Food scale at restaurant?

millej30
millej30 Posts: 17
in Health and Weight Loss
My boyfriend is a chronic eat-outer and his favorite place to eat is our local Mexican restaurant. We have come to a compromise - only eating out once a week (as opposed to literally 10+!) but the Mexican restaurant doesn't have their nutrition information available. I even went so far as to contact them directly, but no such luck.

I told him that I would go and just take my food scale with me so I can log what I eat fairly accurately under the circumstances but that seemed to be a no go. He said it would be embarrassing for me to weigh my food in a restaurant and doesn't want me to do it.

So how would you handle this situation? He has been supportive in every aspect but this seems to be one case he just won't budge on. Do I go and estimate what I eat? Do I tell him to go with someone else?
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Replies

  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Personally, I would not take a scale with me. I'd try to overestimate, eat things that I thought were reasonable, look at the menu before hand and find similar items to get an idea of what will fit my calorie goals, etc. Most of all, I'd enjoy the experience with my boyfriend. If you are so focused on food and calories that you can't take one night a week out to possibly be over in your calories, you may need to step back and assess what you are doing. That's not sustainable, and it doesn't seem healthy.
  • nelinelineli
    nelinelineli Posts: 330 Member
    Couldn't you just take your "usual" as take-out once and weigh it at home for reference? That's what I do with restaurant food (I eat out 90% of the time)
  • Sunbrooke
    Sunbrooke Posts: 632 Member
    I would just estimate without the food scale. Unless you are standing next to the cook and measuring the ingredients, the food scale won't be completely accurate anyways. Cutting back is already a huge step in the right direction and you don't want to make it unbearable. If you do want to do even more, try sharing two meals. One as healthy as possible, like grilled shrimp and veggies. And one less so, like enchiladas.
  • jlynnm70
    jlynnm70 Posts: 460 Member
    I am not and will not take my scale into a restaurant - or anywhere out and about - I have one at home and one at work - and if after this long I can't get CLOSE to a correct portion then I probably am in big trouble.

    If you are REALLY worried about it - I like the order it as take out idea - weigh at home for future reference.

    Me......I'd just log it and estimate HIGH - and eat light the rest of the day to make up for it.

    I am still gonna live in the real world - and that means learning to adjust portions appropriately without a scale. So you go over cals for the day once a week - stay under the rest of the time and it will balance out......If I weigh/measure 18 out of 21 meals - I probably even out.
  • DrJenO
    DrJenO Posts: 404 Member
    I think his insisting you go to a Mexican restaurant (seriously?) that doesn't have their calories listed is well balanced with you bringing your food scale there to weigh your food.

    I think your choices are:
    1) Go to a different restaurant (Mexican or otherwise) that lists calorie counts.
    2) Get it to go and weigh the stuff at home
    3) Bring your scale to the restaurant.

    Show him that list and let him pick.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    no way would I take my food scale to a resturant...

    If you are that worried about it (and I can't imagine why you would be if it's once a week) then do take out.
  • blf20
    blf20 Posts: 97 Member
    I like nelinelineli's idea.
    Also, MFP's food database is extensive. You could check the database for an approximation of your favourite order.
  • dammitjanet0161
    dammitjanet0161 Posts: 319 Member
    I wouldn't take my scale into a restaurant. Good suggestion from someone to bring it home home takeout and try to make an estimate from that, otherwise are there any comparable Mexican chain restaurants you could use to log an estimate? (sorry I'm in the UK so can't suggest any)
  • Pirate_chick
    Pirate_chick Posts: 1,216 Member
    no way. you have to live.
  • Apple31415
    Apple31415 Posts: 98 Member
    I would just estimate without the food scale. Unless you are standing next to the cook and measuring the ingredients, the food scale won't be completely accurate anyways. Cutting back is already a huge step in the right direction and you don't want to make it unbearable. If you do want to do even more, try sharing two meals. One as healthy as possible, like grilled shrimp and veggies. And one less so, like enchiladas.
    This.
    I would also add that the tortilla chips are waaay more calories than i thought so that is a pitfall to watch out for. I often eat out at mexican and keep my orders very simple with only a few ingredients so I can fairly accurately eyeball a cup of rice, 1/2 cup of refried beans and a simple meat like grilled chicken. I've learned over time that you don't have to go for the "whole burrito" just cause it is there. Good luck and you gotta focus on enjoying the company on eat out nights, not the tempting food on the menu.
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    Look, I say do the right thing the whole week and eat what you're gonna eat at the mexican restaurant and don't think about it. I mean, don't order three loaded burritos, but eat what you normally would like without weighing it.

