Planning to walk right into temptation- Need advice

Nikkiairforcewife

A good friend wants to meet for lunch and a playdate this week at McDonald's. I am worried that I'll walk in there and be so tempted by the food that I blow my calories for the day!

I lean towards waiting until later in the week so I have more successful days with MFP under my belt. BUT I worry that if I wait until Friday, I'll get that, "It's the weekend, you can eat what you want" old way of thinking. So maybe Thursday.

What should I do?

I don't want to offend her by not eating. I also think I'll be tempted by my children's food-- although I probably will have the self-control not to touch it. I hope.

What would YOU do? :huh:

wfbmmay

Just remember that the special "treat" is seeing your friend, NOT the nasty food at McDonald's.

dragonbug300

Get a salad and a smoothie. Eat the salad for the meal and sip the smoothie every time you feel tempted to munch on someone else's food.

homeport51

I'd go on MacDoonald's website and check out nutritional values before I go. Make some choices, journal them and stick to a plan. They do have some stuff that isn't too bad, don't they?

shellythehippie

I would go and get a salad and small fry.

brattyworm

go to McD's website and look at the calories and plan your meal before you go. Then get that meal. You can do this... Obviously you want to not give in so that should help.

good luck

PST0622

Pick another place for lunch and then take the kids to the park....or go to the park and pack a picnic!!!

mroger801

Decide what you're getting before you show up. That way, you go in knowing what you will do.

jhardenbergh

I would go and get a healthier option, maybe a salad with grilled chicken and fat free dressing on the side

lmelangley

I suggest eating something small and healthy before you go so you're not really starving. Then, plan on getting something as healthy as possible there so you're eating something and not offending your friend. I'm sure that if you look online, you can see a menu with calorie info. Plan on exactly what you're going to get yourself before you walk in the door.

Good luck!

Jorra

Know what your best choices are. If you go in knowing what you'll order, you'll be less tempted to pick something crazy. Maybe make sure your kids finish their food before running off into the playplace. Then you won't be alone with their food and tempted to steal a fry.

Check out http://eatthis.menshealth.com/restaurant_top_swaps/56816 for some of the best and worst options on the McDonald's menu.

1smemae94

Grab salad, just go easy on dressing. Once in a while youdeserve a treat, just be careful not to overdo it. Schederal a workout later in the day though, just in case.

Jodi_O

Suggest you meet somewhere else. If she is your friend she'll understand when you tell her why you want to change the venue.

sheffiej34

If it's a play date for the kids, why not have a picnic at a park and avoid it all together? If you cannot go to a park or have a play date at home. Eat a salad, eat outside (if not too hot) and have the kids (french fries and all) sit at another table where you won't be too tempted to snack.

yeabby

Eat before you go so that you aren't hungry and if you do give in, you won't eat as much.

Personally I'm not a fan of McDonald's so I can't give exact nutrition content but, you may also look at their menu and find something low calorie that can be your backup plan.

nosey_rosey

I used to go to McDonalds for a weekly play date... I had to give it up! We have other ways to get our children out and about that don't involve gross fat calorie ridden food! I couldn't stand the temptation!

keona619

McDonald's has come a long way with improving their menu, have the grilled chicken salad with balsamic dressing, it is about 420 calories and very filling. They also serve the oatmeal with fruit on top all day long with about 200 calories, their smoothies are delicious and about 300 calories as well. I hope this has helped: I also deal with certain food and places that trigger me to eat more than I should every day, I wish you discipline..

Sincerely, Keona619

bellhanley

I'm pretty new to MFP, so I don't have a lot of experience to see how this works, but I have a regular date with a pizza on Friday nights, and my plan is to just try to eat REALLY light for breakfast and lunch to try to save my food "budget" for dinner...Friday is usually my day with no exercise, so that doesn't help. This doesn't really address specifically when you should set up your play date, but it's another way to help mitigate the damage. Also just remember to order small sizes of everything rather than super-sizing.

Kalrez

My thing is this:

You're not wanting to eat McD's because it's not good for you. Lots of fat and calories. Good choice!

But you're willing to feed it to your kid? Not cool.

Start your youngin' on a good road now. Skip the fast food crap and hit the park with a picnic.

davidrt

eat something before you go, order the salad you will do fine

bluevwgurl

I would agree with prior posts...check the website and make an informed decision and stick to it. Also, when your kids are "finished" eating...have them throw the rest away. Remove the temptation.

janiepumphrey

I personally would bring some food from home and say something like "I hope you don't mind if I eat these leftovers - I'm trying to save some money on restaurants since I bought so much groceries this week" or something else benign like that. That way I could still follow the "eat together" social norm, without insulting her food choices, and without compromising on mine.

