Before and After FOOD CHOICES

tyranelson

Hi! I'm looking to discover how other people have changed what they order when eating out. Please post the following info:

1) Name of Restaurant:

2) Before MFP:

3) After: MFP

4) Calorie savings:

I find that I would much rather eat at home these days. However, when I travel or am in a situation when I do not have the option to eat at home (but need to eat a meal), I struggle with breaking free from old habits. EVEN THOUGH I do not enjoy the food I used to eat, I just don't know what to order besides the salad and frankly, sometimes those are not always appealing!

I know the tricks: drink water, order food not cooked in this and that, request half of meal to be boxed right away...I'm looking for plain, simple, practical ideas that will help me beyond these tips!

Thank you in advance! :happy:

bm99

1. Burger King
2. Whopper w/cheese and mayo (900+ cals?), large onion ring (600?), large soda (2-300), 2-3 containers of zesty sauce (150 each)
3. Whopper Jr, no cheese), medium onion ring, 1 container of zesty sauce, medium diet soda or water
4. Substantial! 700+

1. Pizza Hut
2. 1/2 large supreme pizza (or more!), couple breadsticks w/sauce, couple of cinna sticks, maybe some pasta, a soda
3. Personal size pizza , 1 breadstick , diet soda or water
4. A lot! Even though #3 is still high in calories, I can fit it into my day and it's a LOT less. Again, I'd say 700+ saved

editnonnalynn

This isn't what you are asking for, but............

When I eat out, I ask for the Nutrition Guide and they bring me a big notebook with EVERY menu item and all of the calories, fat, sat fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, proteins, etc! Then I look for items based on my needs. Applebees, Wendy's, Ruby Tuesday, Boston Market......They all have big thick nutrition guides for the asking. Some places have online guides, AND MFP has a lot of items to compare if you just type in Olive Garden and hit the nutrition button??

Hope that helps some? Grace to you as you figure it all out!

runnercheryl

My favourites are:

Pizza Hut:
Before: Regular Veggie Supreme Pizza (894 Calories)
After: Chicken Delight Pizzetta (461 Calories)
Calorie Saving: 433 Calories

McDonalds:
Before: McChicken Sandwich Meal (Large) (845 Calories)
After: Chicken Legend (On Its Own) (550 Calories)
Calorie Saving: 295 Calories

McDonalds:
Before: McChicken Sandwich Meal (Large) (845 Calories)
After: Chicken Nugget Happy Meal (400 Calories)
Calorie Saving: 445 Calories

aegisprncs

Although I stopped eating out as much, I still do a couple of times weekly. I don't have many chain restaurants where I live so I can't be helpful there but I do try to choose the healthier option on the menu and eat 1/2 or 1/4 of it. I tend to stick to grilled foods like chicken and have been eating a lot of grilled seafood. I just remove the the items that aren't desirable for my lifestyle. When I log, I chose one of the options that is there, albeit, not perfect. It is working for me. Just yesterday I went to an Italian restaurant and chose a grilled chicken wrap instead of have a plate full of pasta. Amazingly enuf, my choice inspired my co-worker to changer her order to the same thing. Its all about choices. Once you've chosen the more appropriate food and have eaten the correct potion, you will feel full and not want anything else. Another trick is to drink a glass of water before you go and have another when you're there. Good eating!

tyranelson

Whoa! HUGE changes! Please keep 'em coming! This is very helpful. Particularly the part about ASKING FOR THE NUTRITION booklet! I love that idea and would have never known!

Perfectdiamonds1

Name of Rest. : To many to mention :blushing:

Before MFP: hummm? over 2500 calories per day

After MFP: on a 1480 calorie journey right now

I have not really been to a resturant to eat since starting MFP. I may stop at Subway for a salad in the morning for my lunch, but I have started planning my meals and usually take a lunch or have a low cal. frozen dinner for lunch.

I do want to reward myself with Olive Garden when I reach a 25 pound weight lose

Peppychristian

bump

ashlinmarie

My favourites are:

Pizza Hut:
Before: Regular Veggie Supreme Pizza (894 Calories)
After: Chicken Delight Pizzetta (461 Calories)
Calorie Saving: 433 Calories

McDonalds:
Before: McChicken Sandwich Meal (Large) (845 Calories)
After: Chicken Legend (On Its Own) (550 Calories)
Calorie Saving: 295 Calories

McDonalds:
Before: McChicken Sandwich Meal (Large) (845 Calories)
After: Chicken Nugget Happy Meal (400 Calories)
Calorie Saving: 445 Calories

What is the Chcken legend? I have worked at McDonalds in 3 different states over the course of 9 years and have never heard of this! Not that I'd eat it, but I'm curious!

