Being social vs sticking to my diet

Goldbergo

Hello everyone,

Maybe some of you have tips on this dilemma. I like to go out to eat or go out for drinks with my co-workers to get to know them and make new friends, but the places we go literally have NO healthy options (even the salads have 1,000 calories). I have figured out what to order when it comes to drinks, but with food I dont have a CHOICE- its always a large group of guys with fast metabolisms and who can eat large quantities of greasy foods and drink beer. Like today, we went out, and I ate a crabcake sandwich with fries- I know its not a healthy choice, but I might as well get something that tastes good when the "healthy option" is the same number of calories anyway- my friend who is one of the few other females in the group tried to get something relatively healthy, and she ordered a portabella wrap (I hate mushrooms) which she described as "covered in too much cheese and the grossest thing I have ever eaten"

What can I do- on occasion I have foregone social events in order to stick to my diet and eat food that I prepared, but I dont want to be labeled as that obnoxious girl who is am antisocial, picky eater. Can anybody help!?

Lauren

Rae6503

Can you suggest some place with healthier options? What about splitting a meal with your coworker? Surprisingly a hamburger w/o any creamy sauce or cheese is usually a good choice. Maybe split a hamburger with someone (or take half home) and get a side salad with dressing on the side in place of the fries, or just ask for no fries.

girlwapp

Only eat half and take the other half home or offer your fries or other unhealthy sides to other people to munch. Keep the portions you eat small or only order an appetizer or (if they exist) ask for kid's potions.

Kelly_Wilson1990

I order and leave off the unhealthy stuff...cheese,bacon, salad dressing on the side, etc.

CraftyGirl4

Nearly any restaurant can make you a healthy option. Really take a look at the menu. Is there chicken on there? Ask for it grilled instead of fried. Ask for the veggies with no butter. If you're getting a salad, ask for the higher calorie toppings and dressings on the side. And if there is absolutely no way you can get something healthy, ask for a to-go container when your meal arrives and put half of it in there from the beginning. Or, order an appetizer as a meal. Generally (though not always) those are smaller portions.

But, I want you to also consider why you're not telling your friends about your committment to a healthier lifestyle and if you have told them, why you're not voicing an opinion on where you want to go when you go out to eat? I love to go to Noodles and Company when someone suggests we go out for lunch on whim because they have tons of veggies and appropriate portions. But you can certainly get something like alfredo sauce there that would appeal to the guys in your group. Just a thought.

leftymac

I'm sure they have options other than fries. Maybe a baked potato?

Who says you can't alter the stuff on the menu? If they have burgers, they have chicken sandwiches. You can ask for a grilled chicken breast.

bluefox9er

I'm guessing that you don't splurge on a regular basis..if thats the case,t hen heck, have a good time with your friends, eat the best you can and get back on track first chance you get. treat diet/exercise as a lifestyle, not an endpoint..you can level things out very easily...it's human to enjoy rich foods from time to time, and if you are going to enjoy them, then don't punish yourself because you KNOW the next day is going to be different :-)

hang in there, enjoy your friends, embrace your healthy lifestyle and have the very best of both worlds :-)

Goldbergo

Not a bad idea- I think I would be outnumbered this time on location, but splitting an entree definitely would have at least mitigated the calorie intake (especially since I have a tendency to clean my plate). Thanks!