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    restaraunts and weight gain

    Posts: 11,233 Member
    edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
    let me be clear that I understand that weight loss is a marathon and is not in a straight line but....

    I've noticed a pattern. when I eat out, I almost always gain 2-3 lbs the next day. and this isn't making me panic. but why is that? do they use a lot of salt? I know I'm not eating 3lbs of food.

    so just a question.

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    Replies

    • Posts: 1,037 Member
      I imagine it's water weight from the sodium. Just drink lots of water, it should go back down.
    • Posts: 14,261 Member
      Odds are, it is the sodium. Between straight up salt for seasoning, marinades, sauces, etc., it can really up the scale.
    • Posts: 11,233 Member
      edited June 2015
      that's what I thought. cider barbeque is so good

      lots of fluids was the plan. not worried just curious
    • Posts: 3,013 Member
      Most likely it's the sodium content, as others have stated. It could also be the portions; if you're still tracking the calories then it's likely you're being served more food than whatever they have listed. It seems just about every time a restaurant is analyzed for accuracy they always underestimate how many calories are in their foods.
    • Posts: 1,390 Member
      Yup sodium, but could also be due to higher starch content of the food if you don't eat much normally. Most restaurant meals seem to fill out with pasta or rice or potatoes, which I don't normally eat much of. I always find that high starch meals make me retain water for a few days afterwards.
    • Posts: 1,090 Member
      Alcohol makes me hold on water too.
    • Posts: 11,233 Member
      don't drink often (maybe 1 every other month) but good to know
      and always veggies. i love fresh green beans and a chuck eye.
    • Posts: 2,255 Member
      Restaurants use TONS of salt to make everything taste better.
    • Posts: 1,457 Member
      I think it's the sodium content as well. Hope you enjoyed your meal though :)
    • Posts: 32 Member
      edited June 2015
      This is especially true when I go out for sushi - love that soya sauce!
    • Posts: 1,888 Member
      Yup. Happens to me everytime, because my body reacts with water retention to sodium and grain carbs. A pizza equals 1kg of water the next day, everytime! Even the homemade one with less fat.

      Drink alot of water and eat potassium rich foods before and after, that helps flush out the extra water.
    • Posts: 2,255 Member
      Most sushi restaurants will provide low-sodium soy sauce, FYI. Still sodium in there, just a bit less.
    • Posts: 1 Member
      Definitely the sodium content. This is why it's great to not weigh every day, or avoid weighing yourself on days after you've eaten a salty meal. If I know I've had more sodium than usual, but it's weigh in day, I'll skip the scale until the next day.
    • Posts: 41,865 Member
      restaurants tend to use a lot of salt because everyone's taste buds are broken and nothing tastes good without an *kitten* load of salt apparently...excessive sodium causes water retention.
    • Posts: 11,233 Member
      ellasez wrote: »
      Definitely the sodium content. This is why it's great to not weigh every day, or avoid weighing yourself on days after you've eaten a salty meal. If I know I've had more sodium than usual, but it's weigh in day, I'll skip the scale until the next day.

      that's silly. I'm not going to avoid the scale. I'm in for the long haul and interested in trends. daily weigh ins help keep me motivated.

      other people do it differently and that's fine but "should" is really a matter of preference
    • Posts: 11,233 Member
      mm potato soup- I may have a salt habit :wink:
    • Posts: 688 Member
      The sodium is definitely higher in resturant food, which can cause your body to retain water, making you heavier. Having too many carbs also does that to you. The water weight should come off after a few days. In the meantime, up your water intake some.
    • Posts: 11,233 Member
      jftr carbs do not make you heavier unless they are over your calorie allotment. but for sure the sodium creates retention of water
    This discussion has been closed.

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