Advice on going out to eat so I don't eat all bad food!

for Mexican restaurants, try to avoid the big bowl of chips they bring out at the very beginning. If you cant control it, grab a handful, place them on a seperate plate or napkin and only eat those. Also, opt for something lean and grilled like fajitas. Trying eating right off of the skillet instead of using tortillas that you will probably put on sour cream, cheese, etc. And last..avoid the dreaded margarita! I know they are so yummy, but usually at most restuarants they pack 600+ calories for one drink!

Going out is going to pack on the calories, no matter what you do. There are ways to reduce the impact and the number of them, however. On days you are going out, rationalize this "treat" by exercising a little more that day.

When you're at the restaurant, especially Mexican, try to find a dish without the following items:

1. Tortilla (hard, probably, but some places have "bowls")
2. Sour Cream
3. Cheese (ask them to go "light" on it or if they have any low-fat)
4. Do not order the chips. Under any circumstances. Nachos are a huge, huge no-no. To put it in perspective, a bag of Taco Bell nachos (the .99 cent ones) are about 500 calories I think, last time I checked (I could be mistaken).

I also always drink a big glass of water before I order anything as that fills me up so I don't eat as much. I also avoid the desserts. If you want a dessert, go home and make a sugar-free chocolate pudding with the caramel quaker oat mini's mixed in, with a dollop of sugar-free whipped cream. It's only a few hundred calories, as opposed to the sugar-laden, calorie Hell the restaurant's desserts are.

Hope this helps! Remember, you don't have to punish youself. You can still eat out, but be smart about it!

I always get fajitas (chicken, steak, and/or shrimp, plus onions and peppers) and eat with a fork! I might throw some guacamole and pico de gallo on there, but I steer clear of the tortillas, sourcream, and tortilla chips. Easy peasy!

we think alike Love love love fajitas!!

Hi the best choice is the steak or chicken fajitas with no tortilla, no sour cream, guacamole, no rice or beans. The chips are very tempting but I'd steer clear of them since they are very fattening. You could also get a taco salad but don't eat the shell. Good luck and hope this helps:)

Ask the server to bring you To Go boxes WHEN THEY BRING THE FOOD.
Before you start to eat, put half of your food in the box for tomorrow's lunch.

It's not about denial... it's about restraint. IMHO, of course.

If you have a smartphone there are several apps now that have restaurant nutrition guides on them plus I love the eat this not that books I also subscribe to their everyday email service. Some things you think are healthy are some of the worst things on restaurant menus. I try to stay out of restaurants and I dont eat fast food but we are going on vacation soon so I am making myself prepared I am not going to undo all my hardwork in one week. :flowerforyou:

You really have to DO your homework on Calories, Carbs, SODIUM. You will never get the True totals because each Chef's "hand" is different. My position is that when you go out to eat, you should have "saved" calories, sodium that week in preparation for going out...or be willing to reduce those totals from the upcoming week or remaining days. Eating out is a treat for Me because I cook at home 95% of the time, so I tend to PREPARE/Plan around going out. If you eat out once a week or more it is difficult, just Plan and then eat what you want.

All great ideas above!

Taco salad is a great choice - order it without the shell so you're not tempted to pick at it.

See if they have some grilled chicken with vegetable choice. If it comes with rice and beans, just make sure you only eat a little.

Stay away from the chips, tortillas, cheese and sour cream! Guac is sort of ok since avocados are good for you but the fat and calories will still add up very quickly - just don't eat a ton of it.