Have you told anyone that you don't dine out or eat fast food?

Must be sad and lonely for you

Life is so short!!

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I love eating out! However, we live very frugally and that means we don't eat out often but when we do, I sure enjoy it.

Nah, I wouldn't want anyone to think I was being pretentious.

I'm also a massive foodie and spent years working in hospitality and know that the kitchen isn't the terrifying laborotory of killer food items that people make it out to be.

It depends on the person. Once I got out of my teenage years I was never big on most fast food. I haven't been to McDonald's in over five years. Do I chastise people that eat McDonalds? Nope. I simply don't go because I have no reason to. Where I live there are a lot of healthier options for me and fast food isn't as popular/nearby so I just don't eat it. It's also cheaper for me to just cook my own meals. If I wanted some I wouldn't stop myself though. I remember last year I suddenly had to have Pizza Hut one day, so I traveled to the city and indulged in a personal pan pizza and a side of three breadsticks and I loved every bite.

I do notice that other people I know apparently have a problem with this way of living though. If someone asks me if I like x fast food chain and I say I don't eat it, sometimes they seem to act personally offended as if I'm judging them for doing so. Everyone has their vices. For some it's hard to give up fast food, others can't live without chips while other people need their sweets. Just do what you're doing and if you have an occasion where friends want to dine out and you can't invite them over then go out and make the best choices you can.

maybe here and then when they suggest fast food places but, mainly because the foods at most just don't fit my eating ways and just not worth the higher calories..the less calories, the more i can eat afterall! as for the looks from others that think it odd, i honestly don't care as long as they are not rude about it..

chain restaurants i still eat at, there are plenty of decent food choices at most of them.
like at chili's bar and grill, the meal i usually choose comes out to 380 calories and loaded with proteins and fiber!
(large margarita chicken breast without the crunchy stuff that i don't care for, lots of steamed brocolli, and their delicious black beans)

and i don't think it is strange or sad that you don't choose to eat out..i know others who dislike doing so too, they simply prefer knowing what goes into their foods and theres nothing strange about that to me.

Everyone who knows we're doing this knows we don't eat fast food. We track EVERYTHING we eat, and measure it out. I'm sure once we are in maintenance we will start again, but for the time being we aren't at all. The only exception is unavoidable client meetings and I still do as well as I can (and there are maybe 4 a year). I skip the free meals work provides as special treats (dairy queen, pizza, etc.),

People look at me pretty surprised when I bring food to pot lucks but don't eat anyone else's food etc., but for the most part people seem to respect it and make some kind of comment like 'wow, I wish I could have that kind of determination'.

No. I have celiac disease and it limits my choices of where I can dine. I'm also a vegetarian. But we go out to eat as a family still. I just make conscientious choices and enjoy.