Eating out

JanLeb

Hi everyone.

I went out with a group of co-workers today for a farewell lunch for a summer employee we have and I thought I made a good healthy choice, well healthier than some of the alternatives on the menu. When I got back I decided to fill in my food diary to check to see what I have left for supper and almost fell over! My 'healthy' choice did not turn out so great, now I only have about 150 calories left for supper.:frown:

Anyway I am wondering how you handle eating out and if you have any tips for my next time out.

Thanks in advance

EmilyAnn89

if i'm trying to eat healthy i usually ask for a grilled chicken breast and steamed veggies - no butter or i get some kind of salad off the menu minus cheese and dressing on the side. if there's something specific that you want portion it out to half and ask for a box right away and box it up to take home with you.

sabified

I was constantly getting blindsided by this too... and then I figured I might as well stop making it a surprise lol check the nutritional info of where you're eating beforehand if possible

It'll really change your opinion on what to get/where to eat when you start doing that too!

MrBrown72

Oh.. food.
On android I use an app called Restaurant Nutrition

Tells me about the food and lets me plan my whole menu (appetizer to desert) so I can make a good decision ahead of time.

Bankman1989

Most restaurants these days have a section of food for the healh nuts. Or just order a sensible salad. Also did you verify the portions of the food choice? Exercising will give you some calories back also.

hamiltonba

If they have a menu on line, I look at it so I can decide a head of time what are the healthier choices

Tonnina

I always check out the foods I wanna eat on MFP first or the internet when eating out.
I found that having grilled shrimp and broccoli at Chili's is great for a meal, or having a salad with dressing on the side. I end up just dipping my lettuce in the little side cup and I have about 3/4ths of the dressing left in the cup.
I like the idea of asking for a box right away and just boxing it as soon as you get it. Some restaurants that's a great Idea like Claim Jumper or Cheesecake factory where their portions are way out in left field.
Don't get discouraged though, there's always tomorrow!!

jgic2009

I think the biggest problem with eating out at a sit-down restaurant is the portion sizes. Half an entree is often more than enough--maybe try splitting next time (good for your wallet and your waistline).

I try to stay away from anything fried or creamy, and ask for sauces/dressings on the side. Avoid appetizers (including complimentary bread or chips).

Your best option is to plan ahead as much as possible. Even if a place doesn't provide nutritional info, many still have a menu posted online so you can decide what to order before you go and build it into your day.

mewaybright

Anything you order when in a restaurant cut it in half; request a go box before you ever dig in your fork and put half of the meal into the go box… then enjoy your meal. I have found that those meals you get in a restaurant are surprisingly high in calories.

mashanda

Eating out is a challege but if you know the place your going in advance it is a good thing. I always look over the menu. If I can I will get steak or chicken grilled...with veggies grilled. It is okay to ask what the foold is grilled in or to tell them to hold the butter, oil etc.

I often ask my mother or friends what they plan to cook when they invite me to dinner too. I explain to them why so as not to offend. They usually will add in something healthy or I will offer to bring a salad , fruit or veggie so that I definately know wha tthe calories are for it.

vnelson17

if you know where you are going before hand, look up the menu to see the healthy stuff. most restaruants have a nurtition site that tells you how many calories their meals are. also, drink a lot of water before the good gets there, that way you will not eat as much. when the food comes, ask for a togo box and put half in the box. if you dont know where you are going, once you get there ask to see the menu before you sit down and ask about healthy choices. when in doubt, order chicken and veggies.

Onesnap

On the day you eat out make sure you get some sort of physical activity in. It is a must!

If I'm eating out with a friend and I don't have time to hit the gym after work I will make sure to walk during lunch (brisk pace, hills).

Buddhaboy

I know what you mean
I eat around 80% of my meals out, and you can REALLY, hit hard by eating food that sounds heathly, but are very high in calories
That said I've lost nearly 70 pounds since March, so it's possible to eat out and lose weight
First things frist
If you know you want to go out and spurge a bit, adjust your calorie intake for the day, and even the week to compensate
I have a weekly goal of losing at least a pound a week, if I do that...I go out and have a nice dinner, and just about eat anything I want, it hasn't hurt me yet. So spruging once a week isn't going to hurt your weight loss one bit
Second
Look for the hidden calories. Veggie salads by themselves are very low in calories, and we all know it's the dressing that packs on the calories, but if you add cheese, a meat or fish, nuts or bread...it's possible to get a heathy salad up over 1200 calories
Third
Don't feel bad about pushing away from the table and not eating everything on your plate
We're taught not to waste since we're kids, but all that's got me was an extra 100 lbs to lose
Lastly
Stay away from beer and alcohol...it's a diet killer!!!!
Sorry but one drink at dinner already puts you in a 150-250 calorie hole
Good luck!

beamishcas

It's so hard to eat out. You think you are making a healthy choice, and like you found out it wasn't so. I just told my husband ths morning...No more eating out for us... too many calories and too much money.

Bluestar083

I go out heaps and when I'm not trying to lose weight usually just order a main (make sure it has heaps of vegies in it, and rarely finish it) and have a bite of a friends dessert, or we go to the frozen yoghurt place and I get a kid size yoghurt with strawberries-yum!
However portion sizes are smaller here in Oz than in the States so if I lived there permanantly (as opposed to a month every two years in which I go and gain 4kg!) I would have just the entree, or two entrees.
But wow was the frozen yoghurt places amazing in the States!

Oh yeah when trying to lose weight-don't go out so much! Don't drink alcohol. Dressing/sauces etc on the side. Yup it's not as fun but it's not forever

dirtbikegirl5

I rarely go out to eat anymore. Hubs, the kids, MIL and I go out once per week and I try my best to choose the healthiest thing and it is always going to be more calories, fat, carbs than anything I make at home.
I never go out with my co-workers because I have too much anxiety about it, so I end up looking anti-social.

ffhsanfran

I struggle. Just today I was whining about that in my status update to my MFP buddies. Planning helps. Being picky helps. I also need to come to terms that leaving food on the plate is OK. either it goes to waste or to my waist. I also try to separate eating out and going out in my mind.

rachelleahsmom

I'm going out tonight so I was glad to read this. My downfall is always the chips and salsa at Mexican places. I just need to say NO. Also, I have been exercising like a crazy woman this week and haven't seen any weight loss, so I'm feeling a bit down. I need to remember that it's a process and not throw in the towel tonight.

JanLeb

I would usually check it ou online if possible. Since starting here I also plan my day the night before, but I didn't know about this until today and didn't have time to research it first. I did have a garden salad and a grilled chicken sandwich thinking that sounded Luke an excellent choice. When I gor back to work I figured I should adjust my diary, and was beyond shocked to find the sandwich was just over 500 calories!!