secretly eating healthy at restaurants?
Ginerrva
Posts: 226
My friends often bug me for trying to order healthy at restaurants >.> Any ways I can do it in secret?
Are there some meals at chain restaurants that, despite not being listed under the 'fit' list, are healthy?
Are there some meals at chain restaurants that, despite not being listed under the 'fit' list, are healthy?
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Replies
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Honestly...just order what you want and forget what they think. Your success in living a more healthy lifestyle just pisses them off becuase it makes them realize how lazy they are themselves so they take it out on you.0
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They're making fun of you for making healthy choices? Just poke them in the stomach, or pinch some fat on their body, I'm sure that will shut them up.0
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Just let them order first and then razz them on what their ordering. "French fries? Seriously?"
Order what you LIKE. If it tastes good to you, and happens to be healthy, even better. If your friends don't like it, they don't have to eat it.
Applebees and Texas Roadhouse have "healthy" menus. Texas Roadhouse has a steak with mashed potatoes on their under 500 calorie menu and it's pretty yummy.0 -
Friends that don't support you aren't really your friends. It's tough when you're young, you don't realize a lot of your "friends" aren't really. Not in the true sense of the word.0
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Surround yourself with better people.0
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No secrets. Set boundaries with your friends involving diet policing. If they respect you, they don't need to be die-hard diet supporters, but they should at least have the decency to avoid commentary on YOUR food.0
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My friends often bug me for trying to order healthy at restaurants >.> Any ways I can do it in secret?
Are there some meals at chain restaurants that, despite not being listed under the 'fit' list, are healthy?
I get razzed for ordering healthier options sometimes, too. I just shrug and tell them the truth: heavily processed foods upset my stomach- and that I don't like the way soda tastes (also true), or spinach/artichoke dip, or cheese curds. That usually shuts them up. I don't know if that would work for you or not, though. ;/0 -
Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.0 -
Make your choice without saying anything like, "I can't have THAT, it's too many calories" or, "I have to pick the healthiest thing on the menu." It makes people feel self-conscious about their own selections. Just choose, order, and say nothing. It's nobody's business.0
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I am wondering why you even pay attention to your friends' opinions on your food choices or how this is any of their business.0
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No secrets. Set boundaries with your friends involving diet policing. If they respect you, they don't need to be die-hard diet supporters, but they should at least have the decency to avoid commentary on YOUR food.
This works
I got mad at someone the other day that gave me h*&l about eating a freaking potato chip in front of him because "WTH that's not healthy food!"
I told him the #1 way to tick a woman off was to make a comment about what she was eating. It's also really disrespectful, rude, and arrogant. At least it was coming from him.0 -
All you need to say is that you're ordering what you want to eat. No more than that & you take any power or control they think they have away, if that's what they're trying to do. If they're razzing you because they feel guilty about their choices you will be taking the high road & teaching them 2 lessons - how to eat properly & how to not react to what people think. If they're doing it just to get a rise out of you then you won't be giving them the satisfaction.........0
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Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.
The problem with that is that there is literally nothing that's below 1,000 calories on most chain restaurant menus. Unless it's otherwise stated or obvious (small dinner salad, ect.) Places like Applebee's? Chili's? Good luck. And overhauling their menu's all at once would be really costly and inefficient.
Edited for typo correction.0 -
If this is all relatively new behaviour from your friends or from your sudden(recent?) lifestyle change, it might be worth noting that many people are adverse to change. They might think they're losing you or losing a part of you, or that you'll expect them to change, too. I would call them out on it next time they do it, have a short discussion about respecting others life choices, and setting boundaries. Diet-sabotaging is not unheard of in these situations, but it's important to note that both parties here have some feelings that they are trying to keep a secret from each other instead of just saying what's really going on in their mind.0
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No one has ever remarked on my order at a restaurant and I have never given any thought to anyone else's order other than to ask if someone is enjoying the meal.
Who are these people? Where do they live? Why is this a thing???0 -
Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.
The problem with that is that there is literally nothing that's below 1,000 calories on most chain restaurant menus. Unless it's otherwise stated or obvious (small dinner salad, ect.) Places like Applebee's? Chili's? Good luck. And overhauling their menu's all at once would be really costly and inefficient.
Edited for typo correction.
But Adding calorie information seems like it would be a small modification. The overhaul shouldn't be that expensive when they have to do it several times a year to advertise their specials. I don't think a bit of extra ink costs that much more , personally.0 -
Make your choice without saying anything like, "I can't have THAT, it's too many calories" or, "I have to pick the healthiest thing on the menu." It makes people feel self-conscious about their own selections. Just choose, order, and say nothing. It's nobody's business.
THIS ^0 -
Why are they commenting on your food order at all?
