out to dinner

aec23

Hello all

I am new to MFP... just started this week. I have a very long road ahead of me but feel confident that I am on the right track.

I was just wondering... when you were just starting to lose weight and track your food here... how did you handle going out to dinner? Was it something you avoided at first? Or did you just focus on healthier choices, etc. I am wondering because I don't know how to calculate a meal out. (especially if the restaurant isn't a chain with readily available nutritional values).

Any tips or suggestions?

lanzaroteblue

Hi there,
I decided early on to have one day 'off' and that until I get to terms with
calories and making the right choices, that this wuld be the only day
I would go to a restaurant.
I do try and make sure I eat something healthy before I go so I'm not
going to eat everything in sight, I drink lots of water, I try and do some
excersice on that day for extra caloires and I make sure I don't feel guilty
afterwards.
Everyone is different but this is my choice to be able to balance a healthy
start and a social life.
I reserve the right to change my stratagy at any point if it stops working
for me.
I hope this helps a little and good luck with your journey
Nicola x

AmyRhubarb

It is harder if it's not a chain & doesn't have nutritional info posted. If they do have the info available, it definitely helps me to make my choice of what to order. Often times I divide whatever I order in half as soon as it arrives, & take the uneaten portion home for lunch the next day (or hubby & I will split a meal). Then I can still enjoy the meal without getting the entire dose of calories in one sitting (as so often restaurant meals are 700 calories or more, and the portions are huge!) If it's not a chain, then I just do my best to estimate the calories based on whatever similar foods in the MFP database. And still usually only eat half the meal.

kleighsamboer

I don't go out. i create restaurant quality dishes at home that are lower in calories. If you do plan on going out do research online first. find a restaurant that has healthy options and pick out what you are going to eat before you go.

megsmom2

I cook at a restaurant, so I could certainly make things myself....but I enjoy eating out and the whole dining experience. I try to check out menus ahead of time, or go places we've gone before, so I can decide ahead of time what I'm going to have, and plan my day accordingly. If I know I'm going to Carrabbas tonight (chicken Bryan...omg) I'll be eating a little lighter earlier in the day, and doing a bit of extra time at the gym, so I can enjoy my dinner guilt free. It's just a matter of planning ahead, and then sticking to your plan.

VeganPanda

Hi! I like to look at the menu online beforehand and find the healthiest things, then log it before I even go out so I have to stick to what i logged.

Best of luck! Going out to eat is not an issue if you plan it in advance.

jessie1480

I like to plan ahead and allow for the extra calories if I know that I am going out. I guess a bit because I love small mom and pop places. You are counting calories to better enjoy life, if you go over here and there it's not the end of the world, you will just try harder not to do it next time. But if you don't go out to eat because you don't know how to count the calories how is that enjoying life? I know that it sounds lax but it is working well for me.