Advice on eating out

addicted2numbers
addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have the day off so I am taking my daughter out for a mommy daughter day! I am trying to keep her diet healthy like mine. We are going to a play center with nothing but bad foods. What is a good place to stop? Not just nutrition wise but all those awful additives ugh it's probably impossible to find something. I am in Pennsylvania if that helps any. There is an organic pizza shop I am thinking about stopping at. Thanks!

Replies

  • septembergrrl
    septembergrrl Posts: 168 Member
    If the organic pizza shop is Naked Pizza, don't. We ordered it once and it tasted like bad frozen pizza.

    As far as lunch goes, I like Panera. I can usually get a 400-calorie lunch there with tons of veggies, and they aren't too bad with sodium/preservatives.
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    If the organic pizza shop is Naked Pizza, don't. We ordered it once and it tasted like bad frozen pizza.

    As far as lunch goes, I like Panera. I can usually get a 400-calorie lunch there with tons of veggies, and they aren't too bad with sodium/preservatives.
    Good thanks :) That sounds horrible. It is a little pricey for the special pizzas. It's called Little E's Pizzeria.
  • AmykinsCatfood
    AmykinsCatfood Posts: 599 Member
    If you know the restaurants in the area you can look them up online to see if they have menus with nutritional info beforehand. If not, there are always ways to eat a little healthier at any restaurant.

    Like McDonald's for example- your daughter could get a grilled chicken wrap happy meal with half or no sauce and cheese, with apple slices with honey to dip in rather than the caramel sauce, and milk to drink. Or a side salad with grilled chicken. Restaurant pizza is a good choice as well especially if you load it with veggies and grilled chicken. Asking for sauces and dressings on the side is another good way to cut back on calories.

    But honestly, you're out for a fun day where she's going to be running around a lot- I would just let her eat what she wants as a treat and tell her it's ok to have a treat once in a while as long as you continue to maintain good eating habits at home.
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    If you know the restaurants in the area you can look them up online to see if they have menus with nutritional info beforehand. If not, there are always ways to eat a little healthier at any restaurant.

    Like McDonald's for example- your daughter could get a grilled chicken wrap happy meal with half or no sauce and cheese, with apple slices with honey to dip in rather than the caramel sauce, and milk to drink. Or a side salad with grilled chicken. Restaurant pizza is a good choice as well especially if you load it with veggies and grilled chicken. Asking for sauces and dressings on the side is another good way to cut back on calories.

    But honestly, you're out for a fun day where she's going to be running around a lot- I would just let her eat what she wants as a treat and tell her it's ok to have a treat once in a while as long as you continue to maintain good eating habits at home.
    True. I think we will just eat the food at the play center today. I know she loves their pizza. I am doing a research paper on living healthy and the things I have read scared the crap out of me with the stuff they put in food. That's why I am trying to give her better options but moderation is the key I guess.
  • Trissyboo
    Trissyboo Posts: 69 Member
    Not sure if you all this restaurant in PA but try Jason's Deli. They have organic breads, meats, and a salad bar with everything imaginable on it. Plus you can fill up on salad and have fat free yogurt for dessert. Not to mention the yogurt is FREE!
  • DeltaZero
    DeltaZero Posts: 1,197 Member
    Bad foods are not "bad" unless you eat more than you should. A tasty meal on occasion is ok...
  • WaKay
    WaKay Posts: 314
    I'm a single mom with 2 kids (11 and 14). Our dates have become more hiking/picnic, swimming or biking. Fun family activities and food is completely controlled. If we have to eat out, go with a plan. Pull up the menu/nutrition info in advance, walk in with a plan and skip the menu once you get there. Order the healthiest options and plan your workout accordingly.
  • Happymelz
    Happymelz Posts: 536 Member
    Not sure if you all this restaurant in PA but try Jason's Deli. They have organic breads, meats, and a salad bar with everything imaginable on it. Plus you can fill up on salad and have fat free yogurt for dessert. Not to mention the yogurt is FREE!

    Yes! I LOVE Jason's Deli!
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    Not sure if you all this restaurant in PA but try Jason's Deli. They have organic breads, meats, and a salad bar with everything imaginable on it. Plus you can fill up on salad and have fat free yogurt for dessert. Not to mention the yogurt is FREE!
    Ah that sounds amazing! But I never heard of it around here.
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    TITLE EDIT: Advice on eating out?

