Eating Out

shariTN

What are some of the best low calorie FILLING meals at restaurants? Doesn't help if they are only 500 calories, but you are starving 30 minutes later. Low cost would be great too.

Nelski

That is too vague of a question. What kind of restaurant? Filling up on protein and veggies with minimal extras(butter, sauces, cheese,e tc) is probably the healthiest way to go.

SueInAz

With those criteria, I'd recommend Subway. Stick to the sandwiches which are listed as being under 300 calories. If you're more hungry, get a footlong instead of a 6" and put the filling from the second half into the bread from the first half. Footlongs are only $5 this month.

shariTN

That is too vague of a question. What kind of restaurant? Filling up on protein and veggies with minimal extras(butter, sauces, cheese,e tc) is probably the healthiest way to go.

Sorry was thinking more along the lines of sit down restaurants. Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesdays, Applebee's, etc.

shariTN

With those criteria, I'd recommend Subway. Stick to the sandwiches which are listed as being under 300 calories. If you're more hungry, get a footlong instead of a 6" and put the filling from the second half into the bread from the first half. Footlongs are only $5 this month.

That is an awesome idea!

mellers1313

That is too vague of a question. What kind of restaurant? Filling up on protein and veggies with minimal extras(butter, sauces, cheese,e tc) is probably the healthiest way to go.

Now that is an excellent idea. Thanks for the tip.... xx

jcgodsey

Try Applebee's. They've got several portions under 550 calories and they are filling.

pam_williams

Check the restaurants web-sites for nutritional info. Most have it available or will provide it on request. I've been doing this to pre-plan what I order. It helps keep me on track when I go out to eat.

Personally, I love McAlisters Deli. I can have a meal for under 500 calories and not feel deprived or hungry later.

MaximalLife

Why even go?

kelfromhell

I've found almost any restaurant will grill a piece of fish or chicken and steam some veggies....just ask. It's something I learned in Weight Watchers, you don't always have to stick to the menu....unless it is a soup or casserole or something premade or frozen, they will often accomodate when possible, so just ask. There is a BBQ joint near me that will do a $4 chicken breast on the side and a $4 side of steamed aspargus, I ask for there BBQ sauce and it's a full meal!

Also, I know you didn't want fast food, but jimmy john's in lettuce wrap (unwich) are really low. Turkey tom this way is under 100 calories....

mikibeth

I always order salads to be on the safe side. Load up on water and tea with the meal.
I always order a salad with lean meat and tons of veggies.
I order my dressing on the side.
If I'm feeling hungry I order a bowl of fruit with it.

beckylawrence70

Eating out is almost impossible im my opinion, just something you have to pretty much cut out of your life unfortanately.....what's the joy in going out to eat and you can't eat anything, just eat at home unless you want to blow your calories everytime you go out......sucks, I know........

runbyme

Applebee's is my restauant of choice! They have 6 different under 550 calorie meals that are awesome. You won't be hungry in an hour! Their sirloin and herbed shrimp is delish! Plus you can go online and download all the nutritional info so that you can track it. Several of the under 550 meals are already in MFP's database!
Many of the sit downs have "lite" options nowadays and most of their nutritional info can be downloaded off their websites as well!

Good luck to you!

Must add though that the sodium for most restaurant food is off the chart!

Melyssaks

Since I only work part time I'm always watching my money. I find that many of the healthier options (like meat/ veggies or a nice salad with more then lettuce on it) can get pretty pricey. I usually go with some kind of grilled chicken sandwich (these are usually around 400 calories most places) with a side salad (dressing on the side). It ends up being about 500-600 calories and fills me up. Hope that helps!

mspears1198

You could opt for low calories options. The resturants you mentioned have good options. Or you can get a regular meal and only eat half of it and place the remaining portion in a box. I have found the low calorie options are very small portions. Also, you have do better filling up on veggies and ordering a protein from the appetizers menu. I hope this helps.

kelfromhell

Oh, another standby is ordering a plain baked potato, with a side of salsa....

shariTN

Why even go?

I enjoy it. I raised a house full of youngans and cooked huge meals for years. I stayed home and cleaned and cook. We were always broke and never went out to eat. I am now remarried most of my children are out of the house or pretty independent and my new husband loves to take me out to eat! I love been waited on every now and then! ;-)

mgdiock

Try Applebee's. They've got several portions under 550 calories and they are filling.

Yes. I love the steak and portabello filled with creamed spinich....YUM!

CallieM15

Subway is good... Ill usually get a KIDS blackforest ham, with a chicken noodle soup, and apple chips. About 350 calories.

Applebees has a good steak/double veggie dish thats under 600 calories. The protien and veggies always keep me full.

Our local grocery store has wraps that have turkey, cranberry creamcheese and a lot of lettuce, only 368 calories for 2 huge ones.

