Eating Out

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  • spunk_master_flex
    spunk_master_flex Posts: 65
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    I love getting a small sirloin steak...


    MMM.. I like my steak a bit, larger though.

    I do like my meat big as well as eating out. :smokin:

    You really have to worry about the calories though when eating out, especially if you enjoy large meat, I mean an 8oz steak can be 30% of your days calories!

    8 oz is perrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect.

    8 oz is an appetizer.

    I truly love eating out... I won't give it up.

    I do prefer a larger piece of meat, though... bloody and rare preferred.
  • silver_arrow3
    silver_arrow3 Posts: 1,373 Member
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    I love getting a small sirloin steak...


    MMM.. I like my steak a bit, larger though.

    I do like my meat big as well as eating out. :smokin:

    You really have to worry about the calories though when eating out, especially if you enjoy large meat, I mean an 8oz steak can be 30% of your days calories!

    Worth it.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
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    8 oz is an appetizer.

    I truly love eating out... I won't give it up.

    I do prefer a larger piece of meat, though... bloody and rare preferred.

    2usiwds.jpg

    This is coming in handy today...giggity
  • DeltaZero
    DeltaZero Posts: 1,197 Member
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    8 oz is an appetizer.

    I truly love eating out... I won't give it up.

    I do prefer a larger piece of meat, though... bloody and rare preferred.

    2usiwds.jpg

    This is coming in handy today...giggity

    He hasn't even gotten to the salad yet.
  • Amanda_Gx6
    Amanda_Gx6 Posts: 320 Member
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    I usually go for the appetizers as opposed to entrees. If I grab an app its usually one that is a majority protein or I grab something I can just pick at. Look at the menu online before you go and fiddle with your log and see what you can fit in. you can also ask the restaurant if they can do half a serving of item menus, some places have no problem selling half a serving as long as its not something very complicated. Best of luck to you!
  • eknutila
    eknutila Posts: 9
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    As an additional item, if you eat out a lot, you may be under reporting your calories, even for the healthy choice items. If you really want to track calories, Id suggest adding 100 cals or so unless you explicitly state a preference and are sure the restaurant is complying..

    The cuprits - butter and salt.

    A well known trick in restuarants, particulary for grilled meats (esp steak) is to brush a healthy amount of melted butter, even if you don't ask. It makes the steak look fresher (just off the grill, shiny, and juicy looking), adds to the taste and mouth feel.

    Same with your healthy steamed or grilled veggies

    Precooked Chicken breasts are often stored/soaked in buttermilk to keep them from drying out, and then also can be brushed with butter.

    And salt added to everything, beyond whats already contained in the nutritional menu, to enhance flavor.

    (Former restaurant owner)
  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810
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    I love getting a small sirloin steak and ordering double veggies instead of the usual veggies and potato. Most people don't even bat an eye. Hey I'm having steak how could I be on a diet.

    This.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,967 Member
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    That's why I try not to eat out very often. When we do, it's because we were too lazy to make dinner. And I always prefer to go to Chipotle because it seems pretty healthy and I can just eat half of my burrito bowl and it's less than 400 calories.

    Last Friday I went out for dinner and drinks with friends and I decided to just make it a "cheat" night. I didn't log. I didn't eat a crazy amount... I had one drink, and I ate half of my sandwich. And I had a few bites of dessert. (although my drink was 200 calories. Strongbows hehe yum) I didn't expect this restaurant to have their nutrition info available.. they are a local restaurant and all their food they get from local vendors and make most things from scratch, like ketchup, etc. It was pretty sweet.

    But usually when I go out to eat, I plan ahead. I look up the nutritional value online and pick something that fits into my goals ahead of time. It sucks though because a lot of restaraunts don't have their nutritional information available. I ate at "Big Biscuit" last weekend and I logged it in my diary according to "IHOP" calorie counts. I'm sure it's pretty close. All I ate was scrambled eggs, one piece of bacon, and a few bites of hash browns. I think my stomach is smaller because I get full so fast now.
  • bitshred
    bitshred Posts: 24 Member
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    Good question. I went out the other night, didn't deny myself anything. But I controlled my portions. No appetizers. I still had bread, just one slice. Didn't like the salad, so skipped. And I ate an appropriate portion of food. Basically a cup of this and a cup of that.
    And I had one beer.

    It really doesn't take a scale or measuring cups to quickly identify a general portion of food, I mean just look at it. You know when a plate is way too much food. Figure your hand or palm is about a cup. And depending one what you're eating the calories will vary. A cup of rice isn't too much, a cup of veggies and then a bit of meat. Shouldn't be much over 600 calories.