McDonalds:
Before: Sausage Egg and Cheese bagel meal with extra Breakfast sauce and large mocha (Over 1000)
After: Blueberry Oatmeal with medium sugar free vanilla iced coffee (380)
Calorie Saving: Over 620

McDonalds:
Before: Ranch BLT meal with mellow yellow (870)
After: Bacon Ranch Salad with no chicken, ranch dressing and croutons (350)
Calorie Saving: 520

I don't really eat out anymore, but since I work at McDonalds, I just try to make healthier choices.

I don't really eat out anymore, but I work at McDonalds, but

tyranelson

Name of Rest. : To many to mention :blushing:

Before MFP: hummm? over 2500 calories per day

After MFP: on a 1480 calorie journey right now

I have not really been to a resturant to eat since starting MFP. I may stop at Subway for a salad in the morning for my lunch, but I have started planning my meals and usually take a lunch or have a low cal. frozen dinner for lunch.

I do want to reward myself with Olive Garden when I reach a 25 pound weight lose

@ Perfectdiamond: I hear you on that...avoiding restaurants now because quite frankly, the choices I make do not usually get me closer to my goal. With it being unavoidable at times, however, I want to know what choices other people who are on similar journeys have made.

tyranelson

bump

I'm kind of new to MFP message boards...what does "bump" mean?

runnercheryl

What is the Chcken legend? I have worked at McDonalds in 3 different states over the course of 9 years and have never heard of this! Not that I'd eat it, but I'm curious!

It's here in the UK. It's like a luxury McChicken Sandwich. Much nicer chicken burger, a flour-topped brown ciabatta, mayo and batavia lettuce. It's higher calorie/fat etc than a McChicken Sandwich, but much, much more delicious so it makes a better 'meal'.

editnonnalynn

bump

I'm kind of new to MFP message boards...what does "bump" mean?

Whenever you post in a forum, you can return to it by looking in My Topics above the message boards. If you just post "bump" it shows up in your topics so you can check it later. It just means, "I have nothing to add, but I do not want to lose this thread..."

Peppychristian

1. Chick Fil A
2. Medium Chicken Sandwich Combo. with Chick Fil A Sauce, ketchup, two cups of sweet tea, and a small shake.=1775 cal.
3. 8 count nuggets, small fry, water, and a pack of bbq=605 cal.
4. Difference= 1170 cal.

1. Burger King
2. Whopper, Medium Fries, Medium Soda, Ketchup= 1280 cal.
3. Whopper Jr. w/ no mayo, value onion ring, water, ketchup= 420 cal.
4. Difference= 860 cal.

This is just a few examples. One of the first things I do is hunt out a nutrition menu and then make my choices based upon how many calories I have left for the day. Sometimes I treat myself to something special but I try to stay within my calories for the day.

Peppychristian

I usually go for grilled foods over fried if possible, nuggets, and wraps (beware of the sauce). I am like you though. A salad just doesn't cut it. I also am a potato addict so usually I will allow myself the smallest fry they sell or split a large fry with my girls.

angelashay42

Before MFP, I ate out ALL THE TIME. I always bought lunch, usually a bagel sandwich (~500 calories) and my husband and I went out to dinner at least once per week. I would order things like cheese enchiladas, grilled shrimp with mashed potatoes, pizza, and huge salads with full fat dressing.
I don't eat out nearly as much anymore. I bring my lunch and we only go out for dinner once a month now. I plan ahead of time what I am going to order. Chain restaurants have a nutrition guide posted online and I will choose one of the lowest calorie dishes. When there aren't any low-cal options, I order a la carte! This is a good tip: order off the sides menu! Get a baked sweet potato, steamed broccoli, brown rice, side salad, roasted vegetables, cup of soup, etc. Just make sure to limit yourself to 2-3 items because they add up quickly and stay away from anything buttered or cooked in oil.

chanson104

1) Hacienda

2) Before MFP: White cheese & bean dip: 278 calories, chips: 250 calories, Seafood A la Hacienda: 750 calories, Chocolate Mountain Mud Slide: 350 calories

3) After MFP: Salsa: 22 calories, Chips: 250 calories, Sizzling Fajita Chicken Salad with lemon juice for dressing (half at restaurant and half at home): 340 calories

4) Before -- 1628; After -- 612; difference -- 1016!!!

