Aussie's First time in USA, food advice please!

lemonshredding
lemonshredding Posts: 71 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Greetings from Australia!
In four weeks my partner and I will be heading to the US together on a holiday. He grew up there and has family there but I have never been! I am really looking forward to it and have really been trying to get lean for the trip however I am nervous about all the fooooooood (or maybe just nervous about how excited I am for the food!). I definitely intend to live on my holiday and indulge a bit but I would also love some suggestions for calorie counting/health friendly and yummy food places in:
• LA
• Santa Barbara
• Orlando
• New York
Thanks all!

Em x

Replies

  • shabaity
    shabaity Posts: 792 Member
    Eat about half of what is on the plate or less American portions have a tendency to be about 2-3 times the size of an actual serving size, I work in a restraunt I know what I'm talking about, the exception to this is likely the grilled chicken breast that one is usually spot on. That being said many of the places to eat in those locations would have their menus and calorie counts etc either on the menu or on the web. And try some of the regional specialties many of them are really good.

    Edited because I forgot something.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Yes to the above. If it is important to you, agree to go to restaurants that have their nutritional info (calories) on line.
    Some Americans handle the huge portions by asking the weight staff to box up half of the entry to take home. That way you eat what you planned and do not find yourself eating the whole thing just because it is on the plate.
    Orlando has Latin American as well as some Vietnamese restaurants.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    You are on vacation, eat some of everything ad enjoy yourself!
  • mymodernbabylon
    mymodernbabylon Posts: 1,038 Member
    I grew up in the States and live in England. What I do when I visit and go out to eat is to enjoy the food but cut the portion size in half. I also don't go nuts on eating every course or have all the bread, etc. I eat the same way that I do in England but enjoy some foods that I might not be able to get otherwise (like yummy Tex-Mex/Mexican in abundance).
  • lemonshredding
    lemonshredding Posts: 71 Member
    Awesome tips - thanks everyone! I always get told the portion sizes in US are big - I think they are big here anyway! I will be walking absolutely everywhere so I guess I shouldn't fret too much. But yep will definitely watch the portions and share everything with the boyfriend.

    Thanks! xx
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Where in Orlando? I'm guessing parks? Which ones?

    Outside of the parks, Ravenous Pig is good. So are Texas de Brazil and 4 Rivers. All very popular.

    If you like deli food and happen to be near a TooJays, it's good. Not a tourist thing.

    If you eat in any of the 7 big parks, you're going to consume gigantic amounts of calories. I can think of one sandwich that I'd bet is double many people's daily allowances. Hope your hotel has a gym!! :)
  • gnalani
    gnalani Posts: 126
    Almost everywhere in California has the calories printed right on the menu. I don't know about the other states. But it really helps!!
  • kristijohnson1
    kristijohnson1 Posts: 24 Member
    Lots of good advice given here. I would also add avoid ordering anything through a fiberglass clowns face, or other kind of speaker/microphone device. It can only make you fat and/or bloated. :bigsmile:
  • lemonshredding
    lemonshredding Posts: 71 Member
    Thanks guys! it seems like USA is way better than Aus with calorie listings anyway :) most of all it will be delissssssssssshus
  • ilfaith
    ilfaith Posts: 16,769 Member
    Almost everywhere in California has the calories printed right on the menu. I don't know about the other states. But it really helps!!

    You'll get calorie counts in just about all the chains and many independent restaurants in NYC as well...also in many of the chain restaurants in Orlando...not that I am suggesting you stick with chains...as there are many better choices.
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    If you can afford it then eat at more expensive places for healthier options and smaller portion sizes. I'm an Aussie who was in the States reccently

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