how often do you eat out?

kblaine92
kblaine92 Posts: 16 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been doing VERY well on not eating out, I went from eating out 4+ days a week to 0. It's Cinco De Mayo and I want Mexican food, is it okay to cheat every now and then!? ;)

Replies

  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    Sure.

    Why not?

    and you dont even have to consider it cheating if you work it into your calories.

    if not, no biggie.

    One good day of eating doesnt make you skinny, just like one day of bad eating wont make you fat!
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    Eating out doesn't need to be a cheat. Many restaurants have nutritional information available. Simply track what you eat like any other day. If the restaurant does not have nutritional information I try and use MFP to recreate what I've eaten to the best of my ability. A good rule of thumb is to overestimate the amount of calories vs underestimating.
  • ruffnstuff
    ruffnstuff Posts: 400 Member
    Since you're an adult (must be 18 to be on MFP), you get to make your own decisions. My opinion (for myself) is that I need to be able to live life and part of my real life is that I go out to eat. It's not cheating if you plan your day and make the dinner out fit your cals. And even if you didn't do that and it is a "cheat", it is one meal. You can still practice some restraint.
  • ottermotorcycle
    ottermotorcycle Posts: 654 Member
    First of all, it's absolutely possible to eat out and stay within your goals. I live on campus and very rarely make food for myself. My diet consists very largely of fast food, chinese, sushi, mac and cheese, and deli meats and I am losing weight and getting healthier!

    Secondly, if this is a holiday that's special to you - take off. One day not focused on logging and eating in your goals won't kill you, won't "ruin" your diet, won't cause any noticeable weight gain. It's a lifestyle change. You're not "cheating." You're just enjoying yourself!
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Everything in moderation.

    I went to McDonald's today. Saturday I had Pizza and on Friday I went to Wawa and got a hoagie.

    Just fit it into your calories. No need to cut stuff out.
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    I try to at least once a week.
    Why? Same stuff gets boring all the time.
  • CA_Underdog
    CA_Underdog Posts: 733 Member
    I eat out regularly. My goal is to meet my caloric and nutritional goals--not stop eating out with friends. :)

    The last time I ate out was at an Italian restaurant. I had sourdough bread, salad with balsamic and olive oil, spaghetti with mushrooms and marinara sauce, green tea, and spumoni. All that I ate was perfectly aligned with my nutrition goals. The dinner wasn't particularly salty or oily. We all had a good time!
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,966 Member
    I eat out 2 or 3 times a week at independent restaurants, and it is just a matter of estimating to the best of your ability with similar dishes in the database. I do add an extra portion of butter or oil if a particular dish or sauce tastes rich or greasy. Judging based on taste becomes easier with practice. If you continue meeting your weight loss you are doing fine with your estimates.
  • UmmSqueaky
    UmmSqueaky Posts: 715 Member
    Eating out was the reason I gained 50 lbs in 10 years. I'd eat out nearly every day at lunch, on top of a normal or large size dinner. Now, I eat out 3 times a week. Twice I get subway breakfast (320 calories, chock full of protein and veggies) and then once a week I choose a delectable fast food meal like smashburger or chinese or popeyes. I'm not caving into my immediate desires and whims, I'm planning ahead, looking forward to the meal, and then really savoring and enjoying it. 5 months into the process, it's working well thus far.
  • rm33064
    rm33064 Posts: 270 Member
    I used to eat out a meal or two every day, I also spent many years working in and managing restaurants so I know from experience how unhealthy that can be. It's possible to eat out healthy but most restaurants aren't in the health food business. Even things you would assume are healthy are often loaded with hidden calories in many restaurants. Seasons 52 is good for healthy eating because everything on their menu is 500 calories or under, and it's good too. These days I eat out once a week and use it as my cheat meal and don't worry about the calories, I just enjoy it and the company I'm with. It's not going to hurt your progress.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    I have been doing VERY well on not eating out, I went from eating out 4+ days a week to 0. It's Cinco De Mayo and I want Mexican food, is it okay to cheat every now and then!? ;)

    I eat out about once a week... I don't 'cheat', I fit the meal into my calories and macros.
  • tabbyblack13
    tabbyblack13 Posts: 299 Member
    I eat out about once a week if not twice a week. Most of the time it's fast food because I'm trying to get everything done on my list and I don't want to spend a lot of money. Of course I live like an 1.5 hours from a fast food resturant so its a treat to me. I will make smarter choices the day of and the day before so it won't go against my calorie intake that much. I also workout more the day of and the day before.

    I don't know about anyone else but I do tend to get tired of my own cooking every once in awhile.
  • kblaine92
    kblaine92 Posts: 16 Member
    Thanks for all of the great replies!! :)
  • AlliSteff
    AlliSteff Posts: 211 Member
    We dine out or get takeout fairly regularly...NYC living makes it so darn easy to just order online! If i know we have that planned, I will plan ahead and watch what I eat during the day, or maybe save a few calories form the day before to carry over.

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