1) Applebees

2) Before MFP: Spinach & Artichoke dip: 750 calories, Fiesta Lime Chicken: 1200 calories

3) After MFP: French Onion Soup: 260 calories, Asiago Peppercorn Steak: 380 calories

4) Before -- 1950; After -- 640; difference -- 1310!!!

. . . and I wondered why I was fat!!!

momtokgo

Place: Wendys

Before: Spicy chicken burger with extra extra mayo, large coke and medium fries with Ketchup. A whopping 1, 390 calories. (almost my daily intake btw)

Now: Baked potato with margarine, salt and pepper, side salad with no dressing (I don't like it) and a diet coke or water. Total 330.

Difference: 1,060

tyranelson

1) Hacienda

2) Before MFP: White cheese & bean dip: 278 calories, chips: 250 calories, Seafood A la Hacienda: 750 calories, Chocolate Mountain Mud Slide: 350 calories

3) After MFP: Salsa: 22 calories, Chips: 250 calories, Sizzling Fajita Chicken Salad with lemon juice for dressing (half at restaurant and half at home): 340 calories

4) Before -- 1628; After -- 612; difference -- 1016!!!

1) Applebees

2) Before MFP: Spinach & Artichoke dip: 750 calories, Fiesta Lime Chicken: 1200 calories

3) After MFP: French Onion Soup: 260 calories, Asiago Peppercorn Steak: 380 calories

4) Before -- 1950; After -- 640; difference -- 1310!!!

. . . and I wondered why I was fat!!!

I know, right?!? I would say stuff like, "Why do I KEEP gaining weight? I don't even eat that much!" But my choices were based on my cravings alone rather than what was somewhat good for me while also satisfying my taste buds. I am truly in shock when I look at how many calories I used to consume each and every day/week! Now that I'm making more conscious, healthy choices, even the most stubborn pound on me will have to get the hell out of my way! With enough good choices, my body will have NO choice but to change!

robot_potato

Mcdonalds
Before- mcchicken meal w/large fries and coke plus a hot fudge sundae 1710 cals

After grilled chicken snack wrap, side caesar salad or small fries and a large caramel iced coffee or small fruit smoothie 540-660 cals

What a difference. I do still indulge in the sundae sometimes, but i usually skip the fries or have a side garden salad instead when i do.

lstnlondry

Whoa! HUGE changes! Please keep 'em coming! This is very helpful. Particularly the part about ASKING FOR THE NUTRITION booklet! I love that idea and would have never known!

I love when they're on the table or better yet on the menu! This alone has stopped me from making bad decisions!

JeanniebeanL79

Outback Steakhouse
Before: 1/2 rack ribs with aussie fries-1054
house salad with thousand island dressing-338
loaf of bread with butter-468
bloomin onion-1/3 onion-650
side of honey mustard to dip the fries in!-144
unsweetened iced tea
TOTAL-2654
After: 1/2 loaf bread with butter-234
ouback special steak 6oz.-254
mixed vegetables-96
house salad with thousand island dressing-338
unsweetened iced tea
TOTAL-972
AMOUNT CALORIES saved-1682!!!!!!!!!!!!!
** And it is also a treat to get this new meal, I must earn it with exercise......most of the time, I kept saying I would reward myself with braised short ribs meal (loaded with calories!!!) when I hit 20 pds lost, and then 25 pds. lost and now I am close to 30 but the new meal is so delicious and filling I dont need a fatty meal to sit in my stomach. The treat is the healthy meal. :-)

TheVimFuego

I am big on steak so that is usually my eat out option (doesn't happen often these days):

Before MFP (or more precisely before I tweaked my nutrition while using MFP): Garlic Bread to start then Steak with chips. A beer or two.

After MFP: Salad to start then Steak with extra veggies/salad and hold the chips. Red wine.

