Eating out

Foxworth81

Does anyone have any recommendations for restaurants that might have some healthier alternatives? I know Applebees has an "Under 550 calories" menu. I have been on my diet plan for about a month now and haven't eaten out because i didn't want to slip up but my parents are coming to visit this weekend and we always eat out.

carlynishere

Check out some of the restuarant websites - they are great for checking your options before you go! HTH!

dspearsb

Check the restrauant's website for for nurtrition info. That way you know what to order and how many calories before you even get there.

kerriBB37

try dwlz.com! I love it!!

JulsDiane

Bob Evans has a fit from the farm section now and ruby tuesday's has new great new salads.

NoAdditives

You can always take a day or a meal off and just not worry about it. I do that most weekends and it hasn't hindered my weight loss. I've been a little more strict this month because I'm trying to lose 10 pounds a month for the next three months. But, before that I would not worry at all and was still losing at least 1 pound a week.

SJSchwartz

Yes, I agree with the previous posters about checking out the nutritional menu online. And remember, you can always ask for a to-go box right at the beginning and put half your meal away out of sight to eat another time.

ashlee954

Just choose the healthy option anywhere you go. Baked vs fries. Steamed veggies vs potato or fries. Avoid breads and pastas and too much cheese!

dmoses

this is one of my favorite sites to consult before we choose a restaurant:

http://eatthis.menshealth.com/restaurant_guided_search/all/all/all/all

Mad_Dog_Muscle

I have also found Applebees to be one of the better ones offering Lo-Cal options. Whatever you do, avoid Olive Garden like the plague! Even the soup and salad will kill your diet easily!

good luck!

bp1140

I have been tracking my food for almost a month and I am HORRIFIED by how much I eat out. My problem is that I look at every meal at a restaurant like a "special occasion" and eat like there's no tomorrow. This has definitely helped my pinpoint that huge problem with my eating. Now--- to fix it!

Good luck!

might4

Chili's has some good Guitless Grill Options. I think you have to ask for it though...it isn't usually on the menu but the Guitless Grilled Salmon is really good!

MooseWizard

Logans Roadhouse has an under 500 calorie menu, as does McAlisters Deli.

Moe's Southwest Grill and Qudoba offer Mexican fair and their websites allow you to build your meal online to exactly how much adding this or subtracting that affects the nutritional values.

Subway probably goes without saying...

fantm

This is a tough one. We don't eat at many chain restaurants, which is where you will likely find nutrition info. The smaller, local chains or mom-and-pop places don't have to post that info, which makes it difficult. Anyone have tips for that, besides making wise choices?

omgitsgarry

I tend to stay away from seafood joints and Italian eatery's. Any place that offer's a low calorie or weight watchers menu is best (like applebee's as you mentioned), but be careful, sometimes they tend to give you an extra serving size or two, so split your meal in half and take some of it home to be on the safe side.

ladybug91254

Olive Garden also has some light menu items...I think they vary by location but the ones I had were very good.

rflowers7

I've pretty much stuck with Applebee's, Chili's, and Ruby Tuesday as far as sit-down type restaurants. They all have low cal choices that are very good. Any restaurant food will be high in sodium however, so keep an eye out there. Honestly, since I've started really paying attention to what I eat, if I can't find nutrition info online for a restaurant, I don't eat there. There's really no reason not to publish that info unless you really don't want your customers to know what they're eating.

abyt42

Yes, I agree with the previous posters about checking out the nutritional menu online. And remember, you can always ask for a to-go box right at the beginning and put half your meal away out of sight to eat another time.

I agree.... half an entree in a to go box early on, and you're set, both for this meal and the following day's dinner, too!

Adsnwfld

Do your homework BEFORE going out. So many places serve absolute junk, you have to be super careful.
You can eat out, just have to educate yourself first. A little homework will stop a lot of guilt and stress.

JenBrown0210

If you have a smartphone, download a resteraunt app. I use mine whenever we go out (which hasn't been much lately because of how horrible I found the food is). I discovered the food I ate at applebees was over 2000 calories. Just for one meal! Just make a healthy choice, going out every once in a while is ok.

LMPRF97

bump

Dtho5159

You can always take a day or a meal off and just not worry about it. I do that most weekends and it hasn't hindered my weight loss. I've been a little more strict this month because I'm trying to lose 10 pounds a month for the next three months. But, before that I would not worry at all and was still losing at least 1 pound a week.

I do this too. I eat pretty well during the week and try on weekends but we usually are out with my mom fri evening and sat lunch time so we usually eat out somewhere. What I do though, is like this past Saturday we went to a chinese buffet. I ate a very small breakfast and had crackers, laughing cow cheese wedge and fruit for dinner since I was still full from lunch and know I spent a ton of calories there. I always try to eat light the rest of the day when I know Im gonna eat out so if I do go over, its not much.

Foxworth81

This is the main problem I'm having. When my parents come to visit, I like to take them to a unique local restaurant instead of a chain. But I thiink until I meet my goal weight, I will stick with those restaurants that I can research and find nutritional information for. Then, onces I'm just maintaining, i can branch out and learn to eat healthy at some of our local restaurants.

Thanks for all the great adivce!

klininger

McAlister's Deli seems to have some pretty lo cal options and yummy too!

catniss

Another thing, especially with a local restaurant, is that the chef/cook is usually able and willing to accomdate special requests--you could even call ahead to ask and arrange it. Then you could just give some "guidelines"--no heavy cream, extra cheese, lots of veggies w/o sauce, salads without all the extras, whole grains, etc, etc--whatever you are eating normally so you won't have to feel guilty or deprived and someone else gets to cook for you. Whatever you decide to do, do it wholeheartedly and enjoy it fully.
Good luck!

Sara1978

I probably drive people at restaurants insane, but I ask for things on the side a lot. Dressing? Put it on the side. Sauce that is added after the cooking is done? Put it on the side. I eat vegetarian when I eat out if there's a good vegetarian option, and if there isn't, I go for grilled fish if it is available. I usually ask if I can substitute a vegetable or a salad for potatoes or rice if those are served on the side with whatever entrée I choose.

Burgertogo

At most any restaurant that has a Chef or a better establishment you can ask for something to be cooked in a healthy way. Ask them to just Broil your fish or Chicken, ask if they have any steamed Vegs as a side. The best thing you can do is NOT order that side of Mashed potatoes. Food tastes great at restaurants because they use lots of BUTTER. They are interested in you coming back because the food was so good.