Going out to eat.

xoalyssaox
xoalyssaox Posts: 318 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I was asked to go out to eat today, but I really do not want to go. I have been doing so good lately, and I do not want to be held back. Going out to eat is hard for me, because I always overeat.

But not going out to eat, would also mean I would not be able to go to my step kid's soccer game, because it's 45 minutes away and they are going out to eat right afterwards.

I don't want to go and just eat salad, b/c then I would be hungry the rest of the day. I am only on day 5 of this and I do not want to mess up right now.... HMPH!

Is it wrong for me not to go?

Replies

  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    I would go and just make healthy choices. No cheese or sauce on anything. Salad with dressing on the side, no croutons. Add 2 veggies instead of potatoes. If the portion is large take some home.
  • xoalyssaox
    xoalyssaox Posts: 318 Member
    I would go and just make healthy choices. No cheese or sauce on anything. Salad with dressing on the side, no croutons. Add 2 veggies instead of potatoes. If the portion is large take some home.

    Thats the problem, I don't like veggies... I am slowly trying to start eating them.
  • stylistchik
    stylistchik Posts: 1,436 Member
    Tell them you're going to the game and you'll have to re-schedule. It sounds like you want an excuse not to go and that's a reasonable one.
  • juicyfruitkk
    juicyfruitkk Posts: 95 Member
    It's hard going out to eat in my opinion because you want to eat the stuff you don't normally eat.. You can always find something somewhat healthy though or just order what you want if you have the calories remaining for it, have them pack up half of it to take home and then you just eat a smaller portion. Applebees offers meals for 500 calories, so not all going out is "bad". Good luck!
  • JanetLM73
    JanetLM73 Posts: 1,226 Member
    If I know I'm going out, I find out where and see if they have a menu online with the nutritional values and try to plan. If they don't, then I just try to make healthy choices.
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    Tell them you're going to the game and you'll have to re-schedule. It sounds like you want an excuse not to go and that's a reasonable one.

    ^^Agree.
  • angiechimpanzee
    angiechimpanzee Posts: 536 Member
    Ugh, I know EXACTLY what you mean. Last Monday I had just resolved to get back on track, then a friend wanted to go to IHop for her birthday. I overate, and although I accept that it was my fault, it truly is a lot harder to monitor your intake and make the right choices when you're out to eat with friends, especially when you're just getting back on your feet.

    I'd say just make the best choice you can or at the very least eat half your plate and take the rest for takeaway. Going out to eat always kills me too.
  • unicornpoop
    unicornpoop Posts: 178 Member
    If you have to go. Get something that's not terrible and then box up half to go home right as you get your plate. Then you will only eat half of it.
  • adrian_indy
    adrian_indy Posts: 1,444 Member
    Fish
  • EchoOfYourPast
    EchoOfYourPast Posts: 459 Member
    If it is a common restaurant....search the nutrition values ahead of time to help you choose caloriewise :)
    San :)
  • melanielynn123
    melanielynn123 Posts: 53
    Do you know which restaurant they are going to go to? Most places have nutritional info listed on their website. I try to look up the menu before I go out to eat and plan what I can order before I ever get to the restaurant. So far, this has worked really well for me. I can eat out without feeling guilty, have a nice meal that fits within my allowances for the day and.....I have noticed that it kinda inspires the some of the others at the table to make a healthier choice in ordering their meal.

    Good luck. I hope you are able to go and enjoy the meal with good company.:happy:
  • dorothytd
    dorothytd Posts: 1,138 Member
    When you're starting to get in your "groove" with healthy eating, meals out are tough. Sometimes you can say no to a meal out, sometimes you can't. My strategy is to think ahead. If the place has a nutritional website, check it out. You don't have to eat salad. But pick something and stick to it. I have "go to" choices at most places. If it is somewhere unfamiliar with no information, the basics are always good - grilled chicken or fish, maybe some rice if you hard time with the veggies. Broth-based soup is a good choice, too. Good luck!
  • H2gmom
    H2gmom Posts: 6
    With my kids schedules, I have to eat out all of the time. I try to stick to chain restaurants so that I can find the calories on MFP app. I also have a problem with veggies but I am learning. If you get input into where you go, choose Applebees if there is one around. They have a lot of meals that are under 550 calories. Also, I allow Sat to be my "cheat" day so I can eat something that I have been craving. I usually only go over 200 calories which keeps me within my BMR. You can always go for a walk to burn those extra calories. That is one of the reasons that I love MFP, I can eat what I want, within reason, and still lose weight. I have lost 18 lbs and I have only been doing this for 9 weeks. It will be ok if you go over once in a while just not all of the time. So, go to the game and enjoy yourself!
  • wannagetfit02
    wannagetfit02 Posts: 49 Member
    I am going out today also to see my daughter and new daughter in law. I am buying them a dress. I just looked up Chili's and Applebees. They both have a light menu. The nutrition info is online. I say to look up the nutritional value of a couple of restaurants that you usually go to. Plan ahead what you will be eating. That way you can go and enjoy the company without the stress of worrying about what to eat. Have fun.
  • Newhampshireboy
    Newhampshireboy Posts: 30
    go see your family memories last forever,
  • htmlgirl
    htmlgirl Posts: 314 Member
    If you know you are going out look at the menu ahead of time (if possible), exercise beforehand to get extra calories, box up half of the meal to start with, drinks lots of water with your meal, and try to find something healthy on the menu. You could always eat something small at the restaurant (like a salad) and eat a nutritious meal afterward.
  • delilah47
    delilah47 Posts: 1,658
    When I have the opportunity to go out to eat, I always Google with "menu *name of restaurant*". You'd be surprised how many have their menus with nutritional info there. Also, a lot of the time you can look up the meal from the menu right here in the MFP database. At least that way you can have an idea of what you will be eating and fit it into your food plan for the day.
  • ambrosdm
    ambrosdm Posts: 21 Member
    Eating out is a big part of my life -- it's one of the main social activities that I engage in. While I still want to lose weight, I don't want to give up my social life. You have to remember that watching what you eat and making healthy choices (and exercising and whatever else you're doing to lose weight) is the beginning of a new lifestyle, not a "diet". You need to make sustainable changes in your life that will lead to gradual weight lose and that you can continue on the future to keep the weight off. I don't think it's reasonable to say you'll never eat out again, you just have to plan when you do.
    First, don't go to a restaurant ravenous -- eat a snack beforehand (a protein bar/a special K bar/a piece of fruit whatever) so you're not scarfing down the bread or tortillas or whatever they put on the table while you're waiting to order.
    Second, if you're going to a chain, look up the nutritional info on line and limit your selection to the healthier choices (I've found that all places have at least a few healthy choices). You'd be surprised at the calorie counts. Some things that you'd think would be "low cal" are much higher than others that might seem more caloric (and more desirable). You don't know until you look at the numbers. Armed with the real information allows you to make wise choices, not just guess. If you really feel that you have to skip going out for a while until you get your willpower under control, then do so. But just know that you CAN (and will) continue to lose weight as long as you continue to count your calories and make a reasonable attempt to stay under or near your limit. Good Luck! And HAVE FUN -- YOU CAN DO THIS!
  • HollyAus
    HollyAus Posts: 241 Member
    If I know I'm going out, I find out where and see if they have a menu online with the nutritional values and try to plan. If they don't, then I just try to make healthy choices.

