Eating Out

It takes some planning but you can do it. If you know where you are going, you can prepare by knowing what to order ahead of time, or just eat half of what's on your plate and box the rest for lunch the next day. Even if you are at McDonalds, just because you can get a combo doesn't mean you have to. I get by with a big mac and a large unsweet tea and I don't feel like Im missing out on anything. Hope this helps.

Mmmm in my family, our favorite dining out meal is sushi so I do pretty well there. Spicy tuna roll with brown rice and 3 kinds of sashimi. YUM

As for otehr places, pick a lean protein. NO butter or added sauce. Example, filet with NO butter, baked potato with butter on side. I LOVE Mexican and I get fajitas with no oil. My local place thinks I am nuts (I also live in the fattest state in the nation so health concious people are a little rare in my parts).

Things I have learned to be wary of: Breads, soups, and sauces. One roll at Logans can set you back more calories than a whole chicken breast! A lot of places also have skinny/lighter fare. For noodles, some places will sub the whole grain. At Olive Garden, you can get plain breadsticks with no garlic butter. There are options. If you have a phone, there are aps that can help you choose.


OR, save your calories, work out some point during the day, and enjoy your dinner. I LOVE steak fries, and when we go near a Red Robin, I HAVE to stop and eat there. So I make sure I eat light beforehand and enjoy my dinner then!

I think the biggest thing is being honest and figuring out the best thing for you.

The PPs have some good ideas... What about salad with chicken for lunch giving you a bit more "wiggle room" for dinner?
There are so many restaurant foods on here and I've found it to be fairly extensive- you can usually find what you're looking for.

If there is bread, I take half of a roll or a piece and that's it. It is hard, but possible.
If portions are tough (aka they are large) you can ask for a smaller plate to split things up and put them somewhere else to bring home... If you don't like leftovers, you can do what I do and take something you don't like and put it on what you're not going to eat (ie: the rest of the french fries).

What types of restaurants do you frequent? Other than the bread baskets do you have any other "weaknesses"?

Can I ask why you eat out so frequently and if there is any thought about changing this?

-Say you'd rather stay home or don't want to eat out
-Get water or diet soda (helps cut off nearly 300 calories)
-Have chefs box half the meal if possible, or if you have good self control, only eat half. (Makes a 600 calorie meal only 300 calories)
-Order BROILED or BAKED fish if you can, never fried.
-Don't get any sides unless it's like coleslaw or a side salad, etc.

I have trouble too when I eat out! Good luck

So, I know that's it's bad or whatever but my family eats out like 3-5x a week! Any advice on what to eat? Even salads can be tricky. Grilled chicken and steamed veggies get boring when everyone else has burgers, fries and shakes.

there is no way you can just say "you know, I think I'll just stay in for the night"?

In today's economy, really, wouldn't it be better to stay home & have the whole family involved in prepping, cooking & cleaning up? Save the extra money for better, healthier foods... just a thought.
Health wise, those burgers, fries & shakes are a health risk waiting to happen if it hasn't already started. And nothing wrong with plain grilled chicken & veggies, pretty much what I eat every day for lunch & dinner, hasn't got boring yet.

Actually, have a burger, just make it a single, no cheese, mayo, or bacon. Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup and mustard. If you are watching carbs, you can even skip the bun. Skip the fries, fried onion rings, and milk shakes.

Turkey Burgers, Veggie Burgers.... skip the mayo and cheese on stuff. If you can get extra veg on things, do it. No cream based sauces or cheese. Research nutritional menu's before you go. If you can swap to whole grain and brown rice, do it. Half the portion of your meal, eat slowly and take the rest home. Water ideally, unsweetened tea with artificial sweetner or diet soda if you have to have it. Research what serving sizes are, so you can get used to eyeballing them. Salads can be a trap if they are served with deep fried chicken, extra cheese, carbs (like croutons or tortilla strips) and dressing.

Order the burger with no bun or "open faced". Order a kids size shake if you feel the need to have one. Instead of fries or potatoes, ask for double veggies.

Go for baked dishes or grilled. I'm sure most menus have some type of wrap on it with chicken, if it is fried, ask for grilled instead. If the restaurant offers bread to start, ask for an iced water as soon as you sit down and drink that instead of eating the bread. Or if your family agrees, ask for bread NOT to be brought out. If they want the bread, sit as far away as you can from it. Or ask if they could bring out some veggie sticks too and just eat those. If there is a salad bar, do that and just fill your plate with cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes or any other veggie you can munch on as finger foods.

As soon as your food comes, divid it by 1/2 or even into 1/4th. Ask for a to-go-box and put away at least half of it. But leave the healthy things, like the veggies or salad.

Personally I avoid pasta any time I am out, you get like 8 servings of pasta at restaurants. No reason to even go there. Ask if they offer a half plate. Look to see if there really is an age on the kids menu, sometimes there isn't and you can get away with ordering from it.

I get salads with fruit or avocado on them if that's an option since that seems to nix the need for dressing for me. I also sometimes do burgers without the bun, paired with a side salad...it changes up the routine of grilled chicken and veggies.

Grilled fish is also a great option.

I go out to eat really often too, and I have my healthy staples that I enjoy at most places that I frequent often. It's just a matter of planning ahead