Stressing over dinner out

eddie8131

Hello does anyone have any good restaurant ideas for my wife and I for dinner tonight? Healthy of course and we each have a reasonable amount of calories left. We live in the Metro Detroit area. Here are a few that are out for a variety of reasons: Outback, Applebees, Potbelly, Quiznos, Subway. Do you have one fav thing you get while going there? Help!

april_beth

go onto each of those places that have a website and look at their nutritional info...have fun with the wife

kellyyjean

Hi Eddie,
I love love love Ninety Nine. When we go out I try to drink water before the meal and during with my meal. It fills me up and I end up taking half my meal home. I love french fries but get extra broccoli instead. Some time I have to have the french fries but I limit myself and french fries are not the same rewarmed.
Good luck!

eddie8131

Hi Eddie,
I love love love Ninety Nine. When we go out I try to drink water before the meal and during with my meal. It fills me up and I end up taking half my meal home. I love french fries but get extra broccoli instead. Some time I have to have the french fries but I limit myself and french fries are not the same rewarmed.
Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestion but they dont have those here...sounds yummy though anywhere I can get steamed broccoli is awesome. )

eddie8131

go onto each of those places that have a website and look at their nutritional info...have fun with the wife

Thanks April Beth looking forward to it!! ))

juliapurpletoes

I don't know of any specifc restaurants in your area BUT I'll bet, it is alot like all the chain restaurants we have here! My advice that I humbly want to offer and what works for me is to order from the menu but make alterations.

Many times I'll order a salad and ask for them to bring oil and vinegar and I can dress the sald myself, pick off the croutons or whatever. Usually I order a baked potato or vegetables plain and then am able to put olive oil or butter in the amounts i want. As for protein, I tend to go for a cut of steak, chicken or fish that is recognizable and not mixed into or covered up with anything....

In the end it is easier to figure out calories and not stress out. It is the job of the server and chef to make you happy, so ask about the weights of the beef or fish ...they will always tell you!

The one thing they aren't paid to do is make things low fat or low sodium it seems....so order plain and add what you like!

Best of Luck and enjoy the evening.

BarbWhite09

Most chain restaurants, like those you just listed, will have their nutrition facts online. A lot of places are also adding a diet menu to their normal menu. I think the Applebee's one is the 550 calorie & under menu, or something like that.

If you're going someplace that isn't a chain just consciously make healthy choices...If you get a salad don't get the normal dressing, and/or ask for no cheese. Get veggies instead of fries. Don't order fried food. Go for chicken or fish. Or if you want a burger go for a turkey burger, minus cheese. Don't have desert.

A little bit of indulgence isn't going to kill ya, though

lorihalsted

All of those listed offer nutritious dinner! We ate at Outback a few weeks ago and I did have a 1400 calorie meal complete with bread, salad, steak, loaded potato and a skinny 'rita. Watch the calories on their dressing (I didn't and that is why the calories were so high!). The tomato one is the lowest caloric one. Whatever you choose you and your wife have a good night!!!!

jenalderman

Ruby Tuesday is on every street corner. My hubby and I eat there almost every Friday night. They have several meal combinations that are under 700 for the entire meal. Last night I had a plain grilled petite sirloin, sweet potatoe fries, and zucchini. I even had a cheddar garlic biscuit and it was all for around 700 calories. I have to skip my snacks on date night but the splurge is so worth it.

eddie8131

All of those listed offer nutritious dinner! We ate at Outback a few weeks ago and I did have a 1400 calorie meal complete with bread, salad, steak, loaded potato and a skinny 'rita. Watch the calories on their dressing (I didn't and that is why the calories were so high!). The tomato one is the lowest caloric one. Whatever you choose you and your wife have a good night!!!!
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Thank you so much for your suggestion! I love the tangy tomato dressing there. That one iis out tho because we always go there and are looking for a change. )) Yes I have actually got just a side salad baked potato and steamed broccoli there when I didnt have a lot of calories yet. Thanks again!

sewedo1

I have learned that I can find a healthy meal at most any restaurant. I try to remember to order whole foods rather than things with sauces or cheese toppings. Most chains have a small steak, grilled salmon, grilled shrimp, or grilled pork chops and chiken. A salad with lite dressing served on the side (minus cheese and croutons if you're really in need of fewer calories), baked potato (with a little butter or salsa), or steamed vegetables. Ask that no rolls be brought to the table or only one per person. If I choose mexican, I will get Fajitas either with meat or vegetarian (no sour cream and little cheese, extra lettuce and tomatoe), and I usually don't eat the tortillas or just one. Limit chips to about 10 (all the salsa you want). Enjoy dinner!

eddie8131

Ruby Tuesday is on every street corner. My hubby and I eat there almost every Friday night. They have several meal combinations that are under 700 for the entire meal. Last night I had a plain grilled petite sirloin, sweet potatoe fries, and zucchini. I even had a cheddar garlic biscuit and it was all for around 700 calories. I have to skip my snacks on date night but the splurge is so worth it.

Excellent suggestion this might be the winner. I wish there was a prize lol

eddie8131

We went to Ruby Tuesday, I had the garden salad (full), a baked potato (with nothing on it) and a side of broccoli. Surprisingly, that is 730 calories. It was satisfying so I am all good, thanks for the reminder about this place it was great!!!!!

ReinasWrath

I love outback! Their steak and salmon are the best in my opinion and aren't as bad as you'd think they would be. Salmon is high in fat but I imagine it would be what some people call good fat and of course loads of protein!!

IvoryParchment

If you're planning ahead, you can choose something you both like wherever you go and split it down the middle. Then the calories will probably be low enough to eat anything you really like without substitution. Be sure to tip double, as the server is still serving two of you.

springfield5780

I know its too late now but for future reference I went to O'charleys with my family the other day after freaking out about calories for an hour LOL They have a Chicken bruschetta that is 530 calories. So I ordered it! Long story short they sent me the wrong thing I was SUPPOSED to have cheese and tomatoes and other stuff on top. I got no cheese (I figured yay less calories) and it was VERY spicy. I asked the waitress just to see what the world I was eating and they had mistakenly put Pico De Gallo on top instead of the bruschetta mixture which actually made it even less calories!!!! It came with grilled tomatoes and steamed broccoli and if I go back I will actually request it that way instead of the correct way LOL

eddie8131

I know its too late now but for future reference I went to O'charleys with my family the other day after freaking out about calories for an hour LOL They have a Chicken bruschetta that is 530 calories. So I ordered it! Long story short they sent me the wrong thing I was SUPPOSED to have cheese and tomatoes and other stuff on top. I got no cheese (I figured yay less calories) and it was VERY spicy. I asked the waitress just to see what the world I was eating and they had mistakenly put Pico De Gallo on top instead of the bruschetta mixture which actually made it even less calories!!!! It came with grilled tomatoes and steamed broccoli and if I go back I will actually request it that way instead of the correct way LOL

That is such a great tip based on an accident eh, I'm glad you posted it. I will definitely keep it in mind for next time. ))