what restaurants do you choose when you want to go out?

Berto0391

I eat at any one I want. I don't eat it everyday but I do try to get in some workout everyday,

Brianna72994

I love Panera. Its kinda expensive, but its organic

sarahisme18

I like to choose somewhere with a black bean or veggie burger option—especially when eating out with others. Otherwise, I like to choose sushi or mongolian grill style places for eating out. Seafood is good too—not fried like Long John Silver's, more like an actual sit-down, seafood restaurant.

maryjay52

most restaurants have websites .. choose what you are going to order before you go in there

Chrissiecurit

Applebee's and Longhorn Steakhouse both have good options for me as I only like chicken. lol In fact, we are going to Applebee's tonight. I always get the Honey Dijon chicken (with no portebellos).

Deeders

I like Applebees, but go online and check restraunts you have locally (especially chain restraunts) and check out the menu and the nutrition on them, then also ask for a to go box and take off whatever is over your portion or whatever and take it home for lunch or freeze it for a later date

Deeders

you can go into setting and change the sugar limits on your diet

KipDrordy

Wherever I want. Just about any restaurant has something on the menu that fits into my caloric budget. Sometimes, I ignore that section and go over, but I do log it and usually end up being guilted into exercising more when I get home as a result. My goal is to not eat more calories than I burn. I don't mind being calorically neutral once in a while as long as it isn't too often.

debbo25

You can replace fries with steamed veggies at most places, even if it doesn't say it on the menu. Thai food is vegetarian friendly usually. Just watch the sauces, garlic sauces or light sauces are probably lower in fat then the curries or peanut sauces.
Chinese food has lots of steamed veggie dishes. Panda express is pretty good too, if you avoid the fried stuff.
Outback is good with the woodfire grill. Egg dishes are usually low carb, just minus the cheese to have less fat.
Sushi can be good if you don't get the cream cheese choices.
Drink unsweetend tea or diet soda or water.
Stay away from fancy mixed drinks, they have a ton of extra calories and sugar.
Light beer or liquor with club or tonic water and a lime.

Source: http://www.helpguide.org/life/fast_food_nutrition.htm
The Big Taco Chains

LESS healthy choices

Crispy shell chicken taco
Refried beans
Steak chalupa
Crunch wraps or gordita-type burritos
Nachos with refried beans
Adding sour cream or cheese

HEALTHIER CHOICES

Grilled chicken soft taco
Black beans
Shrimp encalada
Grilled “fresco” style steak burrito
Veggie and bean burrito
Limiting sour cream or cheese

KipDrordy

LESS healthy choices

Crispy shell chicken taco
Refried beans
Steak chalupa
Crunch wraps or gordita-type burritos
Nachos with refried beans
Adding sour cream or cheese

HEALTHIER CHOICES

Grilled chicken soft taco
Black beans
Shrimp encalada
Grilled “fresco” style steak burrito
Veggie and bean burrito
Limiting sour cream or cheese

Actually, the hard taco shell has less calories than the soft flour tortilla. I've found that I can eat 3 taco shells (150 calories) and still take in less calories than 2 flour tortillas (160). Some flour tortillas are off the charts. A chicken hard shell taco made with boneless, skinless breast meat is a fantastic, low calorie food that you can eat plenty of whereas the bulk of your calories from a soft taco comes from the flour tortilla itself.

http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/nutrition-calories/food/old-el-paso/taco-shell/ [/url]
http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/nutrition-calories/food/la-banderita/low-carb-low-fat-soft-taco-shell/

spud_chick

Whether I'm planning to eat light or have something crazy I try to eat at places that have calorie information online now that I've started my MFP food diary. I just want to be accurate in my entries, regardless of whether I'm being bad or good.

Red Robin is one we go to a lot because they have the online customizer and there's also a great frozen yogurt place right next to ours called Bobalicious that has calories online. Chipotle, O'Charley's (local chain I think) and even Friendly's have lighter options.

And it sounds wicked, but The Cheesecake Factory has a great "skinny" menu. I've had a salmon salad and a turkey burger from it that were fantastic, and if you split one of the lighter cheesecake flavors with a friend it's actually possible to have a lovely meal there that isn't totally out of control. And joy of joy, the leanest cheesecake on their list is the pumpkin, which is only just coming back into season

adamb83

Cheesecake Factory's new Skinnylicious menu is aiight. I usually get the flatbread pizza.

MyOwnSunshine

You can eat almost anywhere if you change your order up a bit -- I never get fries or baked potato as my side. I ask for fruit or steamed veggies instead. Lettuce wrap your burger. Order a plainish protein instead of pasta dishes.

Red Robin -- love their burgers lettuce wrapped with freckled fruit salad on the side.

Chipotle -- Burrito bowl with double meat but only eat half and save half for another meal. (Lots and lots of protein that way!)

Panera/Paradise Bakery -- but check calories on their website before ordering, because some of their items appear healthy but are packed with calories! (This was the site of my 750 calorie pumpkin bran muffin debacle.)

Famous Dave's BBQ -- they have menu selections that are under 600 calories. I like the "naked ribs" that are served with steamed broccoli and grilled pineapple as sides.

Really, most places cater to calorie counters by offering lighter menu items. The best advice is to check their website before you go so you don't get an unexpected surpise when you log something that you thought would be healthy and the calories are through the roof. Restaurant salads are one of the worst offenders -- really high in fat and calories. Simple proteins with fruit/veggie sides are usually a fine choice no matter where you're eating.

JasonDetwiler

You can get a plain grilled chicken breast and steamed vegetables almost anywhere.

Or a steak if that's your thing.

WendyTerry420

Local as much as possible, they have the best food. And I want quality food if I'm really going big. No sense wasting a meal out on some chain restaurant or fast food.

If you're eating out pretty rarely, don't worry about the meal, enjoy it and get back on track the next day. If eating out is a weekly or daily occurrence, maybe look for some lighter options. A big salad with lots of veggies, good fats and protein is always an easy choice or a steak or chicken entree with steamed veggies and rice.

^^ This

Eating at chain restaurants is no better than fast food in most cases. And eat what you want, make it fit as best you can. Eat half of your meal and save the other half for a different meal. Enjoy your night out!

AnnaVee84

Eating at chain restaurants is no better than fast food in most cases. And eat what you want, make it fit as best you can. Eat half of your meal and save the other half for a different meal. Enjoy your night out!

^^ I agree! If it's a new place, I'll check out the menu before to get an idea of what to order or work out a little bit longer...not so picky because I want to enjoy my night out! The hardest thing is alcohol when eating out!!

Krissy366

Thanks all for the update on the Outback! I had no idea they had finally done that. That is good news indeed, as I do like to occasionally indulge in their food.

myjoybella

Sometimes I pick Mimis because they have a healthy section on their menu. It only has about five things on it, so I've grown tired of the selections! Especially since a lot of the other stuff on their menu is **very** high in calories.

I will also go to Chilis. They have a few lighter selections. In some of them, they substitute brocolli for french fries. I really like brocolli so that works for me!

We have a Mimis in our area. I am going to have to check that out.

bcattoes

Sushi is healthy if you choose right.

Many restaurants have a small lean steak or grilled chicken breast option. Choose that with a veggie side(s). A baked sweet potato with a salad or steamed/grilled veggie is also a good option. A broth based soup or chili with a sweet potato and/or veggie side can also be a healthy option.

Klopford

My family likes Chili's. And I really like some of their "lighter choice" items. Grilled chicken sandwiches are usually my go-to food when I go out somewhere anyway, just because they're better for you than some other things.