Strategies for Eating out ……
kspenglermoore
Posts: 58 Member
:glasses: It can be a pain when one is trying to stick with a calorie plan…… My hubby and I have learned a few things about that in the last 6 month.
1. Look up the nutrition before ordering on your phone ( we saved a bunch of them via our pintrest account to make it a little faster)
2. Choose your restaurant wisely…. We flat out do not eat at places where no nutrition is provided….
3. Skip any sugary drinks from the great sweet tea of Texas to any kind of soda
4. Very little fried food…… sorry, but it is good bye to French fries …… ( I make homemade baked sweet potato “fries” when we have a craving)
Sometimes one cannot avoid eating out…. We were invited to a German World Cup Soccer Final Party at a Carolina Ale House. All my German friends and their spouses went and so we had to go too. I ended up having a German drink called a Radler ( 1/2 beer + ½ sprite) and we shared a Greek wrap with a side of sautéed veggies ( that was actually really yummy)……. I also meet with some of my friends on most Saturdays in a different place. Last Saturday we went to Starbucks. Researching the nutrition came in very handy: I had my iced skinny latte pretty guilt free at 150 calories, which did not blow the calorie budget……
How do you all deal with that? What are your strategies ?????
1. Look up the nutrition before ordering on your phone ( we saved a bunch of them via our pintrest account to make it a little faster)
2. Choose your restaurant wisely…. We flat out do not eat at places where no nutrition is provided….
3. Skip any sugary drinks from the great sweet tea of Texas to any kind of soda
4. Very little fried food…… sorry, but it is good bye to French fries …… ( I make homemade baked sweet potato “fries” when we have a craving)
Sometimes one cannot avoid eating out…. We were invited to a German World Cup Soccer Final Party at a Carolina Ale House. All my German friends and their spouses went and so we had to go too. I ended up having a German drink called a Radler ( 1/2 beer + ½ sprite) and we shared a Greek wrap with a side of sautéed veggies ( that was actually really yummy)……. I also meet with some of my friends on most Saturdays in a different place. Last Saturday we went to Starbucks. Researching the nutrition came in very handy: I had my iced skinny latte pretty guilt free at 150 calories, which did not blow the calorie budget……
How do you all deal with that? What are your strategies ?????
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This is a GREAT topic! :happy: I employ all the strategies that you mentioned. Here's some things that I do when eating out, some I do every meal:
- Do the Weight Watchers thing of making sure you put your fork down after every bite instead of leaving it in your hand. Anything you can do to slow down the "eating machine" has to help.
- Try to eat a salad before lunch and dinner. Since I hate salad to begin with, it helps me get it out of the way so I can move on to better things. For the rest of the world, it's putting some food in your belly before you get to the main event - and it helps me fill up before my entre.
- Try to drink a full glass of water before every meal, and before you step away from the table. Anything to make you feel full has to help.
- When eating out, pre-log your meals on MFP. Honestly I hate to go back and change what I've already entered, this helps keep me honest.
- When eating out, ask the server to bring you a "to go" box with the food and put 1/2 of your food in the box before you take your first bite (except for your salad). Since portion sizes are usually out of control at restaurants, not only does this save me calories it stretches my food dollar when I eat the leftovers.
- I've read that if you can get some form of cardio in (for me, usually walking) either 30 minutes before or after your meal that it helps kick-start your metabolism. Anything to burn off calories sounds like a good thing to me.
Does anyone else have any useful tips?0 -
I heard if u order an entree as ur main meal that works quite well? Cause its better portion wise, and generally can choose a healthier option. Also ask for dressing on the side, and do swaps for carbs for salads, (as the rest of the plate will be huge calories and the salad will help fill u up. Also put down ur fork between eating mouthfulls is great as a general rule not just for restaurants
im working on that! 0 -
Great topic, We stopped ordering appetizers when we go out. Instead we stick to main menu, or entrée items. I also stick to water with lemon, the lemon water is not only good for you, but it also takes away the boringness of plain water. I also do not order desert. I feel like I can make my own, and they taste better anyway. I also do not eat pizza, deep fried foods, or greasy foods of any kind. I also do not eat all the fries, or none at all. Be careful of salads, you may think that it is healthier, but in reality can have more calories then even a burger, or small steak. I like to get something off the light menu. Trying new things and see if I can taste all the spices and be able to make it at home. 0
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I am with you...... most home cooked food tastes better and we have found it is fun to try new recipes.....un-sweet iced tea for me, if not water ( and I do like water with no flavor....lol)
and yes, a salad with fried chicken on top is still fried chicken and those dressings can get you too......0 -
I forgot, go out to eat at lunch for smaller portions at a better price (less chance on over eating) and no left overs, plus go exercise after it (walk around in the mall if necessary).....0
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Yes, enjoy walking around afterward. Makes me feel a little better about eating out. Yes, those dressings can get you. But, plain Romaine lettuce has no value, so it is great fluffy, but it does not give your body anything. Spinach, cabbage, kale are so much better, and those are not usually in the salads that you are going to have when you go out to eat. That's awesome Kspenglermoor that you can take water. After a while it gets so boring. LOL. Hope you had a good day today
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