Restaurants - how do you handle logging?

alleyrat

New to MFP (old to weight struggles) and am feeling very positive about this. I think my biggest mistake of all time is to have undereaten and then 'binged' like clockwork.

Anyway having thrown myself into the MFP way I am freaking about about going to a restaurant tonight. Do I surreptitiosly sneak my food under the table to a small set of scales balanced on my knee? Could I jot everything down in a notebook and pretend I'm writing lyrics for a new song...

CashierCantin

I over guesstimate and stick with easy things to log. I try not to go out too much while losing weight because it IS hard to determine portion sizes. I'm getting better but that is why I over guesstimate...that way I do eat less during the day and hope for a maintain or maybe even a loss on the scale.

Most chain restaurants have their menus online so if you know where you're going you can pick out your dinner ahead of time.

If you don't know where you're going until you get there, then just half the whole plate and over guesstimate your calories to be on the safe side.

As for logging...I do it as I eat, or just before the dinner is served. I have the app on my phone. You can wait until you get home (if you're embarrassed) to log. I doubt you'll forget what you ate in a matter of hours.

Just make good choices and allow yourself a little wiggle room during the day in case you're stuck with something fried OR if you wanna share a dessert

redbird99

Look up choices ahead of time so you will know what choices are better. If you don't have time, go for the steak. Usually that doesn't have any added fats and with wise vegetable choices and a salad, is probably better than most other items.

Skip the bread, if you can. (I know, it is almost Irresistible, but try!) Also ask for the salad dressing on the side and the simpler the salad the better. All those things you can add really add up! When given a choice in vegetables, skip the potato if possible. Try to eat about half the entree.

I know, you have probably heard all these ideas before, but it helps me.

alleyrat

That is all helpful thanks! The restaurant trip went fine and I came in at my goal for the day! YAY! The menu was a special set menu and was printed out on paper so I added notes to that and took it home. The food was nice and healthy with salads and only one creamy sauce for the steak. I skipped dessert but was able to guesstimate that I could have a starter. So all went well and I feel very happy that hopping on the scales this morning showed no gain. (In the past with my undereating/binging pattern a trip to a restaurant would show a big gain on the scales).