    Box up the food left over and you have lunch for the next day. I've been getting at least two or three meals out of a meal when I go out to eat.
  • wcrechs
    wcrechs Posts: 6
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    Entree's I like that won't break the calorie bank:

    Grilled Ahi Tuna in a balsamic reduction
    Grilled Filet Mignon (petite Cut)
    Blackened chicken or fish
    Grilled Planked Salmon with lemon and dill
    Fish or chicken with a salsa based sauce (no cheese please)

    Add double veggies, salad with dressing on the side (no appetizers unless it's shrimp cocktail)

    Make sure you have a tall glass of ice water with lemon for sipping throughout the meal.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    Thought this thread was about something else.

    Nevermind. Carry on.

    walks in...

    looks around- sees food.

    not what I thought.

    sad.
    :(

    steak isn't' a steak if it isn't double digits in ounces. 8 oz barely counts as anything.
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
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    I try to make the best choices I can with the circumstances....Realize that I'm out, and no, I'm not in control of how they make their foods. At the same time, we all know grilled or baked is better than fried, veggies are better than starches like bread or starchy veggie, etc. etc.

    My "usual standby" in most restaurants is a 6 oz. sirloin, or some sort of chicken (Sierra Chicken at Longhorn Steakhouse is really good!). Then I'll either get green beans, or a side salad with some sort of Italian or balsamic vinag. dressing...it's thinner and can usually go a longer way than something think like ranch....although on occasion I just gotta have ranch!).

    Sometimes the bread at Outback is just too irresistible....if I order a burger, I'll get it without the bun so I can have some of the bread.

    It's all about making wiser choices you can live with and not feel deprived.
  • spunk_master_flex
    spunk_master_flex Posts: 65
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    8 oz is an appetizer.

    I truly love eating out... I won't give it up.

    I do prefer a larger piece of meat, though... bloody and rare preferred.

    2usiwds.jpg

    This is coming in handy today...giggity

    He hasn't even gotten to the salad yet.

    I do love a nice tossed salad when I eat out.
  • GEMMA_2014
    GEMMA_2014 Posts: 81
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    I have a rule that works for me. I eat 1/2 of what they serve. I take the other half home and measure and weigh it and use it as a snack if there is not too many calories or a meal if the calories fit into the meal category. I simply ask them when I order the food to divide it in half and put 1/2 in a take out box. It may not be for you, but I like eating out and I like losing weight.

    My husband loves to eat out a lot so I had to find a way to make it work for me and my diet.
  • sjp_511
    sjp_511 Posts: 476 Member
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    I love getting a small sirloin steak and ordering double veggies instead of the usual veggies and potato. Most people don't even bat an eye. Hey I'm having steak how could I be on a diet.

    This.


    Agree. Grilled meat (chicken, fish, shrimp, pork, steak) with veggies is your best bet at many restaurants. At many restaurants salads are not a good choice - I have seen salads with more calories than a burger & fries!
  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810
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    I have a rule that works for me. I eat 1/2 of what they serve. I take the other half home and measure and weigh it and use it as a snack if there is not too many calories or a meal if the calories fit into the meal category. I simply ask them when I order the food to divide it in half and put 1/2 in a take out box. It may not be for you, but I like eating out and I like losing weight.

    My husband loves to eat out a lot so I had to find a way to make it work for me and my diet.

    I do this sometimes especially if I want something like a rich pasta dish that comes in huge portions. Instead of taking it home I'll often give it to a homeless person who otherwise might not have a decent meal. Two birds, one stone.
  • Lrdoflamancha
    Lrdoflamancha Posts: 1,280 Member
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    Sometimes you actually burn calories eating out.

    That doesn't make sense, you don't burn enough calories chewing to make a dent in the calories in most dishes at restaurants

    Eating out....has 2 meanings... She meant the other one.
  • Foodiethinking
    Foodiethinking Posts: 240 Member
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    Thanks everyone, this has been really helpful!
    Feel much more confident now with restaurant food, great idea about checking nutritional info before I leave the house.
  • mizzfitnesss
    mizzfitnesss Posts: 53 Member
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    I'm in the mindset that I can have whatever I want, as long as it fits my daily calorie deficit, I'm balancing meals with plenty of fruit and vegetables and I exercise and move around more. Recently I've been socialising a lot and been struggling to fit food out, with my MFP limits. My friends and family don't know I'm trying to lose weight, they've seen a bit of a difference, but I'd rather not have the pressure.

    I've been cutting down calories at other meals during the day but sometimes on menus I really struggle. I have salad with food, but don't want it to be the sole component on the plate. What do you order when you're out to try and keep within your daily limits without feeling like you are restricting or denying yourself.

    Any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks!

    I can relate to this 100%. I'm a football Junkie (Go Cowboys) and trying to eat healthy on Football Sunday is almost impossible... You have to do you research before you leave the house to go socialize. Study the menu and figure out what to eat before you get to the restaurant... I just start back with my diet/ life style change after Christmas, so now on Sundays, I would get up, workout , cooked and eat before I leave the house to go watch the games.. Not to mention, I only carry cash to make sure I don't buy omany drinks... I'm like you, I don't want the pressure so my friends don't know, so me saying I left my credits cards at home is better than the watching my every move.

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