Eating out

jess9897

For me, eating out has become such a negative thing because I realize now how many calories are in the foods I loved, and self control is a big issue for me. I find myself trying to avoid social gatherings out because of these problems. I have those friends that can eat what they want, and still remain a size 2. Any suggestions on making this outing a smoother process?

27strange

I wouldn't avoid social gatherings out, but I know what you are saying about the difficulty. I always have a fear in the back of my mind when friends say lets go here or there or whatever. The key is to plan. Plan for the eating out ahead of time. Know where you are gong, try to look up the menu online and nutritional info so you can make good choices. Shape your whole day around the eating out meal by saving calories for the meal and exercising extra hard that day or the day after. A splurge every now and again at a restaurant is not going to do substantial harm. Just plan for it and adjust as best you can, but also enjoy yourself and enjoy being social.

jess9897

"Your topic title is misleading."



How?

kennie2

Your topic title is misleading.

LOL

xAdrianax

Do some research into places YOU would like to go, places which cater to people who want a healthier lower calorie meal!

Then find something there, or on the menu which would appeal to your friends.

Also try saying that you would like to go there, pretty sure in social situations everyones aloud to have a say in where you should go

dayzeerock

Your topic title is misleading.

Hahahaha!

jess9897

Thanks to those of you who actually posted something helpful!

stevebalfour

One thing I did was to enlist my friends. When I told my friends what my goal was and that means I can't eat the breadsticks at Oliver Garden (for instance), they became part of my program. Sure, it's a little akward not to have a first course when everyone else is, but it is also great when someone brings a recipe they thought you would like because it meets your dietary requirements and was a food tehy remember you eating a lot of. I foind that if I was open with my friends about what I was doing, they became my allies. One is now using MyFitnessPal too and he and his wife have started cooking in the same way I eat. Yeah, that was lucky and they are an amazing couple, but it wouldn't have had a chance to happen if I hadn't told them what I needed and why.

LindsayChick

I totally feel your pain here. My husband LOVES to eat out... more than anything!! Haha.... and he's very slim. I have the same hesitation as you do. I'd rather just eat something healthy at home. However, we compromise.... I often get a salad (without cheese, dressing on side) and baked potato. We went out the other night and I got grilled salmon, broccoli and grilled zucchini. The salmon portion was large so I took half home and had it the next day for lunch. We went out the other day and I found a "Spring Salad" on the menu w/ baby spinach, grilled chicken, blackberries, strawberries etc w/ vinegarette on the side. You can definitely eat out healthfully, you just have to be really careful! Also, places that have a vegetable platter are good ideas too. Good luck!

dad106

Your topic title is misleading.

Not sure what this has to do with her question.. but w/e.

To OP:
If you know that your going to a specific restaurant, then try looking up the calorie counts before hand and finding the lowest calorie item.
Exercise earlier in the day so that you have a bit of more calories to play around with.
Only eat half the bread or no bread at all.. get fruit instead of fries/chips, water/iced tea instead of soda/alcoholic drinks.

You can eat out healthily.. you just have to be smart about it.

nagaisgich

Another thing to keep in mind is of course the large portion sizes in restaurants. For myself, I try to order something that I can easily eat half of and then request a take out container for my remainder. Also, I am getting very good at finding restaurants that offer half-size portions, which is very nice when you don't like to be the person who always takes home half her meal Oh and sometimes you can ask if you can get a half size... it doesn't cut the price in half but it does lower it and it's worth it for your health.

Sometimes my partner and I share an entree, depends on what it is since some things you just know you don't want to try to split up onto two plates.... wait staff seem perfectly fine with asking for two plates.

I do not eat dessert in a restaurant. I never did have that habit so I guess that's lucky.

watcherII

i know how you feel. a trick when eating out is to ask the server to bring a to go box with your meal. that way when your food is served you can put half of it into the box first thing. most restaurant meals are two or three portions worth already, not to mention the calorie content. boxing up half before you start takes overeating out of the equation. so, assuming you've made smart choices when you ordered, you'll stay on track. when going to a gathering at a friends' home the easiest thing for me is to eat a meal of vegies or light soup before i go, so that it will be easier for me to make good choices. before you start eating at the party, look over the food choices and decide which of the dishes offered are either the smartest choices, or one just so yummy that it's worth the extra exercise, and stick to small portions of your picks. and don't forget the empty calories in the drinks! you can offset these by alternating regular drinks and water, therefore only getting half the calories, or by getting only one drink and making it last. the biggest thing to remember is that one night is not going to make or break your eating plan, and that these times with friends should be fun and relaxing. you have made a lifestyle change, and you can make smart choices in all situations, you know you can!

Grimmerick

Thanks to those of you who actually posted something helpful!

