Having to turn down food and such

IsaackGMOON
IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,354 Member
edited February 25 in Motivation and Support
Ever since I've decided to stick to a caloric deficit, it seems like people just want to invite me out for food more and more...

The problem is that with most restaurants, I find it hard to guesstimate the calories in food because they could be using anything to cook food in.. olive oil, coconut oil etc. So I've had to turn down invitations to restaurants with my family more often.

How do you cope with this? I thought that I could try and go to restaurants with the nutritional information on a website (eg McDonalds for a cheat meal).

Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    for what??
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,354 Member
    for what??

    What? I'm confused :laugh:
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,889 Member
    Use the hunger scale on those occations, there are lots of resources out there:
    http://www.fitwoman.com/fitbriefing/weight-management/
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,864 Member
    Focus on living a healthful life rather than worrying about every exact calorie and vacillating over not knowing exactly how many calories are in exactly a serving of whatever at a restaurant. There is nothing exact about any of this anyway, and it's a lot of estimation.

    Be mindful of what you are doing...count calories if you need to as it can be a helpful tool for getting things under control...but if you're getting to the point where you're obsessing over every little calorie all of the time then you really need to take a step back because that's not healthy either.

    Generally speaking when people live a healthful life, to include proper quality and quantity of nutrition along with a regular exercise regimen...well generally, good things tend to happen.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,499 Member
    I go, I enjoy myself, I log it as best I can, and I move on. Salad with protein or protein and veggie dish are usually decent bets if I'm trying to stay within calories. Although sometimes I do just say screw it, order what I want, log the calories the best that I can, and move on. It's not like I go to restaurants with any frequency.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    Plan for it. If it is a last minute thing, adjust accordingly. One meal is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Sometimes I turn friends and family down if I don't want to or can't make it fit in my calories. A simple, "no thanks," or "can't do it" is usually enough.

    But I'm here losing a second round of weight after my initial weight loss and some regain when I quit the diet. What I discovered was that I never really learned how to fit calories into my life, partially because I was just avoiding situations with food instead of dealing with them. I had developed a routine that worked, but couldn't make anything outside of that routine work. When I stopped dieting I had a hard time moderating myself around friends and family.

    This time around I've decided to only turn down invitations if I honestly don't want to go. If I want to hang out with friends and they've chosen somewhere without calorie information posted, I eat light throughout the day (the best that I can), choose a salad or something reasonable calorie-wise, prelog my dinner (using the highest-calorie restaurant entry I can find), and try not to stress about it as long as I stay within my maintenance calories (or just slightly over).

    If your diet doesn't let you live your life then it's not going to be very sustainable in the long run.
  • doughnutsndeadlifts
    doughnutsndeadlifts Posts: 4,252 Member
    Ever since I've decided to stick to a caloric deficit, it seems like people just want to invite me out for food more and more...

    The problem is that with most restaurants, I find it hard to guesstimate the calories in food because they could be using anything to cook food in.. olive oil, coconut oil etc. So I've had to turn down invitations to restaurants with my family more often.

    How do you cope with this? I thought that I could try and go to restaurants with the nutritional information on a website (eg McDonalds for a cheat meal).

    Most restaurants have an a la carte section on the menu. If I go out to eat, I order chicken breast (a typical restaurant portion is usually 8 oz so I cut it in half). I order a side of brown rice and steamed veggies. I tell the waiter/waitress not to add any oils or fats to the chicken or veggies.

    Instead of turning down invitations, you simply need to look at the menu prior to going, speak up and tell the waiter/waitress your specific needs.
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    " McDonalds for a cheat meal"
    Why would you want to eat such crappy food ( I use the term food very loosely where McDump is concerned.) Unhealthy at worst, mediocre at best, and it's seldom as good as mediocre. And cheat meals cheat only yourself. You can do much better.
  • ccrdragon
    ccrdragon Posts: 3,378 Member
    Unless you are eating out multiple times during the week, you really don't need to obsess this deeply about the caloric content of the restaurant food.

    A meal here or there that sends you over the deficit will not kill the progress nor will it kill you!
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,354 Member
    " McDonalds for a cheat meal"
    Why would you want to eat such crappy food ( I use the term food very loosely where McDump is concerned.) Unhealthy at worst, mediocre at best, and it's seldom as good as mediocre. And cheat meals cheat only yourself. You can do much better.

    You forgot something quite important out of your quote, the word "eg", example. And I eat what I want to eat, why question it? I found that quite rude to be honest.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,963 Member
    When invited, try suggesting alternative restaurants that post their nutritional info online. If they won't switch for you, then turn it down. Tell them exactly why it's hard for you. In my experience, people understand more than I expect them to.

    ETA: Try to determine for YOU what are the special occasions that you should go to regardless. For me, I can't go to every single birthday party - there's too many! But I do find that I can often say something like "I might be late" and show up for the after dinner activity.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,354 Member
    ETA: Try to determine for YOU what are the special occasions that you should go to regardless. For me, I can't go to every single birthday party - there's too many! But I do find that I can often say something like "I might be late" and show up for the after dinner activity.

    Never thought of that.. that will come in use soon! Thanks
  • katematt313
    katematt313 Posts: 624 Member
    Before I go to a restaurant, I will check nutritional information for that restaurant online, and plan what I am going to eat and drink.

    I have found that Chilis is a good place to go when you want to hang out with friends and also want to eat light. They do ala carte shrimp skewers and chicken breast fillets - both choices are high protein, low fat and low calorie. Toss those on a salad and you are good. The monterrey chicken is good and low cal. The original half rack of ribs with a double side of steamed broccoli is not bad at all, nutritionally. Also, as a treat, the frozen raspberry margarita is huge (about 14 oz), delicious, and just over 200 calories. I will split that with my sister when I go, and it is better than dessert.
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    I don't let my dietary needs hold me back from spending time with family and friends. You can order your food cooked "dry" and without seasoning, order dressing & condiments on the side, and many other various alterations. There's no need to fear!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Unless you are eating out multiple times during the week, you really don't need to obsess this deeply about the caloric content of the restaurant food.

    A meal here or there that sends you over the deficit will not kill the progress nor will it kill you!

    this.

    I eat out regularly- once a week at least with my BF- he's only here two days a week- Wed/Thurs- so one day we'll cook- one day we go out- and usually one lunch for me at work is a "go out" meal.

    It's fine- ball park it or stick to places with nutritional stuff posted/listed.
    Also bank a little calories for the days when you get regularly invited out- I know Thurs I go out - so Tuesday/Wednesday I leave a larger deficit or run a little further so I have more room.

    For regular work functions- I tell them- no thanks- I packed a lunch- or if we go out and I find it rude to be eating- I get soup and a wrap- or just a wrap- or a salad. easy peasy.
  • The_Godwin_72
    The_Godwin_72 Posts: 102 Member
    I go, I enjoy myself, I log it as best I can, and I move on. Salad with protein or protein and veggie dish are usually decent bets if I'm trying to stay within calories. Although sometimes I do just say screw it, order what I want, log the calories the best that I can, and move on. It's not like I go to restaurants with any frequency.

    I agree with this statement! ! !
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