    My experience lately is this; since I've been using heavier weights, I found that when I had a lot of carby food last weekend, I mean a lot, I didn't gain any weight. It's weird but if I do what I'm supposed to do then a "cheat" (I hate that word) day is a bonus.

    I think all people are different but let yourself go for one day.

    Don't eat everything on the menu, but live a little and don't worry. It will turn out fine.

    BY the way, yesterday I used 35lb dumbbells to row with. It was hard at first but it became better after the third set. Yay me! Next stop, 40lb dumbbells.
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    no way. you have to live.

    I like you. good answer.
  • Amitysk
    Amitysk Posts: 705 Member
    I agree with the previous posters. I would not take my scale. Great idea on getting take-out and figuring it out for the future. But I think the main thing is to just enjoy the treat of eating out...and over-estimate.!
  • jenna40_2go
    jenna40_2go Posts: 101
    I would not take the scale. We ate out last night at a place that didn't have a nutritional menu. I got a buffalo chicken wrap with broccoli as a side. I then looked on here for a comparable meal estimating high. I ate all the broccoli and half the wrap. Once a week isn't going to hurt and living your life after you reach your goals is what you need to focus on. Are you going to stress every time you go out once you reach your health goals? Are you going to hide in the house every time someone wants to go out for dinner? Look at the lifestyle instead of the day. Love life enjoy what the world offers and remember moderation. Good luck!
  • DucklingtoSwan
    DucklingtoSwan Posts: 169 Member
    Couldn't you just take your "usual" as take-out once and weigh it at home for reference? That's what I do with restaurant food (I eat out 90% of the time)

    SO doing this next time we eat out at a little local place as opposed to a chain with published nutrition info...
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I think his insisting you go to a Mexican restaurant (seriously?) that doesn't have their calories listed is well balanced with you bringing your food scale there to weigh your food.

    I think your choices are:
    1) Go to a different restaurant (Mexican or otherwise) that lists calorie counts.
    2) Get it to go and weigh the stuff at home
    3) Bring your scale to the restaurant.

    Show him that list and let him pick.

    Pretty sure that denotes sabotage on his part. He should only suggest mediocre chain restaurants with nutrition info clearly posted to support her weightloss goals
  • millej30
    millej30 Posts: 17
    The thing is being only 10 or so days in I'm not sure I fully grasp what an accurate portion size is yet. Call it a slippery slope fallacy but I do worry about going over once a week especially in the beginning. I will probably just go with what I assume to be the healthiest on the menu (chicken fajitas), avoid the unlimited chips and salsa, and get an order to go sometime for weighing at home (love that suggestion).

    How do you choose something comparable when the dishes listed in the database vary by 500 calories or more? Choose the highest?
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I would just estimate without the food scale. Unless you are standing next to the cook and measuring the ingredients, the food scale won't be completely accurate anyways. Cutting back is already a huge step in the right direction and you don't want to make it unbearable. If you do want to do even more, try sharing two meals. One as healthy as possible, like grilled shrimp and veggies. And one less so, like enchiladas.

    This. I go to restaurants without nutrition information once or twice a week, and have never considered bringing a food scale. I'd find it embarassing, and beyond that it really wouldn't be that helpful. Estimating size is probably the least difficult part of trying to estimate the calorie count in restaurant food, since you have to assume there are all kinds of hidden calories. Depending on the kind of restaurant, I generally add in some extra butter. With Mexican I think you could compare with other Mexican resturants in the database, and you might want to weigh some items similar to those you would be eating to get a sense of sizes if the take out idea doesn't work.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    I'd just estimate it without weighing it. I agree with your boyfriend that it would look odd and probably be pretty embarrassing. I'm not ashamed of weighing food, but taking the scale to a restaurant is going a little too far. There are plenty of generic Mexican restaurant entries on MFP - just pick one with a pretty high calorie count to be safe.
  • ZOOpergal
    ZOOpergal Posts: 176 Member
    no way. you have to live.

    I like you. good answer.