The only time we (as a group of friends) would do that would be if we went to a fast food joint and then someone complained and whinged that there were no healthy options out long and loud. The answer would be well...we are at xxxxx what did you expect??? and then we would all search to find the healthiest option because we support each other. We are friends!0 -
Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.
The problem with that is that there is literally nothing that's below 1,000 calories on most chain restaurant menus. Unless it's otherwise stated or obvious (small dinner salad, ect.) Places like Applebee's? Chili's? Good luck. And overhauling their menu's all at once would be really costly and inefficient.
Edited for typo correction.
But Adding calorie information seems like it would be a small modification. The overhaul shouldn't be that expensive when they have to do it several times a year to advertise their specials. I don't think a bit of extra ink costs that much more , personally.
Here in Western Australia the fast food chains have been regulated so they HAVE to by law show the kilojoules per meal and have a nutritional fact sheet or panel on the packaging for take away or nearby on the wall for eat in. Makes choosing a lot easier.0 -
Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.
The problem with that is that there is literally nothing that's below 1,000 calories on most chain restaurant menus. Unless it's otherwise stated or obvious (small dinner salad, ect.) Places like Applebee's? Chili's? Good luck. And overhauling their menu's all at once would be really costly and inefficient.
Edited for typo correction.
But Adding calorie information seems like it would be a small modification. The overhaul shouldn't be that expensive when they have to do it several times a year to advertise their specials. I don't think a bit of extra ink costs that much more , personally.
I was referring to the cost of making everything less caloric/healthier/whatever. If everything on the menu is over 1,000 calories and everyone can see it, then people are going to start whining about how there's nothing on their menu's that supports a low-calorie diet, or how everything is deep fried, or this or that. You give them the nutritional facts, they want lower calorie options, you give them that and suddenly why not ban deep fat fried food altogether? Why not just go to a different restaurant? People wanted low calorie options at chains so they could go out and eat with their families and friends, and they were given that.
Putting the calorie content of their menu items is a bucket of worms no one really wants or needs to open.
The labeled 'lower-calorie options were an attempt at giving people what they wanted without exposing them to the high caloric content of the food they serve. it would hurt business and could generate bad press, which in turn hurts profit.0 -
Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.
The problem with that is that there is literally nothing that's below 1,000 calories on most chain restaurant menus. Unless it's otherwise stated or obvious (small dinner salad, ect.) Places like Applebee's? Chili's? Good luck. And overhauling their menu's all at once would be really costly and inefficient.
Edited for typo correction.
But Adding calorie information seems like it would be a small modification. The overhaul shouldn't be that expensive when they have to do it several times a year to advertise their specials. I don't think a bit of extra ink costs that much more , personally.
Here in Western Australia the fast food chains have been regulated so they HAVE to by law show the kilojoules per meal and have a nutritional fact sheet or panel on the packaging for take away or nearby on the wall for eat in. Makes choosing a lot easier.
Certain fast food chains here in the states do that, too. McDonalds comes to mind instantly. However I think everyone is referring to places like Applebee's, Chili's, TGIFridays, ect.0 -
Everyone's already said it. What you eat is your decision and your decision alone. You shouldn't be put off by your 'friends' comments and remarks.
Many restaurants have healthier or lower calorie options for a reason...because there are lots of people out there who want to keep an eye on what they're eating but still want to enjoy eating out. Loads of people ask for a salad without the dressing (or the dressing on the side), potatoes instead of french fries (or neither) and gluten free pizza bases (where available). There are even some forms of sushi that are suitable for people with fish allergies. If these restaurants didn't have some of these options, they would go out of business.
My point - order what you want and to your own specifications. You have the right to make your own choices without being judged
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Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.
The problem with that is that there is literally nothing that's below 1,000 calories on most chain restaurant menus. Unless it's otherwise stated or obvious (small dinner salad, ect.) Places like Applebee's? Chili's? Good luck. And overhauling their menu's all at once would be really costly and inefficient.
Edited for typo correction.
But Adding calorie information seems like it would be a small modification. The overhaul shouldn't be that expensive when they have to do it several times a year to advertise their specials. I don't think a bit of extra ink costs that much more , personally.
I was referring to the cost of making everything less caloric/healthier/whatever. If everything on the menu is over 1,000 calories and everyone can see it, then people are going to start whining about how there's nothing on their menu's that supports a low-calorie diet, or how everything is deep fried, or this or that. You give them the nutritional facts, they want lower calorie options, you give them that and suddenly why not ban deep fat fried food altogether? Why not just go to a different restaurant? People wanted low calorie options at chains so they could go out and eat with their families and friends, and they were given that.
Putting the calorie content of their menu items is a bucket of worms no one really wants or needs to open.