    Even if it's fast food you usually can look it up online. Also plan that entire DAY of meals then you can see where you can cut calories to save some for going out. It's doable, and YOU can do it too. and if you go over a little, that's OKAY!! Don't freak out and give up lol!
  • beckylawrence70
    beckylawrence70 Posts: 752 Member
    Eat half of the meal.........
  • 81Katz
    81Katz Posts: 7,074 Member
    Eat something healthy and filling before you go so you won't be tempted to over-eat. I agree with looking up the menu/nutritional information online. If they don't have it then try to make the best choice(s) possible. Get dressing on the side, ask for no cheese, etc. Whatever meal you plan to eat most restaurants will make substitutes should you ask.

    I sometimes get nervous about eating out too. But if I plan it well I do pretty well with it and actually enjoy myself. I have also made many requests of substitutes at restaurants and they never told me no.
  • Jenn807
    Jenn807 Posts: 8
    That is exactly what I do too. First find out where you are going and do your best to plan ahead. I would log what you are going to order before you even walk in the door then you are more likely to get that instead of changing your mind. Then when food comes as for a to-go box. Put 1/2 of meal in box then eat the rest. Now you have lunch or dinner for tomorrow too!!!!
  • thinclo
    thinclo Posts: 164 Member
    i really enjoy going out to eat and its rare I go so when I do I already know in my head I wont really restrict myself. I just order what I would usually have but make small changes so that I dont feel as if I am missing out. for example swapping fried rice for bolied rice etc. And I usually have a pudding too, but I just dont eat it all. I leave around a third or share a pudding with someone else. If I order soft drinks I make sure they are diet. Then I make sure I exercise a bit extra when I get back and drink lots of water incase the meal contained a lot of sodium. Its worked for me so far. Everyone needs treats now and again!


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  • kdeaux1959
    kdeaux1959 Posts: 2,675 Member
    You have to live life. Make your best choices when you go out but family is very important. You can be a little over one day (I was quite a bit over last night for a very similar reason)... But it is ok. I'll make it up today and not sweat it... (or actually I will sweat it... it is a gym day.. and usually my best gym day of the week!)... So sweating it is what I'll do... LOL> You want to lose weight for yourself and your family... It is important to continue to work on your goals but learn to make LIFESTYLE choices that you can LIVE with after you attain your goal. If it is only a DIET then when it is over, you will tend to only return back to old habits when it is over. It is about making lifestyle changes so that it is maintainable when your goal is achieved. That will make a long term change possible. Part of this journey is leaning how to incorporate what we have to do on a regular basis into our new lifestyle. Make healthy choices while you are there but if you go a little over.. It is ok... Do a little extra activity and you will be just fine. Best wishes on your journey.
  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    Just order a couple pieces of grilled chicken and broccoli.

    No reason why you can't just eat that.
  • Papillon22
    Papillon22 Posts: 1,160 Member
    You know, going out to eat is part of life. If you stopped doing that now while you're losing weight, once you arrive at your goal and start eating out again, you'd gain the weight back. That's why it's better to learn to fit those meals into your calorie allowance now. as others have said, try to check nutritional info before going. If that's not possible, go, enjoy yourself and plan a workout afterwards. It's not the end of the world, and you can certainly go back to making good choices in the next meal.
    Good luck! You can do this!
  • xoalyssaox
    xoalyssaox Posts: 318 Member
    I ended up NOT going. Instead I went shopping and bought running shoes and a yoga mat. I feel MUCH better then I would have if I went out :)
  • DonaA123
    DonaA123 Posts: 337 Member
    If I know I'm going out, I find out where and see if they have a menu online with the nutritional values and try to plan. If they don't, then I just try to make healthy choices.
    this is what i do 2
  • cheskax
    cheskax Posts: 25 Member
    My new fav place to go out is applebees! They have a 550 calorie section and also a weight watchers section... i ordered the sizzling asian shrimp and broccoli... it was yummy :)

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