Eating out becomes scary

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  • larrodarro
    larrodarro Posts: 2,512 Member
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    Last night I had the chance to join my wife and her staff for a meal out. It was my low calorie day, {I do the 5-2 thing} and I thought about passing on the invitation. But I went and had a grilled chicken salad. I ask the server about the calories, and she went and found out for me. When I can't find out, if it is a pork chop or steak, I will cut it in halves, then half one of the halves and take that home and weigh it. That will give you a pretty good idea of weight. Life is long and you have to eat. So enjoy it.
  • daw0518
    daw0518 Posts: 459 Member
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    I can relate to being nervous about eating out, but as others have said, you can't let it consume your life. You're never going to be able to avoid work lunches, family dinners, girls nights, etc. These are a part of life and you shouldn't let yourself miss out on them. I personally find dieting to be motivational because it stops me from eating out every single night [which I sometimes used to do], & when I do go out, it motivates me to choose something a little bit healthier. Maybe get the burger, but choose a side salad instead of fries. Get the steak, but choose steamed veggies instead of a potato. Then when you get home, estimate the calories the best you can, or treat the day as a cheat day. Either way, it's worth it to enjoy time with friends & family when they want to go out to eat. That's life.
  • Wingg_
    Wingg_ Posts: 395 Member
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    Last night I had the chance to join my wife and her staff for a meal out. It was my low calorie day, {I do the 5-2 thing} and I thought about passing on the invitation. But I went and had a grilled chicken salad. I ask the server about the calories, and she went and found out for me. When I can't find out, if it is a pork chop or steak, I will cut it in halves, then half one of the halves and take that home and weigh it. That will give you a pretty good idea of weight. Life is long and you have to eat. So enjoy it.

    A great strategy you have there! Thanks for sharing that with me!! Never thought of cutting it in half to bring home and weigh it for its calorie content! Thanks!
  • Wingg_
    Wingg_ Posts: 395 Member
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    I can relate to being nervous about eating out, but as others have said, you can't let it consume your life. You're never going to be able to avoid work lunches, family dinners, girls nights, etc. These are a part of life and you shouldn't let yourself miss out on them. I personally find dieting to be motivational because it stops me from eating out every single night [which I sometimes used to do], & when I do go out, it motivates me to choose something a little bit healthier. Maybe get the burger, but choose a side salad instead of fries. Get the steak, but choose steamed veggies instead of a potato. Then when you get home, estimate the calories the best you can, or treat the day as a cheat day. Either way, it's worth it to enjoy time with friends & family when they want to go out to eat. That's life.

    Thanks for the help! Really appreciate it! You're right being able to enjoy the time spent with loved ones is important!
  • melisapaddockpehl
    melisapaddockpehl Posts: 4
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    Eating out hasn't become scary. You have become obsessive.

    Steak places almost always list the weight of the steak. 7oz. 9oz.
    Just ask how they make it. Lots of places can do it with just salt and pepper.
  • melisapaddockpehl
    melisapaddockpehl Posts: 4
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    I think it's necessary to be "obsessive" about what we put in our mouths....especially from my overweight/obese perspective.
  • LoriTommy
    LoriTommy Posts: 5 Member
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    Ask your mom where you are going out to eat...look up that restaurant and find their "nutritional value" spot. They will tell you all the calories. Plan your mean BEFORE you go. My favorite is the Teriyaki Medallions dinner at the Outback Steakhouse. You can type in Outback Steakhouse steaks in your Fitness Pal "Add Food" and they'll give you a list of foods from there and the calories. Tangy tomato dressing on the salad! You just have to have the will-power NOT to eat the bloomin onion if your family orders it. OR...eat a very small amount. Also, eat fewer calories during the day to help with your total calories. Enjoy your family and the wonderful meal. The next day...back to smaller amounts and exercise. We go out every Friday night. We plan and then enjoy! You can do it!!:
  • Wingg_
    Wingg_ Posts: 395 Member
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    I think it's necessary to be "obsessive" about what we put in our mouths....especially from my overweight/obese perspective.

    That's why I'm being extra mindful and also kind of nervous about eating at first.
  • Wingg_
    Wingg_ Posts: 395 Member
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    Ask your mom where you are going out to eat...look up that restaurant and find their "nutritional value" spot. They will tell you all the calories. Plan your mean BEFORE you go. My favorite is the Teriyaki Medallions dinner at the Outback Steakhouse. You can type in Outback Steakhouse steaks in your Fitness Pal "Add Food" and they'll give you a list of foods from there and the calories. Tangy tomato dressing on the salad! You just have to have the will-power NOT to eat the bloomin onion if your family orders it. OR...eat a very small amount. Also, eat fewer calories during the day to help with your total calories. Enjoy your family and the wonderful meal. The next day...back to smaller amounts and exercise. We go out every Friday night. We plan and then enjoy! You can do it!!:

