I have a bad time eating out. Anyone else like me?

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Replies

  • Justkeepswimmin
    Justkeepswimmin Posts: 777 Member
    Obviously you do better at home but trying to lose weight does not mean you have to make the kids part of it. McDs is not the best for them but you can't deny them one of the special treats of childhood once in a while. They can have the occasional treat and you have the grilled chicken or garden salad. When I go to a restaurant, I simply stay away from the worst stuff on the menu. If it is a good place they will have somethings that are better than others for you, even McDonald's. Have fun with your kids, enjoy their giggles when you tell them where they are going and limit only yourself.

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    Ummm since when does McD have to be "one of the special treats of childhoood?" I can think of much tastier, possibly more high calorie but at least non artificial, treats that can be part of your childs 'childhood' memories. We don't have to buy into the fast food culture as a sold state and a 'given' in any family and child's life.
  • Justkeepswimmin
    Justkeepswimmin Posts: 777 Member

    I think eating out is fine so long as you make good choices. And I think kids will ask to go to places like Mcdo because they've been taught that it's some kind of treat.

    Exactly what i was just saying...if it's not what we'd treat ourselves with as adults why teach our kids to go down that path?
  • katiefridley
    katiefridley Posts: 151 Member
    We have a policy in my house. If it has a drive-thru, it is not going to happen. I haven't eaten food from a building with a drive-thru since high school (I'm 33!). When we go out to eat, it is at a sit down restaurant where I at least have the option of ordering something remotely healthy. Fast Food is the Devil, don't even think otherwise.

    This sounds a bit miserable. You are never going to let your kids taste McDoanld's ever?
  • Kelly_Runs_NC
    Kelly_Runs_NC Posts: 474 Member
    I just start MFP and this is my 4th day and I know when I have the money, the first thing my kids are gonna ask me is "mommy can we eat at mc Donald's?" talk about tempting right. Do any of y'all eat out too? I use to eat out almost everyday or every other day, but I noticed when I ate at home even home cooked meals before joining MFP that I had lost 13 lbs so I must have been doing something right by just eating at home. Hmmm. Anyone else eat out and if so what do you eat that is more healthier? For example: subway veggie delite is more healthier than mc Donald's anyway but of course I know my girls are gonna say "mommy I want chicken nuggets from mc Donald's!" now when they went to mc donalds in the past (they haven't been in while) they would always say "mommy do you want a chicken nugget from my happy meal? I'm full, I can't eat it all" my girls are slender girls, but one reason why I joined MFP was to set better eating examples for them. I thought about when I have the money offering them subway, but of course, im prepared to hear them say "I don't like subway!" when they use to always love subway but got so use to eating at mc d in the past all the time. Any advice on where to eat, what to eat when I'm out and about and going to the stores with them? How can I make it an exciting experience for all of us? Where would be a good place to take them to eat or what to eat from mc d more healthier because I heard the salads are very high calories too and I don't want to take them to subway all the time but I also don't want to eat mc d or unhealthy stuff from there and then they follow my lead and become overweight? Advice for the mom always on the go and having car rides for sometimes hours at a time? Thanks!!!

    That's why I don't eat out!
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    We have a policy in my house. If it has a drive-thru, it is not going to happen. I haven't eaten food from a building with a drive-thru since high school (I'm 33!). When we go out to eat, it is at a sit down restaurant where I at least have the option of ordering something remotely healthy. Fast Food is the Devil, don't even think otherwise.

    This sounds a bit miserable. You are never going to let your kids taste McDoanld's ever?

    Who on earth would anyone want their kids to taste McDonald's? I sometimes think it is quite selfish of parents to introduce their children to that sort of 'food'. It is the most unfulling rubbish I have had the misfortune to eat.
    It is so much nicer to have a properly cooked meal at a restaurant, where there is a decent variety and generally less artificiality.
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    We have a policy in my house. If it has a drive-thru, it is not going to happen. I haven't eaten food from a building with a drive-thru since high school (I'm 33!). When we go out to eat, it is at a sit down restaurant where I at least have the option of ordering something remotely healthy. Fast Food is the Devil, don't even think otherwise.

    This sounds a bit miserable. You are never going to let your kids taste McDoanld's ever?

    Who on earth would anyone want their kids to taste McDonald's? I sometimes think it is quite selfish of parents to introduce their children to that sort of 'food'. It is the most unfulling rubbish I have had the misfortune to eat.
    It is so much nicer to have a properly cooked meal at a restaurant, where there is a decent variety and generally less artificiality.

    Exactly this. What is so great about Mcdonalds? I've been about 5 times in my entire life, and I'm 35! I don't use food as a treat for my children, although my 3 year old does like hot chocolate. I tend to say 'if you do x, y, z you can go out on your scooter/go to soft play' etc.

    I make little fairy cakes for them sometimes, but I don't say it's a treat. When we go out I have my latte, and my son has his babycino hot choc. It's just what we do, not a 'treat' as such.

