Eating out: Evil Temptations

mamacassi
mamacassi Posts: 131
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Okay so I eat out maybe 2-3 times a week min. I go every wednesday to dinner with a pal, and every time he sort of takes control. I feel like I can or should be able to make a good decision but then I get there and have no idea how to calculate the calories! I prefer non food chains so that makes it so much worse. How can I know what Im eating? Or make a choice I can own up to? This is my biggest issue so far.

Replies

  • kajaknowers
    kajaknowers Posts: 113 Member
    my advice would be to order food thats quite simple and that you kind of know the calories....for instance, I went out yesterday and ordered a chicken and bacon salad minus the bacon and dressing so I knew exactly how many calories I was consuming. Always avoid pasta dishes and the sauces can be very misleading a range considerably from one place to another.

    x
  • mvl1014
    mvl1014 Posts: 531
    "takes control" as in pics the restaurant? or as orders for you!?!

    Just make sure you order SIMPLE entrees. Grilled lean meats (not grilled in butter, as is common) with side of veggies. :-) Stay away from free bread or chips on the table and watch the dressings/dips/sauces.
  • 2bskinnyagain1978
    2bskinnyagain1978 Posts: 32
    Apple Bees has low calorie meals under 600 cal they have a good chicken with portabellos but the safest bet is grilled chicken forgo the potatoes for a vegetable and brown rice and a salad with light dressing or carry your own .. we also love sweet tomatoe or souplantation and they have all their calories etc in the database for both applebees and sweet tomatoes .. good luck .. also if u get the book eat this not that the restraunt and fast food guide it helps too..
  • ZebraHead
    ZebraHead Posts: 15,207 Member
    Hi,

    We also eat out a few times a week. We have our 'favorite' places to eat. I know the menus fairly well now, and my selections for the evening are usually known to me in advance. I have taken the time to lookup on the web or build my own 'food items’ in MFP based on what I get at that restaurant. Spending this time allows me to enjoy going out knowing what my options are depending on where we go to eat.
    Sometimes you can find nutritional info for specific dishes. I have found some chain restaurants (not fast food :smile: ) listing their menus online.
  • cymills
    cymills Posts: 133 Member
    I have no idea where wwe will eat tonight - let alone my choices. My husband is picking me up form work and we have limited time until we are off to a meeting. I thought perhaps their is a "Subway". I checked the subway option ( club sandwich) and it states 1300 mg sodium! OMG - seriously!? I Googled the area we shall be in but that was not helpful . OK - what to do?
  • ZebraHead
    ZebraHead Posts: 15,207 Member
    Cymills -

    That's a little different. The great unknown. :ohwell: For myself I would look for salads w/ grilled chicken/fish, no croutons, no breads. (I'm off of grains). Meals gotten during a 'rush' that can't be planned out require some quick thinking on your feet, if your brain says 'no', you should listen. Something small and light to hold you over until you can get back to your own kitchen can also keep you honest. Hang in there...
  • cymills
    cymills Posts: 133 Member
    Ok - I tried, I really tried and made conscious decisions. It was decided , in advance, we would go the a mexican place. I ate NO chips in that damn basket in front of me. I had NO salsa. I ordered a beef quesadilla off the appetizer menu - for dinner.
    I drank water. I had ONE margarita (no salt) For those who really know me..I would forgo dinner for ONE ( yes, just one) maragarita. I had saved almost 800 calories prior to going out. I still went over today's entire calorie count by 69 calories .
    Oh well!! The best thing about today - IT IS OVER!!!!
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