Needing a Crisis Plan...

rai8759
rai8759 Posts: 296 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hey all!

I am going to be with the in-laws this Thanksgiving, no internet. They eat out a lot, and where we are going there will not be nutrition information available (mostly diners and family restaurants). I was wondering if anybody has good ideas for eating at those kind of places. I was thinking salad at first, but normally at places like that their salads are totally awful (like white iceberg lettuce and shredded carrots with one tomato wedge) or totally sky-high calories (you mine as well have the prime rib, lol).

tips?

Replies

  • RoadDog
    RoadDog Posts: 2,946 Member
    Just enjoy yourself and show a modicum of common sense.
  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
    I'd say the best thing you can do is drink lots of water and really pay attention to your portion sizes! Maybe some sort of sandwich on whole wheat with a garden salad and only eat half the sandwich or something like that. You'll be ok. GOod luck! :bigsmile:
  • Disciplined74
    Disciplined74 Posts: 298 Member
    That's a touch one.

    Fill up on water before you go. Look for vegatable options. Only eat half.

    Take it easy on calories on Breakfast and lunch so you have more at dinner.

    and don't be too hard on yourself. The holidays can throw everyone off even in the most ideal of situations and you are going to be in anything but the ideal situation.

    I'll be praying for you.

    Eva
  • Happyoceangirl
    Happyoceangirl Posts: 1,993 Member
    Ay ay ay! I wish I had good tips.... sorry for commenting without being helpful but couldn't resist your comment on the awful salads. You described em perfectly. :laugh:

    Maybe be on the lookout for a soup selection? You might luck out with some broth based ones.... I would suggest fruits and veggies but my experiences with places like that is usually limp green beans, canned corn....:grumble:

    Good luck!
  • becomingsara
    becomingsara Posts: 205
    hmmmm Well first off, good for you for thinking ahead!
    What I would do is get some round numbers in your head for the healthiest of possible meals by going to different calorie calculators (here on MFP and others online) to see what a 'typical' meal most diners would have and guestimate by that.

    You may get sick of broiled chicken, a non-loaded potato and steamed veggies, but that would be my go-to (depending on how many meals you had to eat out).
  • untamedheart
    untamedheart Posts: 27
    If you can get a good Cobb salad with a balsamic vinaigrette, that might work as meal because most places make them pretty big. Choose healthy proteins like grilled chicken or fish and opt for veggies instead of potatoes or rice. I like places with salad bars if you can find them, that way you can pick your lettuce and other good stuff you want and fill up on that first
  • binary_jester
    binary_jester Posts: 3,311 Member
    You must have a good idea of what's some boundaries are. But 1 day won't kill you.
  • carrieliz81
    carrieliz81 Posts: 489 Member
    grilled chicken sandwich anywhere is usually around 500 cals... I try to stick with that if I don't have nutrition facts...

    cole slaw is a good option for a side dish... usually not too caloric, depending....
  • alantin
    alantin Posts: 621 Member
    I usually just decide that those meals are something between 800 - 1200 Kcal depending on the portion size..
  • Kminor67
    Kminor67 Posts: 900 Member
    I know you said you won't have internet, but if you're wanting to log stuff when you get home, when you eat at a diner or family restaurant, use IHOP or Bob Evans foods for logging. those are national chains that pretty much have that same kind of food, so your logging will be close to accurate. Also, Whatever you order, ask for a box to be delivered with your food, and box half of it before you eat, so that you're not tempted to eat the whole thing.
  • ka_42
    ka_42 Posts: 720 Member
    All great suggestions. I have one to add... Remember to listen to your body and ask yourself, "am I really hungry?" or when you get part way through a meal stop and ask yourself, "am I full?"
  • binary_jester
    binary_jester Posts: 3,311 Member
    Was I the only one that shivered at the thought of no internet? I can barely type that.
  • rai8759
    rai8759 Posts: 296 Member
    I appreciate everyone's ideas. Thanks so much!

    It is true that one day won't kill me... but I have been so motivated to actually do this, and I'm scared that one little weekend will totally erase my progress :sad: I know that may not be totally true, but it will discourage me if the numbers on the scale go up after! :noway:

    You know what else.. I don't want loose this mindset. I feel like it might go out the window if I give into peer pressure over the weekend and feel like I've failed. I am not interested in quitting and I'm afraid this weekend will pressure me to go the "easy" road again and forget about it.

    But I refuse!! :angry:
  • ssanchez2010
    ssanchez2010 Posts: 15
    I have read several articles that say stick with a plan hamburger just wipe off some of the mayo or what ever is on it, also eat chili its more filling than salads. Just make sure what you order is going to hold you until you plan on eating next. Snacks are a killer on calories if you don't eat properly at a meal.
  • alantin
    alantin Posts: 621 Member
    You might show a momentary bump up on the scale but it won't be fat after one day or even after one weekend. Quick increase in weight is almost always just water retention and comes off pretty quickly too.

    Your weight is a sum of so many things and fat is just one of them. And rather slow one to change, I might add, so don't trust the scale. It's best to weight yourself about once a MONTH anyway if what you need is always seeing a smaller number than before..
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