    Problem solved.
  • minimalistmom
    minimalistmom Posts: 137
    When we do a day with the kids and we are not close to home (where we prefer to eat), we always find a local food market that carries organic foods. Then I can guarantee organic fruits and veggies, whole grain breads, nitrite-free deli meat, and if we want a treat, organic potato chips. And the best part... it runs me about the same price as if I were to go to a sit down restaurant, if not cheaper.
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    Bad foods are not "bad" unless you eat more than you should. A tasty meal on occasion is ok...

    I know this. I mean all the crap they put into food. I am trying to be healthier not just by calories but by healthier food options. Plus I had pizza the other day and Taco Bell on Saturday.
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    I'm a single mom with 2 kids (11 and 14). Our dates have become more hiking/picnic, swimming or biking. Fun family activities and food is completely controlled. If we have to eat out, go with a plan. Pull up the menu/nutrition info in advance, walk in with a plan and skip the menu once you get there. Order the healthiest options and plan your workout accordingly.

    Thank you :) I wish it was nice out for a walk in the park but there is snow on the ground lol.
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    When we do a day with the kids and we are not close to home (where we prefer to eat), we always find a local food market that carries organic foods. Then I can guarantee organic fruits and veggies, whole grain breads, nitrite-free deli meat, and if we want a treat, organic potato chips. And the best part... it runs me about the same price as if I were to go to a sit down restaurant, if not cheaper.
    That sounds great!! I was thinking of bringing something from home. But I am going to let her have a treat because her friend will be eating there and I want them both to be happy.
  • powerman617
    powerman617 Posts: 13
    This is one of the things I asked my doctor when she told me I needed to lose weight and get in better physical condition. She told me to try to get into a healthy eating habit first. Once that was achieved it would not be a big deal if every once in a while I treated myself...just once in a while not every week. I don't travel a lot but enough so that it was a concern to me about where to eat when I was on the road. I have found that there are many places that have low calorie dishes on their menus, just need to check the menus when you get there or online if available. Another thing would be what my wife and I do and that would be to order a menu item and share it. Most places don't mind doing that. We found that to work well and we never go hungry and we save a lot of money. Sharing with your daughter may be even more motivational to her and you.
    Keep up the good work!
  • DeltaZero
    DeltaZero Posts: 1,197 Member
    1. Want other options than two listed in initial question

    2. Want an option that has very specific requirements, best served by providing your own home-made solution without all the "bad" things that are in food that people put there to "get us" and eventually requiring the need for a "toxin cleanse".

    3. Decided to go back to original option.




    I think we are done here.
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    This is one of the things I asked my doctor when she told me I needed to lose weight and get in better physical condition. She told me to try to get into a healthy eating habit first. Once that was achieved it would not be a big deal if every once in a while I treated myself...just once in a while not every week. I don't travel a lot but enough so that it was a concern to me about where to eat when I was on the road. I have found that there are many places that have low calorie dishes on their menus, just need to check the menus when you get there or online if available. Another thing would be what my wife and I do and that would be to order a menu item and share it. Most places don't mind doing that. We found that to work well and we never go hungry and we save a lot of money. Sharing with your daughter may be even more motivational to her and you.
    Keep up the good work!

    Thanks for the advice!
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    I just want this on my news feed
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    1. Want other options than two listed in initial question

    2. Want an option that has very specific requirements, best served by providing your own home-made solution without all the "bad" things that are in food that people put there to "get us" and eventually requiring the need for a "toxin cleanse".

    3. Decided to go back to original option.




    I think we are done here.

    Exactly. And the problem is? I asked for other options not realizing that it will be fine for my daughter to have something there. So I then decided she can eat there and I will eat at home. I'm not seeing why you are looking for drama on something so simple? I spent most of my life being obese and unhealthy. I only focused on losing weight. Now I am trying to be healthy as best I can. So yes I asked a question. Yes I decided to just keep it simple and eat there since I am a single mother who is spending the little money she has to buy healthy food. Plus I realized I can't really go sit down to eat anywhere else since we have to get home right after so I can bust my *kitten* with my school work. So I will spend $3 on a kids meal of something she likes and just keep other healthy foods in her diet. She can have a day since this day is for her. And I will eat my salmon and broccoli afterwards.
  • jenkinsjerry
    jenkinsjerry Posts: 99 Member
    I'm a single mom with 2 kids (11 and 14). Our dates have become more hiking/picnic, swimming or biking. Fun family activities and food is completely controlled. If we have to eat out, go with a plan. Pull up the menu/nutrition info in advance, walk in with a plan and skip the menu once you get there. Order the healthiest options and plan your workout accordingly.