Next time this friend is trying to choose a restaurant I would steer the decision away from McDonald's though - they don't have anything that's healthy and filling at the same time. But I would feel more comfortable saying that when she doesn't have a Big Mac right in front of her. Etiquette is important.

Nikkiairforcewife

THANK YOU to everyone for the great advice. I had thought about eating something healthy ahead of time and ordering something healthy there. But I really like the advice I got from several of you saying to look online at the menu and figure it out ahead of time. SO smart.

Otherwise I'd go in there and catch a whiff of the old ways of eating and be too tempted.

Thanks again! I really appreciate it.

Nikkiairforcewife

My thing is this:

You're not wanting to eat McD's because it's not good for you. Lots of fat and calories. Good choice!

But you're willing to feed it to your kid? Not cool.

Start your youngin' on a good road now. Skip the fast food crap and hit the park with a picnic.

Kalrez-- You have a VERY good point. A picnic does sound fun at the park where they can also play.

onehecticmom

I agree with the other posters. Check McD's website & have a gameplan in place. I also like the idea of eating light before you leave so you are not as hungry.

I do think a sack lunch at the park would be fun for the kids, but not always ideal. It's too hot here to be outside during lunch. Plus, avoiding temtation does not help you deal with temptation. You need practice in making the right choices when you are out. My hubby & I love going to the movies, but it is hard seeing everyone else eat all the yummy popcorn & nachos & Pepsi. But, I won't let it stop me from doing what I enjoy. Instead, we pack our own snacks & sneak em in.

dez_yaoichan

I CAN SO HELP YOU!

SAD TO SAY I WORK AT MCDONALDS!!!

First, stay away from the fried foods. The oil isn't changed (although it is filtered) everyday and the older the oil, the more hidden calories are in the food. The nutritional info is only for fresh oil.

Second, get 1 thing not on your diet (like an apple pie or a chocolate chip cookie if they have them at your store, even a small fry will be fine- but know that to get the right calories for the fries it must have between 30-45 fries of medium size in the bag and watch the coloring) and it'll help you stay focused.

Order a salad (in most McDonalds you can request the salads with no cheese) The Asian salad is a great choise because it offers a little sweetness with the oranges.

The smoothies are great to keep you going, but if you don't like seeds, order the mango pinnapple smoothie. One thing you should never order is the Iced coffees because you will have people not following how to make it and get too many calories.

The grilled chicken is fine to get, on a sandwich or on a salad.

Another, personal, tip. Let your friend order first. If they get an Angus or a Double Quarter, go ahead and get a sandwich and small fry becuase if you get something small while they get something big, you are going to be beating yourself up about it and wanting more food.

sweetiebelle

You should be feeding your child healthy food also. They have salads there. They also have apple slices. Grilled chicken sandwich extra lettuce and tomato no bun is awesome too. There's many choices.just make a good one

Nikkiairforcewife

I CAN SO HELP YOU!

SAD TO SAY I WORK AT MCDONALDS!!!

First, stay away from the fried foods. The oil isn't changed (although it is filtered) everyday and the older the oil, the more hidden calories are in the food. The nutritional info is only for fresh oil.

Second, get 1 thing not on your diet (like an apple pie or a chocolate chip cookie if they have them at your store, even a small fry will be fine- but know that to get the right calories for the fries it must have between 30-45 fries of medium size in the bag and watch the coloring) and it'll help you stay focused.

Order a salad (in most McDonalds you can request the salads with no cheese) The Asian salad is a great choise because it offers a little sweetness with the oranges.

The smoothies are great to keep you going, but if you don't like seeds, order the mango pinnapple smoothie. One thing you should never order is the Iced coffees because you will have people not following how to make it and get too many calories.

The grilled chicken is fine to get, on a sandwich or on a salad.

Another, personal, tip. Let your friend order first. If they get an Angus or a Double Quarter, go ahead and get a sandwich and small fry becuase if you get something small while they get something big, you are going to be beating yourself up about it and wanting more food.

I had no idea about the hidden calories from the older oil! And you have enlightened me about so many things. Thanks!

jenstanley13

I love McDonald's salads with grilled chicken; pretty healthy and low calorie as long as you watch the dressing portions.

As for feeding your kids McD's; I think anything is okay in moderation...although I do try to pick the healthier options for my daughter.

Nikkiairforcewife

You should be feeding your child healthy food also. They have salads there. They also have apple slices. Grilled chicken sandwich extra lettuce and tomato no bun is awesome too. There's many choices.just make a good one

I totally forgot that apple slices was an option. And that grilled chicken sandwich with extra lettuce and tomato with no bun does sound like a tasty and good alternative to a double cheeseburger. Thanks!

TS65

I think you need to have more faith in yourself. Eat a healthy meal before you go. Make up your mind that you will only order an iced tea or a diet coke and go. The playdate is only a couple of hours. YOU CAN DO THIS!