Feeling completely LOST with what to eat

Kitana72
Kitana72 Posts: 1
in Health and Weight Loss
Just started getting healthy. A week and a half ago I started the trifecta, I quit smoking, I cut out soda and I started working out daily. I have been watching my calories and have only been eating foods that i have weighed and prepared at home. Well today I have to go out to lunch with co-workers. We are going to a local diner and to be honest i really have no clue what to order. I don't want to go over my allotted calories for the day by getting something ridiculous but i also don't want to get a tiny salad either. I normally would order a cheeseburger deluxe with fries but that's not gonna be an option for me anymore as I try to reach my goal of losing weight. Any healthy diner suggestions? I would really appreciate it :)

Replies

  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    Chicken breast, shrimp (not fried), salad, fish
  • nlbez
    nlbez Posts: 111 Member
    When ive been out i try to go for chicken its the best of all the meats even if you get a chicken burger without the coating you can leave the bread if you want to. If you have been to the place before have a quick looks see if you can find anything similar on the mfp app for calorie value x
  • bekahlou75
    bekahlou75 Posts: 304 Member
    Are there other options for sides instead of fries? If you can get a veggie, eat half the burger. Order a big salad but put the dressing on the side. Dip your fork in the dressing and then take a bite of salad. Just remember that the type of meat on the salad (fried vs. grilled chicken), croutons, tons of cheese, etc. can add up.
    How about a meat with veggies plate?
  • train_01
    train_01 Posts: 135 Member
    I usually order the small sirloin and veggies or a sweet potato if they have it. Grilled salmon is usually a good bet. I'm not sure what kind of place you are going so I'm sorry I can't be more specific.

    Edit: I re-read your post and you said diner. I missed that the first time around :). Maybe go for a non-cream soup. Those are often loaded with veggies and can be on the lower cal side. I agree with another poster, if you want the burger and fries, get it but only eat half (ask for a to-go box at the beginning of the meal). That's what I do when I go to Five Guys. I LOVE their burgers and fries but have to limit it to half. Or another option, could you share a meal with someone? Or get a kids meal?
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Check out the nutrition information if you can, as that well help you decide. For me, I just get what I want and have a smaller portion. You can always get a takeout box right away and stick a portion of the meal in there before even starting.

    Have a great time!
  • nomad1000
    nomad1000 Posts: 206 Member
    What about ordering a regular cheeseburger with a side salad? Or a BBQ chicken sandwich with no cheese? You should still be ablle to incorporate foods you love just in lesser portions.

    If you limit/restrict yourself too much (and you have sone a lot of changes with the smoking, soda, exercise trifecta) you could be setting yourself up to fail.
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    How about a veggie cheeseburger, no bun and side salad instead of fries?
  • jlynnm70
    jlynnm70 Posts: 460 Member
    See if there is an online menu and/or calorie guide for where you are going.

    Grilled any meat is best - especially chicken - otherwise you don't know what they cooked it in (veg oil, olive oil, butter?) Always order dressing/sauces on the side.

    If a burger would be your "old' order - get it anyway - toss the bun and eat it with a fork - Cheese won't kill you - One slice in a restaurant is typically One Ounce (I owned a restaurant and that is how it comes from the supplier). Order a side salad (skip croutons) instead of fries - dressing on the side.

    I too am going out with friends tonight. Ones I haven't seen in almost a year. I plan on having ONE glass of wine, Eat the best I can, try to work out extra today, and eat lower calorie meals early in the day (save some calories for later!)

    Just be sure to get back on track tomorrow (or the next meal). Just because you are getting healthier and making changes - you still have to live in the real world.
  • Kaylaef
    Kaylaef Posts: 194 Member
    All great suggestions. If it wasn't a common place thing for me, I would probably get what I wanted, with maybe a couple concessions (no bacon, cheese, or mayo on my burger). Haha, have a smaller breakfast and cut out the snacks or something like that, make it work with my allotment, or make up for it in some way (exercise). You absolutely can't deny yourself all the time, you'll go mad! Especially when you're already cutting out soda and ciggerates. But if you guys go out for lunch like once a week--then thats a different story. See if they do like a salad with chicken, or even opt for sweet potato fries instead of normal fries.
  • sbbigj
    sbbigj Posts: 2 Member
    If you know what restaurant you're going to be proactive and look up the nutritional info for their menu on line and decide what you're going to have ahead of time. Watch out for salads. You'd think they'd be low but I've had restaurant salads that are over 1100 calories. If you do order a premium salad plan on taking half of it home and order Rasberry vinegarette dressing, very tasty but low in calories. In fact, plan on taking half of your meal home any time you are eating at a restaurant. Usually portion sizes are too big for most diets, just order a box when you order your meal and when it comes put half in the box and eat the rest. Then you get to eat a great meal twice. What could be better than that?

    For general weight loss ideas, eat slowly, put your fork down after each bite. It takes 20 minutes for the signal to get to your brain that you are no longer hungry so eating slowly means you'll eat less. And drink lots of water, sometimes when you get the hunger signal a glass of water takes the edge off. I like to keep some raw almonds handy. The fat in the almonds will often satisfy the hunger trigger. Just takes a few and they are good for you too.

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