What do you eat when eating out?

arjames82
arjames82 Posts: 154
edited September 19 in Food and Nutrition
Hey guys!

I'm trying to get some ideas of what "healthy" fast foods, other than salads, give I can eat when eating out. I have a very busy schedule (full-time job, part-time job, part-time student, and several social organizations) so cooking usually takes a back seat to my other obligations. I usually do pretty good about make healthy choices when eating out, but I feel like I'm eating the same things over and over again. I find myself at two restaurants at least every other day. And the saddest part is that the employees know what I want when I walk in the door:blushing:

Boston Market - 5 oz. turkey dinner with new potatoes and green beans (395 calories)
Wendy's - large chili w/o cheese (280 calories)

I stick with these because they are low in calories and fat, but are filling because they are high in protein. Anyone have any good ideas of other things I can try when eating out?

Replies

  • arjames82
    arjames82 Posts: 154
    Hey guys!

    I'm trying to get some ideas of what "healthy" fast foods, other than salads, give I can eat when eating out. I have a very busy schedule (full-time job, part-time job, part-time student, and several social organizations) so cooking usually takes a back seat to my other obligations. I usually do pretty good about make healthy choices when eating out, but I feel like I'm eating the same things over and over again. I find myself at two restaurants at least every other day. And the saddest part is that the employees know what I want when I walk in the door:blushing:

    Boston Market - 5 oz. turkey dinner with new potatoes and green beans (395 calories)
    Wendy's - large chili w/o cheese (280 calories)

    I stick with these because they are low in calories and fat, but are filling because they are high in protein. Anyone have any good ideas of other things I can try when eating out?
  • Anna_Banana
    Anna_Banana Posts: 2,939 Member
    I usually will go to a food places website and look up the nutrition info before I go into the place so I know exactly what to order before I go in.

    And I usually avoid the salads. Once you add dressing, cheese, and crackers/croutons. They can be worse than a sandwich.
  • wildkitty505
    wildkitty505 Posts: 222 Member
    I like Subway or Blimpie, Panera, Cosi (you can get baby carrots instead of chips!), Chicken Out, Red Lobster (grilled Shirmp yum!). We go to Panera the most, half a sandwich and a bowl of soup. Very filling! Like Anna_Banana said, I mostly go to places that have their nutritional info online so I can decide what to eat before I get there.
  • hawkeyechick
    hawkeyechick Posts: 43 Member
    Try going to Dottie's Weight Loss zone website - dwlz.com. You can check out calories and info on food from a ton of restaurant chains to give you a better idea of your options.
  • monica5237
    monica5237 Posts: 450
    You can eat anywhere you would like to all you have to do is watch your calories I always ask for a calorie menu and you can judge from that I have soooooo many menus in my purse so i am ready any time i go out
  • dolphin7
    dolphin7 Posts: 192 Member
    Well if you go to any restaurants, try and look for something that is grilled, and its usually served with steamed veggies and rice which aren't too bad, just to mix it up a bit. Other than that good luck, I find it hard to eat out as well, after finding out how many cals are in all my fav foods, its so hard to go out to eat and not get what I know taste so good. One of my favorite lower calorie restaurant food is grilled shrimp skewers, they are seasoned with a dry rub, so tasty.
  • kerrilucko
    kerrilucko Posts: 3,852 Member
    I cannot tell a lie. I get whatever I want. Sometimes I even get dessert and share it with my guy :embarassed: BUT I always order water to drink and I always eat slowly so that I know when I'm full and can take leftovers home. Man, some pasta dishes will keep me in meals for 2 days! I don't get to go out to eat often because we live in a very isolated region (2 hours to the nearest restaurant) so when we do go I feel I deserve a bit of a splurge. It's working so far :drinker:
  • Jules4506
    Jules4506 Posts: 29
    I try to get soup. As long as it is the broth type soups instead of the cream based soups the calories are not terrible. you can get a salad to go along with it or maybe a half a sandwich.
  • psyknife
    psyknife Posts: 487 Member
    I enjoy:

    ~Noodles & Company (for a list of clower calorie dishes - http://www.noodles.com/home/food/foryourhealth/watchingcalories.aspx?showhtml=true)

    ~Panera (beware some of their stuff, it may look healthy but they pack a calorie punch - http://www.panerabread.com/pdf/nutr-guide.pdf)

    ~Corner Bakery (http://www.cornerbakerycafe.com/Locations.aspx)

    ~Au Bon Pain (http://www.aubonpain.com/nutrition/smartmenu.aspx)

    ~Starbucks (I'm quite partial to the Spinach/Feta breakfast wrap, Turkey Bacon breakfast sandwich, Power Protein Plate, and other various chilled items in the grab-n-go area)

    ~Pita Pete's (probably not any near you unless you live around Chicago, as it's more local)

    ~Cosi (http://www.getcosi.com/menudata.asp?action=display&record=11&display=0&uid=45698)

    ~Subway

    ~Culvers (really, the only fast food place I go to... they've got killer sandwiches and I treat myself to a butter burger on occassion - http://www.culvers.com/menu/nutrition_facts.aspx)
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