The labeled 'lower-calorie options were an attempt at giving people what they wanted without exposing them to the high caloric content of the food they serve. it would hurt business and could generate bad press, which in turn hurts profit.
You can't honestly tell me you're arguing that the success of a business is more important than the right of people to know what they are putting in their bodies. Businesses are supposed to be somewhat transparent because the CUSTOMERS decide whether they succeed or fail. If customers see the nutrition facts and choose to eat somewhere else - that's competition. It's how business works. Now they have to change to keep making more money. If they don't, they will lose profit. How else exactly do you want the market to work?
The customers do want and need to open the "bucket of worms" that is nutrition facts - I have a RIGHT to know what I'm putting in my body and as a result, I will be avoiding eating establishments that refuse to tell me what they are serving me.0 -
"Mind your damn business!" Usually works for me.0
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Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.
The problem with that is that there is literally nothing that's below 1,000 calories on most chain restaurant menus. Unless it's otherwise stated or obvious (small dinner salad, ect.) Places like Applebee's? Chili's? Good luck. And overhauling their menu's all at once would be really costly and inefficient.
Edited for typo correction.
But Adding calorie information seems like it would be a small modification. The overhaul shouldn't be that expensive when they have to do it several times a year to advertise their specials. I don't think a bit of extra ink costs that much more , personally.
Here in Western Australia the fast food chains have been regulated so they HAVE to by law show the kilojoules per meal and have a nutritional fact sheet or panel on the packaging for take away or nearby on the wall for eat in. Makes choosing a lot easier.
Certain fast food chains here in the states do that, too. McDonalds comes to mind instantly. However I think everyone is referring to places like Applebee's, Chili's, TGIFridays, ect.
If it's part of a chain or a franchise that serves a regular menu in standard (to them) portion sizes it has to list the kilojoules here in Australia, not just certain chains. It is regulated not just encouraged. It doesn't judge by chain standard so it's not just Maccas and the burger/pizza/subway places. If Applebees is a chain/franchise that has a similiar menu restaurant to restaurant and a standard serving of that menu then it would be required by law to list the kilojoules ( we don't have it here so I don't know) then it would have to list the kJ's.0 -
Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.
The problem with that is that there is literally nothing that's below 1,000 calories on most chain restaurant menus. Unless it's otherwise stated or obvious (small dinner salad, ect.) Places like Applebee's? Chili's? Good luck. And overhauling their menu's all at once would be really costly and inefficient.
Edited for typo correction.
But Adding calorie information seems like it would be a small modification. The overhaul shouldn't be that expensive when they have to do it several times a year to advertise their specials. I don't think a bit of extra ink costs that much more , personally.
I was referring to the cost of making everything less caloric/healthier/whatever. If everything on the menu is over 1,000 calories and everyone can see it, then people are going to start whining about how there's nothing on their menu's that supports a low-calorie diet, or how everything is deep fried, or this or that. You give them the nutritional facts, they want lower calorie options, you give them that and suddenly why not ban deep fat fried food altogether? Why not just go to a different restaurant? People wanted low calorie options at chains so they could go out and eat with their families and friends, and they were given that.
Putting the calorie content of their menu items is a bucket of worms no one really wants or needs to open.
The labeled 'lower-calorie options were an attempt at giving people what they wanted without exposing them to the high caloric content of the food they serve. it would hurt business and could generate bad press, which in turn hurts profit.
You can't honestly tell me you're arguing that the success of a business is more important than the right of people to know what they are putting in their bodies. Businesses are supposed to be somewhat transparent because the CUSTOMERS decide whether they succeed or fail. If customers see the nutrition facts and choose to eat somewhere else - that's competition. It's how business works. Now they have to change to keep making more money. If they don't, they will lose profit. How else exactly do you want the market to work?
The customers do want and need to open the "bucket of worms" that is nutrition facts - I have a RIGHT to know what I'm putting in my body and as a result, I will be avoiding eating establishments that refuse to tell me what they are serving me.
I tried for two years to get nutritional information on the crap at my high school cafeteria as part of my senior health project. I wrote letters to state and went to pta meetings and was stood up for appointments at town resource centers.
After two years, they finally gave me a link to a site and told me to have a nice day. I clicked the link...
It was Dole's nutritional information. The juice we sold at the high school. You know, the kind that already has that information printed on the bottle.
It's disgusting. I never ate at school. I would never allow my kids to eat what I had no right to know anything about. It should be law for us to at least be able to know what is going in to our bodies. I've never turned down a chocolate bar knowing it was mostly empty calories if it was something I really wanted, and I've never been super fat, and even if I was, that's on me! Calories printed would become normalized and I predict the people who don't care now still won't when they're craving.0 -
My friends often bug me for trying to order healthy at restaurants >.> Any ways I can do it in secret?