Hey now I thought that poster was pretty dang funny

You should embrace eating out though, there is always something you can have and it's usually just as filling and delicious, my personal favorite is a salmon salad, they almost always have one of those, and I don't feel cheated because it tastes so darn good and I don't feel miserably full afterwards not too mention regretful of a bad food choice. Planning out the meal is kinda fun and gives me something to look forward to. Heck sometimes I will even walk to the restaurant to give me some extra calories on the way. Embrace it and enjoy. ........and I always work in a glass or two of wine.

veggiepug

Avoiding social gatherings isn't livable. In order to make this a true lifestyle change, you have to learn how to incorporate dining out, parties, etc. I understand where you're coming from, and I've also turned down invitations to go out with friends or coworkers because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make good choices. I always regret when I do this.

If you know what restaurant you're going to, look at their menu ahead of time and pre-track your meal. A lot of chains have their nutritional information posted on the website (or might already be listed in the MFP database). If it's a restaurant where you can't find NI, look for similar items in the MFP database. It might not be 100% accurate, but we can't be perfect all of the time.

If you're ordering a calorie rich meal, plan on eating half and taking the other half to go.

Plan some exercise in your day to earn some extra calories. Eat sensibly during your other meals (DON'T starve yourself the whole day knowing you will be going out to eat. This always leads to bad choices when I've tried this in the past).

Most of all, cut yourself some slack and try not to be too hard on yourself if you have a slip up. Track and move on

Scott613

When you go out order off menu. Get a chicken breast and mixed veggies or salad. You don't have to get what's on the menu if you can find different healthier substitutions. Find out if they use butter while making veggies. Ask for steamed or grilled instead.



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Qarol

I have no will power when it comes to eating out, so if my friends aren't willing to go for a cup of coffee or a pedicure, I'm not willing to hang out with them. This is important to me. And my true friends will understand.

CARNAT22

If you have no self control at all then you will struggle but it is possible to go out to eat, pick healthy options and not feel deprived.

Here are some things I try to do when I eat out...

* Opt for just a main course (or even a children's sized portion if possible)
* If I have more than one course I share my dessert and / or starter
* Opt for healthy side dishes such as new potatoes or salad
* No dressing on salads
* Opt for tomato based dishes as opposed to anything creamy or cheesy
* Avoid anything deep fried or covered in cheese
* Opt for chicken and turkey dishes as opposed to red meat
* Drink plenty of water
* Limit alcohol
* Eat slowly
* Look at the menu online beforehand so I know what the ehalthy choices are
* Eat a little something before I go out so I am not ravenous when I am ordering
* If I do want a few fries or a bit of choicce cake then I have a nibble of someone elses!

Of course sometimes I do just go out and eat what I want but as I do eat out at least once a week {sometimes more!} I need to keep my choices as healthy as possible!

CARNAT22

I have no will power when it comes to eating out, so if my friends aren't willing to go for a cup of coffee or a pedicure, I'm not willing to hang out with them. This is important to me. And my true friends will understand.

Wow - does this mean you'll never be able to go to a restaurant again?

jvkh127

Your topic title is misleading.

Hahaha
but I think the OP did not get the joke she may be offended even if she did lol

Scoobies87

I have no will power when it comes to eating out, so if my friends aren't willing to go for a cup of coffee or a pedicure, I'm not willing to hang out with them. This is important to me. And my true friends will understand.

Wow - does this mean you'll never be able to go to a restaurant again?

I get what you mean. I sometimes avoid such occasions (depending on the friend who it is with)

For example some of my friends would encourage and support my diet. Others (who are larger then me) Will try and influence me to ruin it, probably on purpose to make themselves feel better. I can't eat with such friends now as I am manipulated into feeling guilty for dieting when I am with them.

It's a shame but some people seem to get a kick out of ruining people's diets, either that or they just don't get it as they can eat what they want.

edunk2008

I'm new to this adventure but I've read that it really helps, before going to a social gathering or out to eat, to have a light meal at home. That way you wont be starving and less tempted to flop on your diet. At the gathering, snack on veggies or TASTE whats provided. While out to eat, order a side salad or a full meal, but when you order ask for a take home box to be brought with your selection and box up most of it to eat for lunch the following day....out of sight, out of mind!!! Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!!!!!

tiffwhit16

I wouldn't avoid social gatherings out, but I know what you are saying about the difficulty. I always have a fear in the back of my mind when friends say lets go here or there or whatever. The key is to plan. Plan for the eating out ahead of time. Know where you are gong, try to look up the menu online and nutritional info so you can make good choices. Shape your whole day around the eating out meal by saving calories for the meal and exercising extra hard that day or the day after. A splurge every now and again at a restaurant is not going to do substantial harm. Just plan for it and adjust as best you can, but also enjoy yourself and enjoy being social.

What she said!! Something I have started doing also is I order a side salad with dressing on the side and whatever thing I'm wanting the most ala carte. That way I get my favorite food (which is usually enough to fill me up anyway), without all the sides and extras that put me over my calories. In the end I am fully satisfied and I don't feel like I'm missing out. And, don't worry about what other people think!! Whatever is best for your body and health is more important!

jess9897

Your topic title is misleading.

Hahaha
but I think the OP did not get the joke she may be offended even if she did lol

I got the joke, just didn't really find it funny or how it had to do with what I was asking.


Thanks for all the other advice!