Eating out. What to have?

misskimlilac
misskimlilac Posts: 306 Member
edited September 23 in Food and Nutrition
We are celebrating my brother in laws bday tonight at a local mexican restaurant. Any suggestions about what to order? I am super concerned about the basket of chips and salsa they bring for starters. They are my biggest weakness, although I have pretty good self control and I know I don't want to undo everything I have been working so hard at. I could just bite it, set a limit for how many chips I am allowed and then stick to it....any suggestions/support? This will be my biggest test so far!

Replies

  • corey_e
    corey_e Posts: 162
    If they have their menu online check it out and look at the nutrional value so you know what you can eat and how much. :smile:
  • limestar
    limestar Posts: 198 Member
    i honestly have a weekness for chips. i have a little so i wont depri myself. i get grilled chicken, veggies skip tortillas and refried beans. hope that helped.
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    Every once in a while it's ok to splurge and just not worry about it. Many diet plans have "free meals" in their plans for this reason. In fact I read an article on t-nation about this a couple of years ago. The trainer said sometimes when you restrict your calories it's good to shock your system by having a free meal with excess calories to jumpstart your metabolism. He said it helped him break through a plateau on fat loss to help him reach his goals.

    If you don't want to go too excessive on calories, usually chicken tacos, or bean burritos are a little better for calories than most..
  • KhollerSA05
    KhollerSA05 Posts: 39 Member
    This may not sound very helpful. But just don't worry about it, Go out and enjoy yourself. While I know we are all here to improve our health and our level of fitness I am a firm believer in the idea that it is better to occasionally give yourself a free day or a free meal where you don't worry about what you are eating and you just enjoy the day. The less you worry about it the less likely you are to make poor decisions or over eat due to the anexiety that was caused by worrying about what to eat.

    So enjoy the birthday dinner and get back on track tomorrow. It will be healthier for you in the long run and everything is fine in moderation.

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  • Holton
    Holton Posts: 1,018
    Check out nutritional info in advance in possible. COUNT out a specific number of chips and then push them as far away as possible. When you order, ASK for a takeout container to be brought with your food. When they bring your meal, go ahead and put 1/2 of it into the take out. I recommend this because Mexican food is one of the higher calorie/fat restaurant foods out there. DRINK lots of water prior to going and lots of water while everyone else is loading up on chips!
  • msbanana
    msbanana Posts: 793 Member
    First, exercise before you go to dinner (earn some extra cals) eat some chips but portion them take 5-10 chips from the basket and put them on a napkin in front of you. When those are gone you're done. Avoid cheese, sour cream & refried beans and use corn tortillas instead of flour (Corn tortillas are usually around 100 cals for 2). If you want beans go with black beans. I recommend fajitas, traditional style tacos (believe it or not the steak usually has fewer cals than the chicken), camarrones ala diabla (Shrimp and veggies in a spicy sauce served with corn tortillas) or ceviche. Hopefully this helps!

    oh and just enjoy yourself. Keep in mind mexican food is SALTY drink LOTS of water- you may see a slight gain due to water retention but it'll go away.

    :drinker:
  • KristinAshli
    KristinAshli Posts: 64
    I wouldn't beat yourself up too much about tonights celebration. I would enjoy myself, but at the same time...DON'T OVER INDULGE!! My mom always tells me...so what if you "don't eat right" for one night, just don't keep making it a habit and carry it over to the next day, or the next week, or month, so and so. Gotta learn how to control your so called "cheat meals"! Because yes, a much needed splurge day is ALWAYS a must have! AND JUST FOR A GOOD TIP: Say you know an event is coming up, for example a birthday dinner, or girls night out, just make sure that the week or two up until then, you are sticking to the plan, that way you will be fully prepared for your "splurge day" and won't feel guilty!! HOPE THAT HELPS!!! I'M NO EXPERT...BUT JUST LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE!! Have fun!! =)
  • veniceit
    veniceit Posts: 112 Member
    It's a great idea to drink extra water before you go, but not while your there. The less you drink with your meal the better, the water dilutes your digestive juices and makes it harder to digest. But drink lots of water when you get home.

    Ven
  • kmard81
    kmard81 Posts: 212 Member
    I agree with the others. Its okay to treat yourself, just not all the time! one night will be fine :)
  • helenamonks
    helenamonks Posts: 176
    Every once in a while it's ok to splurge and just not worry about it. Many diet plans have "free meals" in their plans for this reason. In fact I read an article on t-nation about this a couple of years ago. The trainer said sometimes when you restrict your calories it's good to shock your system by having a free meal with excess calories to jumpstart your metabolism. He said it helped him break through a plateau on fat loss to help him reach his goals.

    If you don't want to go too excessive on calories, usually chicken tacos, or bean burritos are a little better for calories than most..

    I do this once every two weeks. Its ok, especially if you work out extra to make up for it.
  • sanura
    sanura Posts: 459 Member
    I like dipping veggies in salsa, maybe could ask for veggies with the chips?
    I like some of the other ideas too, definitely checking it out online helps!
  • JWruns
    JWruns Posts: 18 Member
    i eat mexican every wednesday! it's delicious! what i do is that morning, i'll log my dinner, so those calories are already subtracted from my daily total. then i'm a little more conscious throughout the day of what i eat, to balance it out.

    salsa is super good for you- so no need to skimp there. when you pick up a chip, break it in half. then you have the satisfaction of "two chips" and you won't end up eating as many.

    like the others say- it's okay to splurge now and then for special occasions. just balance it out a bit with your other meals, and workout tomorrow. :)
  • jen0619
    jen0619 Posts: 414
    I have a hard time resisting chips, especially when we go to this place called tres salsas ( you really do get three salsas). Anyways I order a fish filet with grilled veggies and black beans or I will get the chicken fajitas and eat the meat along with the veggies skip the tortillas but I eat the pico ( high in sodium though). Mmm good luck! I do love mexican food especially with it being so yummy with so many authentic places.
  • misskimlilac
    misskimlilac Posts: 306 Member
    Home from dinner. I decided to let myself have a little fun. I ate the chips, I had chicken fajita (2) with corn tortillas, no sour cream or guac. It was AWESOME and worth it.
    But I have to admit my tummy did hurt after all was said and done. So I came home and did JM30DS. Feel better about all of it. Thanks everyone for your ideas and support!
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