    This is the real deal here -- from Ms. WaKay, who not only has the wisest advice, particularly if you're serious about losing weight and life change. At some point you have to be honest about all of the exceptions (I'll only do dessert this one time, becomes two, three and four and then you can't go without dessert...). Not only does MFP provide you with wisdom on what to eat, or not, or if you are going to make an exception what you're about to ingest.

    Studying nutritional guides from restaurants who are bold enough to provide them is a great solution for being wise while eating out. This has helped me to not only succeed while eating out, but has also declared several restaurants as "off limits", since they offer nothing healthy. Pizza places are nearly at the top of the list too. I still eat pizza but it's on days when I've exercised enough to rationalize the fat and calories.
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    I'm a single mom with 2 kids (11 and 14). Our dates have become more hiking/picnic, swimming or biking. Fun family activities and food is completely controlled. If we have to eat out, go with a plan. Pull up the menu/nutrition info in advance, walk in with a plan and skip the menu once you get there. Order the healthiest options and plan your workout accordingly.

    This is the real deal here -- from Ms. WaKay, who not only has the wisest advice, particularly if you're serious about losing weight and life change. At some point you have to be honest about all of the exceptions (I'll only do dessert this one time, becomes two, three and four and then you can't go without dessert...). Not only does MFP provide you with wisdom on what to eat, or not, or if you are going to make an exception what you're about to ingest.

    Studying nutritional guides from restaurants who are bold enough to provide them is a great solution for being wise while eating out. This has helped me to not only succeed while eating out, but has also declared several restaurants as "off limits", since they offer nothing healthy. Pizza places are nearly at the top of the list too. I still eat pizza but it's on days when I've exercised enough to rationalize the fat and calories.

    Thank you. I was going to do the pizza place but I couldn't find any nutrition info.
  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    my feed...this title must get on it....

    Oh, and grilled meats, vegetables without butter or oils if available. Don't be afraid to ask what goes into the food that is cooked. Fajitas at mexican places.
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    my feed...this title must get on it....

    Oh, and grilled meats, vegetables without butter or oils if available. Don't be afraid to ask what goes into the food that is cooked. Fajitas at mexican places.
    Thanks.
  • BrainyBurro
    BrainyBurro Posts: 6,129 Member
    this thread...

    subtlety_o_439845.jpg
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    Keep it clean. The problem with eating out is you never really know what you're getting into...
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    While this thread was funny, I just took a 3 page thread down to 1. Below is the rule for you kids just in case you forget.


    12. No Profane, Vulgar, Sexually Explicit or Illegal Images

    All images on the site, including all profile pictures and images posted in the forums, should be work-place friendly. While we reserve the right to remove any photo we feel is inappropriate, here are some partial guidelines as to what is not acceptable:

    - no nudity
    - no underwear, thongs, g-strings, or banana hammocks
    - no pants or shorts worn mid-hip or below (no saggers)
    - no photos in which hands or objects are the only bodily covering
    - no excessive cleavage (if you would wear it to work, it’s probably OK)
    - no close-up shots of cleavage, butt, breasts or crotch in any state of dress
    - no hateful or violent imagery
    - no images containing profanity or vulgarity

    If you are photographing yourself to demonstrate successful weight loss, tight fitting spandex is a great way to show the change in your shape, while still abiding by these guidelines. Photos altered to present inaccurate weight-loss results are prohibited. Please keep the experience at MyFitnessPal encouraging by keeping your "success" photos authentic.
  • nkeklund
    nkeklund Posts: 35 Member
    I think eating out is an invitation for going over your calorie limits.
  • Alheke51
    Alheke51 Posts: 1 Member
    Another approach is to pack a lunch and take it to place where you can enjoy eating it. I am finding that I am doing that more often. It's cheaper, you can control what you are eating, and you still get the pleasure of "eating out"!
  • astroamy
    astroamy Posts: 1,208 Member
    Try http://www.healthydiningfinder.com . You can put in your zip code and it will tell you the good places in your area and what to eat there. It also has recommendations for healthy kids meals.
  • addicted2numbers
    addicted2numbers Posts: 83 Member
    Try http://www.healthydiningfinder.com . You can put in your zip code and it will tell you the good places in your area and what to eat there. It also has recommendations for healthy kids meals.
    Great website!!

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