    I like you both. Bravo.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    If you order a grilled meat, the weight of the uncooked meat is usually listed. That would give you a better idea of what you are eating. For example, I will order the 6oz chicken breast with tomatilllo sauce and tell them to go light on the cheese (or even omit). Or, an 8oz steak with ranchero sauce. I'll eat half, take home the other half. I estimate the rice and beans to also be about 2 servings, so box up half, take half and you've got two dinners for the price of one:) Some restaurants will offer grilled veggies instead of the rice and beans, that's also a good option. I ask for extra pico or diced tomatoes to make sure I get a serving of vegetable.
  • canadjineh
    canadjineh Posts: 5,396 Member
    On a side note...What's with the bf wanting to eat out 10+ times?! Doesn't he have any other interests? You need to change up your dates or special occasions out - what a sad and limited life he leads, lol.
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    I think his insisting you go to a Mexican restaurant (seriously?) that doesn't have their calories listed is well balanced with you bringing your food scale there to weigh your food.

    I think your choices are:
    1) Go to a different restaurant (Mexican or otherwise) that lists calorie counts.
    2) Get it to go and weigh the stuff at home
    3) Bring your scale to the restaurant.

    Show him that list and let him pick.
    I agree in this in that you should do what YOU want

    Otherwise, just log as you can and enjoy it.
  • RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle
    RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle Posts: 1,349 Member
    Order your food. Put half of it in Tupperware. Enjoy your dinner. Weigh the other half when you get home and enjoy another meal at home.
  • jmcdonald2011
    jmcdonald2011 Posts: 181 Member
    Couldn't you just take your "usual" as take-out once and weigh it at home for reference? That's what I do with restaurant food (I eat out 90% of the time)

    while I think this is the best answer - I would bring my scale. and I would gladly tell them why I brought the scale - because the nutritional values were not made available. but I am a little nuts lol
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  • beccadaniixox
    beccadaniixox Posts: 542 Member
    no way. you have to live.

    I like you. good answer.


    I third this. It's only one day a week.
    What about when family wants to go out? Are you going to make them only go to chain restaurants with calorie content (which even that is an estimate... not 100% right.. it's not like they are weighing out the oils/dressings/etc.)?

    Look through the MFP Database, pick one of the higher calorie estimates for the food you are going to order.
    Enjoy your meal. Pace yourself with food and water. Put your fork down between bites.
    If they have chips and salsa and you want, preplace the chips on your plate so you don't eat more.

    (Granted when I go to My fave Mexican place, I eat a whole basket myself.. maybe morevlol)
  • FitMe758
    FitMe758 Posts: 177 Member
    no way. you have to live.

    I agree.
    I know you are eager to get to your goal. But life is about balance. And carrying a scale and weighing food in public doesn't seem like part of a well balanced, happy, long-term-sustainable way of living.
  • Collier78
    Collier78 Posts: 811 Member
    The thing is being only 10 or so days in I'm not sure I fully grasp what an accurate portion size is yet. Call it a slippery slope fallacy but I do worry about going over once a week especially in the beginning. I will probably just go with what I assume to be the healthiest on the menu (chicken fajitas), avoid the unlimited chips and salsa, and get an order to go sometime for weighing at home (love that suggestion).

    How do you choose something comparable when the dishes listed in the database vary by 500 calories or more? Choose the highest?

    I totally see what you are saying about the slippery slope. As someone who tends to rationalize or justify decisions I find that sticking to a plan works best for me. Some would call it restricting myself, but I know that structure and setting clear guidlines and parameters for myself works best for me. I dont' deny myself the things I love, I just pre plan so I know when I can have it. I like the take out idea. Maybe this week instead of eating in the restaurant you get it to go and if the weather is nice in your area you eat at a local park. That way you can use your scale and he isn't embarrassed by you doing it in the restaurant. Plus it changes up your "night out" Good Luck!
  • Collier78
    Collier78 Posts: 811 Member
    no way. you have to live.

    I agree.
    I know you are eager to get to your goal. But life is about balance. And carrying a scale and weighing food in public doesn't seem like part of a well balanced, happy, long-term-sustainable way of living.

    I agree it isn't sustainable to do it all the time, but I don't think she wants to do it permanently, she is only 10 days in and not sure of her ability to guestimate portion sizes yet. In the beginning I weighed everything because what I thought was a cup was clearly more like 2. Now I can guestimate it, and when I put on my scale I'm pretty dang close, usually under.

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