Calorie difference? No idea, the calories ain't the thing we me

BaconMD

I don't typically eat fast food much aside from Subway anymore, but here are a couple samples of mine:

McDonald's
Before: Big Mac x10-12
After: Quarter Pounder w/ cheese, medium fries, large coffee
Calorie savings: 4460-5530

Wendy's
Before: Baconator Double, Spicy Chicken, Large Fries x2, Medium Chocolate Frosty, 5-piece Chicken Nuggets
After: Ultimate Chicken Grill, Medium Fries, coffee
Calorie savings: 2300

tyranelson

I don't typically eat fast food much aside from Subway anymore, but here are a couple samples of mine:

McDonald's
Before: Big Mac x10-12
After: Quarter Pounder w/ cheese, medium fries, large coffee
Calorie savings: 4460-5530

Wendy's
Before: Baconator Double, Spicy Chicken, Large Fries x2, Medium Chocolate Frosty, 5-piece Chicken Nuggets
After: Ultimate Chicken Grill, Medium Fries, coffee
Calorie savings: 2300

Adolson13: Simply AMAZING! You may very well be my new HERO. That is all.

abencase

Bump

lisadlocks

I travel a lot as well. I am amazed at what I used to eat.

Red Lobster

Before
salad with two dressings on the side, Shrimp scampi, shrimp alfredo, 4 cheddar cheese biscuits and coke (2 refills)

After
salad, with 1/3 vinegrette provided on the side, Salmon, broccoli (I ask for the skinny/light menu and I also ask that no salt be added to the salmon or the broccoli) one cheddar cheese biscuit and water with lime. If I am more hungry, I ask for two servings of broccoli.

Kalynx

I started using MFP solely to track my sodium intake when told by kidney and heart doctor the next step with me was cut the sodium from diet (seriously cut! not just not your head and say you will try cut!) or we will discuss kidney dialysis next week.so OMG ..I made some changes, especially when eating out!!

McDonalds Before:
Breakfast - two sausage breakfast burritos 600 calories and 1660 mg sodium
or a sausage(no egg or cheese) mcgriddle 420 calories 1030mg sodium OR a big breakfast platter with hot cakes, 1090 calories and 2150 on sodium..omg.

Now: any flavor of oatmeal...they are all good! I prefer mine without any dried fruit..and just a tiny sprinkle of sea salt ...but the blueberry banana nut oatmeal is great!!! only 290 calories and 180 on sodium ...and very filling!! But I only go there as a special treat, maybe once a week. I prefer the breakfast stuff I pack in my food bag for work!!

Any other time of day..well we can just say I loveeee quarter and double quarter lbers with cheese, and the fries and chicken mc nuggets with BBQ sauce..I wont look it all up but just a 10 piece mc nugget is
470 calories and 900 mg sodium and throw on the 3 packs of BBQ I required with 60 calories and 260 mg sodium PER PACKET...ugh..I can never go back there, forget about the sodium in burgers, and salads in any forms with chicken!! seriously!! one measly hamburger with NO cheese is 260 calories and 570mg sodium..I can make something much tastier ..sure with more calories but WAY less sodium at home!!

Now: during the day the only things I get through the MickyD's drive through is 1. a value sized diet coke and a medium fries, medium fries is 380 calories and only 270 mg sodium...that and a diet coke yum!! hits the spot if I am lower on sodium and carbs/fat for the day and want a treat. or if I'm just craving fast food. OR I just get a side salad, no dressing. without the croutons only 20 calories and 10 mg sodium- goes great with any meal I make at home and much fresher/tastier than what I can prepare by buying salad fixins at home and i'm not huge on salad...so it usually goes to waste..very inexpensive at $1 a pop.

Tyran, I see you are in MN - if you are near a Culver's GO THERE, often!! LOL Stay away from burgers with processed cheese (American)..or bacon..but the DOUBLE Swiss sourdough melt is WONDERFUL!! and only 790 mg sodium for the WHOLE thing!!! Fries are very low sodium, under 100 mg ..and the lemon ice is soo smooth almost creamy like ice cream - very low or no sodium and not super high on sugar/carbs like other icy fruity drive through type things. Their side salads are good, too! But I do miss their soups...lol I believe their lower sodium content has to do with their FRESH ingredients.

I suggest when choosing to eat out, consider where they get their food, how its supplied. Check their nutrient info carefully - either their web site or check the MPF database. Places that use FRESH ingredients (including proteins) will have way lower sodium AND taste better than most other chain type restaurants..fast or sit down. And of course salad dressings/condiments a hidden diet killer!

**disclaimer - I realize not all people on MFP have issues with sodium so no need to say anything about my focus on that