Since you go out very infrequently the one meal really is not going to make a difference. One salad doesn't make us thin, and one restaurant meal isn't making you fat.

JoshD8705

I frequently eat out. Just eat slowly, be careful with the bread/chips, don't drink alcohol or only one drink, no dessert. You may want to be careful with sauces and salad dressings, but no need for major modifications. Split the entree in half and ask for it to be boxed up. Follow these rules and you will probably continue to lose weight. I lost 60 pounds eating like that.

well that sounds boring…..i have never been one for rules...

The take half home works good with chinese food though. Lol

SnuggleSmacks

You can get grilled chicken or a reasonable seafood option plus steamed veggies or broccoli at an awful lot of restaurants. Many now have menu options labeled for lower calorie or special diets, like low-carb. And don't forget that you can always split it and take half home. I do that sometimes with a large meal...I ask for a box up front and split it as soon as I get my food, put half away in the box, and only eat what's left on my plate.

ccrdragon

We eat out (family) every couple of weeks and we tend to eat fish or chicken (grilled not fried) and both my wife and I are still losing weight. Sometimes I will do some extra exercise in the morning if I know we are going out but most of the time I will just eat 1/2 the entree and lots of veggies - we eat at places like Blackeyed pea where you can choose your own veggies.

Basically, as long as you are not eating a double helping of deep-fried whatever plus french fries, bread and super sugary dessert out several times a week, you are not going to have a problem with eating out every once in a while.

Biggest thing to remember about this little journey - this is a choice that you are making for the rest of your life - do you really want to give up eating out completely or do you want to maybe do a little more exercise or cut back on other meals so that you can still enjoy the journey?!? For me at least, I am not going to give up eating out with my family and friends, so I choose to live a little every once in a while.

melissa_tn

I feel the same way about eating out, and have just chosen not to. I feel like I can have a tastier and more satisfying meal at home. I detest the fake taste of grilled chicken in restaurants. I'm not at a point with my weight loss that I want to blow a day of calories on eating out. I eat 5-6 smaller meals a day, so I'm also hungry every 2-3 hours, and if I miss/skip a meal to be able to eat out, I would more than likely over eat b/c of that. You know yourself and your goals better than anyone else. I do agree with the poster who said to halve the meal. I was just looking through on-line menus, and since they do give so much food, you could easily halve it I think.
*edited to say I don't deprive myself of treats, but again, I can get more bang for my buck so to speak by making it myself

CA_Underdog

I actually ate out four times the last eight days. I do watch my macro/micros while eating out. The meals: Chick-Fil-A grilled chicken sandwhich and 1/2 a small lemonade (high in vitamin C), a Raley's couscous salad cup with dressing, Old Spaghetti Factory spaghetti with marinara and mushroom plus sourdough bread plus green tea plus spumone plus green salad with olive oil and balsamic, Chipotle burrito bowl with chicken and brown rice and tomatillo sauce and cheese and lettuce.

keobooks

Maybe I'm lucky because I have a fairly high caloric requirement, but I have no trouble at most restauants. The only real killer I have trouble with is tex mex. Everything seems to be smothered with cheese sauce and dripping grease.

rogerOb1

I don't have much problem eating at restaurants. But nearly everything I order ends up being modified.

I often order sandwiches without the condiments. Sauces that are fat/sugar based are akin to drinking calories IMHO and add minimal taste explosion for the calories they take up. I'd rather enjoy a snack later..

When it comes to salads, I rarely use the common toppings (nuts, croutons), and for dressing, if I do use it, its sparingly. I swear a bag of dressing at a fast food joint is enough for several days. At a restaurant, always ask for dressing on the side.

I reduce the greasiness factor by sticking to grilled and baked whenever possible, and preferring fish over birds over cattle.

Exactly, it can be done.

Plus, theres always portion control - many places give you more food than you need, so avoid eating past feeling full. You can hit your overall goals while still enjoying your food while eating out every once in a while.

melissa_tn

Maybe I'm lucky because I have a fairly high caloric requirement, but I have no trouble at most restauants. The only real killer I have trouble with is tex mex. Everything seems to be smothered with cheese sauce and dripping grease.

I think this is a big difference for me. I don't have a high cal req, so I don't have a lot to spare, lol!

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