    I do wonder what I'll say to them once they hit school age and become a bit more aware of places like McDo, but I'm sure I'll find a way round it.
  • I don't have children - so any advice I have on that subject would be way out in left field. :)
    As for eating out in general - I've started 'planning ahead'. I usually know a day or so before an 'out' meal - so I have a chance to look at the menu online and make my food choice ahead of time. Most places will have a grilled chicken of some sort, better option than breaded. If you do salad - make it a 'lunch size' rather than regular portion, and get your dressing on the side -- you will use less. Skip the fries. :) Choose coleslaw (yuck) or fruit or a veggie side if they have it.
    A lot of times for lunch (when I'm at work) if I eat out, I'll pick Potbelly sandwich, or Subway, or Jimmy John's... rather than fried food or large portions.
    Eating out in the evenings or weekends? Definitely plan ahead - maybe have a healthy snack (include protein to fill you up) before going out - skip the appetizer (usually fried and lots of calories). Ask them to not even bring a basket of bread (too tempting for me). AND - as soon as your meal is delivered, box up half of it to take home! If it isn't on your plate - you won't eat it.... :)
    Good luck - it CAN be done - you just have to plan ahead!
    Also - I find that the longer I'm on MFP and 'see' what different food choices are for calories, I find I'm looking at restaurant menus differently, even if I haven't reviewed ahead of time!
  • mulderpf
    mulderpf Posts: 209 Member
    Who on earth would anyone want their kids to taste McDonald's? I sometimes think it is quite selfish of parents to introduce their children to that sort of 'food'. It is the most unfulling rubbish I have had the misfortune to eat.
    It is so much nicer to have a properly cooked meal at a restaurant, where there is a decent variety and generally less artificiality.

    +1. That and the fact that the parents are setting their kids up to be overweight they grow older because they love the over-processed, convenient food where you don't even have to get out your car to get. Then the kids will grow up and blame all their weight problems on genetics.

    First time I had McDonalds, I was 17 and I honestly do not feel like I've missed out on anything in my childhood by never having McDonalds (I think by that time, I had KFC twice in my LIFE!!). And I wasn't fat.
  • anmehra
    anmehra Posts: 14 Member
    YES!! But, when I'm going through the drive-thru or sitting at a restaurant, I use the MFP phone app. I pick what I'd like to eat, see the nutritional content, and go from there. It's easy and the main reason I started using MFP :)
  • babzog
    babzog Posts: 19
    It is the most unfulling rubbish I have had the misfortune to eat.

    But... it's easy to chew! Hahaha!

    McD's is utter crap - I can make a vastly better cheeseburger at home if I really want one.
  • edge_dragoncaller
    edge_dragoncaller Posts: 826 Member
    I absolutely do not have a bad time eating out....

    ....and that's the problem :laugh:
  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 1,033 Member
    Have them help you cook... they get involved in the process and have fun! way healthier than eating fast food... If time is an issue for you (like it is for most of us) get a crock pot... working girl's best friend!
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    I've always really limited meals from places like McD's. The kids loved it when we did go there, but it had to be an unusual circumstance. I didn't make a habit of it.
  • lightweightdiva
    lightweightdiva Posts: 41 Member
    A lot of people are suggesting the salads, but honestly if I end up at a McDonald's I get a cheeseburger. Maybe a side salad or apple dippers on the side to add a little extra bulk, but the calories are not bad for a single, regular cheeseburger, and it makes me a whole lot happier than iceberg lettuce :)
  • d_Mode
    d_Mode Posts: 880 Member
    I use a book called "Calorie King" to help me with my choices when I eat out, especially fast food.
  • mattysmom
    mattysmom Posts: 82 Member
    My daughter and her friends love to go to Burger King and eat & play. I always check nutrition at home on my computer to plan what I am going to get there....And my daughter knows that she will only get one not healthy item. Example Burger + Side Salad or Grilled Chicken + Fries. And if she gets a completely good for you meal, she can have a sundae for dessert. It's all about teaching them indulgence in moderation just like we do to them with everything else in life.
  • hiker359
    hiker359 Posts: 577 Member
    Nope...when I eat out, I enjoy it. Looking forward to some Texas Roadhouse this weekend! Yeah, baby!
  • MrsPong
    MrsPong Posts: 580 Member
    My daughter loves to eat out yet we never buy her the happy meal with a toy (unless its just her eating or special day) bc I dont want her always wanting to get a toy, and thinking she needs the food to get a toy.

    We eat out alot. We set up the week with healthy items for dinner, and stuff comes up. Life is busy....so we eat out.
    Yet she loves sushi and chipotle( and will ask to go to chipotle before Mcdonalds anyday).

    With chipotle you can add on things you want, take off things with to many calories and we share a bowl. So its half the calories.We got her used to it because we feel its better and tastes better lol

    I agree with previous posts, get them used to other items they r stil young..
  • Panda_1999
    Panda_1999 Posts: 191 Member
    Just saw this slide show... I was surprised how bad some of these were but there are some better choices
    http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-worst-sandwiches-and-wraps
    http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/21-healthier-fast-food-meals