Chili’s has a dish that’s like a Chicken… something. Lol sorry for the vagueness. It’s kind of like a wrap, but it’s DELICIOUS. It’s one of their fit meals and its under 600 calories. It gets served with a side of corn on the cobb. Nummy.

lin7604

Why even go?

really? everyone should still get out there and enjoy somewhat of a normal outing! boy life would be pretty boring and redundant is you never went out! just be smart about it and you'll be fine. you are allowed to go over your calories once in awhile if your smart about it and it's not all the time! why live a life that is so strict that you can't even go out and enjoy yourself? not the way i would want to live my life, that's forsure.... like many said, applebees is a good choice...

crimsonson77

I have had this problem since starting my journey in January. I eat out every day for lunch. I work with my dad and we have always eaten out. So instead of breaking his habits to fit my new lifestyle, I adapted. I have been to numerous restaurants to where I thought I would not be able to stick with it. But here's the truth, there is something at every place I have been to that is low in fat, calories, sodium, etc that I can eat, that fits my dietary guidelines. If you have a smartphone, Google the restaurant you are going to and check the nutritional info before you get there or while you are waiting.

lukeout007

Try Applebee's. They've got several portions under 550 calories and they are filling.

This...

The under 550 menu includes steak and seafood and every meal includes sides. It's pretty good.

ericapage

If you have an Applebees or TGI Friday's nearby those are great places with low cal/fat options. I LOVE the dragonfire chicken from Fridays!

msjamartin

I try and choose restaurants that I can research and pre-plan before I go. I try to choose something with a lot of veggies and lean meats without cream sauces. For instance, if I'm going to an italian restaurant I look for something with whole wheat pasta, marinara and grilled chicken. I'll have a dinner salad with a light dressing. I stay away from the bread and the desserts. When they want to grate parmesan I let them but I keep it really low.

I always go on line and look for menu's and nutrition. Try and keep to your normal rules for when you cook yourself and many places will let you customize certain meals (i.e. remove the cheese, change the pasta, not add the side breads etc)

One other trick...ask for a to-go container when they bring the entree. Cut it in 1/2 and put in the container for lunch the next day. Many of the meals at these restaurants are 900-1500 calories, manly due to portion size. If you cut it in half to start you get all the goodness of the meal but 1/2 the calories.

courtneymal17

I like applebees (they have the under 550 meals, but I've found some others...the paradise salad, and chipotle lime chicken dish) that are even less...along with some of their soups or salads with things cut out (dresssings and such). For quick lunch type I like Jimmy Johns or Potbellys, both of them have turkey subs that are around 300ish calories...JJ's I get it wihtout mayo or cheese & add avocado spread

SueInAz

That is too vague of a question. What kind of restaurant? Filling up on protein and veggies with minimal extras(butter, sauces, cheese,e tc) is probably the healthiest way to go.

Sorry was thinking more along the lines of sit down restaurants. Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesdays, Applebee's, etc.

Red Lobster's wood grilled menu is a good option. Not exactly cheap but if you get double broccoli and skip the biscuits, you can easily have a very filling meal for around 500-600 calories that's also low carb.

sjv1966

As others have said doing your research before you go is key. Once you are armed with good information you can decide what fits into your plan. For example recenly my co-workers all decided to eat at Popeyes Chicken. I looked online (and in the MFP food database) and found out I could have a thigh, drumstick and side of mashed potatoes with gravy for a total of 550 calories. That fit into my plan for the day. What did NOT fit into my plan was the 260 calorie biscuit that comes with the meal! I told them to hold that and I enjoyed my chicken and mashed potatoes. My co-workers never knew and I didn't have to skip a fun outing.

Another example -- last night I went to the theatre with friends and we had dinner before the show. Before I went I looked up the calories of different things on the menu and decided to get a blue cheese burger but had them replace the fries with a green salad. That change made the meal doable for me and again I was able to be with my friends and have fun without blowing it.

Going out to eat is a huge part of my social life -- but Iam figuring out how to make it work. The research helps but this website helps too because it allows me to see how those meals fit into the bigger picture.

thepanttherlady

I know this isn't a "sit down" restaurant but if you have a Flame Broiler near you I highly recommend them. I get a mini chicken bowl with brown rice and am full for hours. It's only 376 calories, 308 if you ask for all white meat. I add one small container of their "magic" sauce and one of the hot sauce and quick add about 120 calories for them. Still under 500 calories.

They also offer veggie bowls, veggie instead of rice etc. They're very healhty and quite yummy!

CaliVictoria

Sometimes for me, and my hectic schedule, I often don't get dinner time til 10 or 11 pm. There isn't much open at that time other than 24 hour places like Denny's or Ihop. Well I found something at Denny's that is actually really really good. It's very filling and its only 330 calories. It's called the Fit Fare Veggie skillet. It's roasted potatoes, spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, onions, red and green bell pepper, topped with 3 egg whites.

busyPK

I still enjoy going out to eat and you CAN do it even when trying to loss weight. I tend to stay with more of a chain restaruant or one that you can look up their menu on line and see the nutritional value. My favorites are Outback, Macaroni Grill, Applebees, Chipotle and Chilis.

cadams0715

Like a lot of replys I like Applebee's and Subway. I just started in January so I try to avoid restaurants that I know I can't say "no" to. Such as places that offer unlimited bread, or chips and salsa. Some day I hope to have the willpower to go and say no to the unlimited bread.