    Good for you there! Here in Singapore it's really rare to have restaurants which provide nutritional information about their food unless it's fast food restaurant. So I'm just using the usda information for my steak and trying my best to find out the calorie I will be eating. Thanks for the advice and encouragement! Now I really do feel more confident in eating out with my family!
  • jess1992uga
    jess1992uga Posts: 603 Member
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    You can use this "handy" guide for serving size
    https://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=167771
    http://lifehacker.com/5880630/use-your-hand-to-estimate-your-portions
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
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    Do not eat the bread, drink water or diet soda, and eat half of everything you order, saving the other half for tomorrow's meal then don't worry. Eat slowly and enjoy the food and company. I stay away from cream and cheese dishes and creamy dressing as they have A LOT of fat and calories. Steak sounds like a GREAT choice! Enjoy!
  • irakrishna1
    irakrishna1 Posts: 106 Member
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    OP Seriously it's terrifying! Just today went to KFC and God knows how irritated I'm feeling today.... Main issue is that hanging out with normal weight,foodie people who would push their bite on your plate and suggest you must not diet....dieting is not healthy...blah blah. I don't see any change in you...your Gym is no good for you. I think I should get away from people who force me to eat in the name of socialising. I'm turning asocial these days. GRRRR.
  • irakrishna1
    irakrishna1 Posts: 106 Member
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    I think it's necessary to be "obsessive" about what we put in our mouths....especially from my overweight/obese perspective.

    Absolutely!! Especially when for one single pound you have to kick hard your butt for 2 weeks. It's so easy to go over your calorie goal.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
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    "Scary"? Eating shouldn't be scary. Think about that.

    There are portion size guides on the web. If you know where you're going you can look up the menu ahead of time and have a choice and an alternative. You can eat a reasonable amount and take the rest home in a doggie bag. Steaks, in particular, are sold by weight. Even burgers are.

    If you're going to do this the rest of your life, you can't be scared to go out. You need to be MINDFUL. Not anxious. I would think hard about how you can happily move from one to the other.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
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    Thank you for all the great advices! I guess I will just go for the dinner because I can't possibly not eat out for the rest of my life!

    Exactly!

    Being afraid of these things and of food is only going to lead to a miserable life.

    How often do you eat out? If it is like me, then not often at all. One meal, heck one DAY won't ruin all that you have worked for. Enjoy yourself.

    Good for you!
  • KimbersNewLife
    KimbersNewLife Posts: 644 Member
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    Wow! This was great info...thanks for sharing
    I have to disagree with those suggesting you take a cheat day or cheat meal. Only because for me, it has all to often led to me falling off my plan completely. I changed my life when I learned how to always be on plan, and in such a way as to still eat out fairly often, and enjoy, truly enjoy, my food, cooking etc.

    I will research ahead of time, any restaurant we are going to - many, if you google the name of the restaurant with "nutrition menu" or "nutrition information", will have their menu items with the calories counts available. If they don't, I look at the entrees and choose ahead of time, one that looks easily workable for my plan.

    I've found that ranch salad dressing, served on the side is usually 2 tablespoons, and I end up having half. The richest salad dressing I use at home is Litehouse brand where 2 tab. is 150 calories, so that is my guide. If I think I have the calories for dessert (and have decided to forgo sharing an appetizer, having a bun with my burger etc.) I may bring my own fav in the car - like a Bumblebee chai tea bar or a Kind dark chocolate nuts & sea salt bar - both under 250 calories.

    I've had marvelous luck at Mexican restaurants who are wonderful about serving me an entrée without the beans or rice and instead giving me salad on the plate or grilled veggies.

    Chicken is always a good bet when out, you can have a huge chicken breast (raw weight) for under 300 calories, and most menus do list the weight of the entrée (6 oz. steak, 8 oz. chicken breast etc.). Salmon is another good bet.

    It can be scary, frustrating at first, but if you *want* to make figure out how to eat out, you can! It's all about finding out how to make it work, versus why it can't.

    I've lost as of this morning over 154 lbs. doing this over the past almost 3 years (over 66 since coming to use mfp), and wanted to share what has been working for me.
  • nlsalvatore
    nlsalvatore Posts: 521 Member
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    If I am eating out somewhere that has a website, I look up the nutritional information and decide in advance what I want to order. Or, I look on the menu for items that are marked healthier choices.
  • Bellodesiderare
    Bellodesiderare Posts: 278 Member
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    I promise eating out will become easier. Every time I eat out I plan exactly what I'm going to have and log it before I even get to the restaurant. Okay, so the restaurants nutritional information may not be exact since a cook could be heavy handed with certain ingredients, but life is too short to worry about a handful of extra calories on occasion. It's not like you eat out for every meal or even every day. Enjoy the food and enjoy the time with your family :)
  • queenierz
    queenierz Posts: 210 Member
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    Dont' worry; choose the best option out there, or if not, choose your favorite plate that has most nutritions and share it with your family :) Don't eat it all!
  • Livingfreetoday
    Livingfreetoday Posts: 35 Member
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    I am so glad this topic "is trending". I have a dinner party to attend Saturday night and I am very nervous. I am worried that I will just plain old eat too much. I know I can have a "cheat meal" but I'm worried I will get extreme when faced with foods I don't normally see or eat.

    Suggestions anyone for not going overboard?:frown:

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