Are there some meals at chain restaurants that, despite not being listed under the 'fit' list, are healthy?
Why would you care if they get on you about ordering "healthy"? Besides you and your friends should realize meals and foods don't exist in a vacuum.
Personally I've found much better meals at non large chain restaurants anyways.0 -
Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.
The problem with that is that there is literally nothing that's below 1,000 calories on most chain restaurant menus. Unless it's otherwise stated or obvious (small dinner salad, ect.) Places like Applebee's? Chili's? Good luck. And overhauling their menu's all at once would be really costly and inefficient.
Edited for typo correction.
But Adding calorie information seems like it would be a small modification. The overhaul shouldn't be that expensive when they have to do it several times a year to advertise their specials. I don't think a bit of extra ink costs that much more , personally.
I was referring to the cost of making everything less caloric/healthier/whatever. If everything on the menu is over 1,000 calories and everyone can see it, then people are going to start whining about how there's nothing on their menu's that supports a low-calorie diet, or how everything is deep fried, or this or that. You give them the nutritional facts, they want lower calorie options, you give them that and suddenly why not ban deep fat fried food altogether? Why not just go to a different restaurant? People wanted low calorie options at chains so they could go out and eat with their families and friends, and they were given that.
Putting the calorie content of their menu items is a bucket of worms no one really wants or needs to open.
The labeled 'lower-calorie options were an attempt at giving people what they wanted without exposing them to the high caloric content of the food they serve. it would hurt business and could generate bad press, which in turn hurts profit.
You can't honestly tell me you're arguing that the success of a business is more important than the right of people to know what they are putting in their bodies. Businesses are supposed to be somewhat transparent because the CUSTOMERS decide whether they succeed or fail. If customers see the nutrition facts and choose to eat somewhere else - that's competition. It's how business works. Now they have to change to keep making more money. If they don't, they will lose profit. How else exactly do you want the market to work?
The customers do want and need to open the "bucket of worms" that is nutrition facts - I have a RIGHT to know what I'm putting in my body and as a result, I will be avoiding eating establishments that refuse to tell me what they are serving me.
As long as all health code regulations are upheld then there's no harm nor foul. Seriously if you order boneless wings and french fries what do you think you're putting in your body? If 'grease and preservatives' don't come to mind instantaneously then I don't know what to tell you. If you order that salad with the grilled chicken and the dressing on the side what do you think you're getting? I don't agree with extensive nutrition facts- it's lazy on the part of the consumer. What I do think should happen is *how* it's prepared being listed, which a LOT of establishments are now leaning toward doing. If something says "heirloom carrots sauteed in butter and honey" then you're going to know it probably isn't low-calorie friendly, but you can ask for those carrots to be steamed, right? Same with "brown sugar and honey grilled chicken."
You can tell that's probably not a good choice, either, but if you ask for that chicken grilled plain with no grilling glaze most establishments are happy to comply.
Simple solution to not knowing whats on your plate? Eat at home.0 -
Why don't you just tell your friends to shove off and let you eat whatever you please? Not really their business, now is it?
I do agree having a "lite and fit" menu is annoying. I feel like I'm being judged every time I order off of it. I wish everyone would just list the nutritional information and call it a day.
The problem with that is that there is literally nothing that's below 1,000 calories on most chain restaurant menus. Unless it's otherwise stated or obvious (small dinner salad, ect.) Places like Applebee's? Chili's? Good luck. And overhauling their menu's all at once would be really costly and inefficient.
Edited for typo correction.
But Adding calorie information seems like it would be a small modification. The overhaul shouldn't be that expensive when they have to do it several times a year to advertise their specials. I don't think a bit of extra ink costs that much more , personally.
I was referring to the cost of making everything less caloric/healthier/whatever. If everything on the menu is over 1,000 calories and everyone can see it, then people are going to start whining about how there's nothing on their menu's that supports a low-calorie diet, or how everything is deep fried, or this or that. You give them the nutritional facts, they want lower calorie options, you give them that and suddenly why not ban deep fat fried food altogether? Why not just go to a different restaurant? People wanted low calorie options at chains so they could go out and eat with their families and friends, and they were given that.
Putting the calorie content of their menu items is a bucket of worms no one really wants or needs to open.
The labeled 'lower-calorie options were an attempt at giving people what they wanted without exposing them to the high caloric content of the food they serve. it would hurt business and could generate bad press, which in turn hurts profit.
I think the "wish" you responded to meant that if calorie information were listed for every food item, then the current "lite and fit" type items would blend in with the rest of the menu and she wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb ordering from a specific menu segment 0 -
"Mind your damn business!" Usually works for me.
LOL! This!!! Direct and to the point! I love it!0
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