Dining out?
iammantistobbogan
Posts: 40 Member
Ok so I'm new to this low carb - pretty much doing Atkins style and still in my first week. Just looking for advice/ideas of what to do when eating out. I'm away from home at theweekend and although I have lots of low carbs snacks sorted eating out will be unavoidable so any ideas would be appreciated x
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My go to's are:
Bunless burger, double patty, double cheese, bacon, tomatoes, pickles, mayo and mustard. No sides.
Most salad options are ok...ditch croutons, fruits, and anything "candied" If in doubt, dressing on the side.
Steak (with or without shrimp and mushrooms) with steamed veggies, extra butter and cheese, please.
Fajitas without tortillas, beans, and rice, extra sour cream, guacamole, cheese.
Taco salad (same as above) without the shell, etc.
Chicken breast, veggies, side of mayo, etc.
Typically, if you know where you will be, look up the restaurants near where you'll be and make 3-4 options for your choices so if something doesn't sound good, you'll have a backup plan.0 -
Everybody has their own madness. I eat out more than I'd like. I bring my food scale and an avocado with me. Avocados have become my secret weapon in my LCHF WOE. I then order and eat 4 oz of grilled dead animal and a big green salad with ranch dressing.
Great advice!
Most burger / sandwich items can be ordered without the bun. Many restaurants have given it a creative name - protein style, unwich, etc.
For the first time in months I ordered a slice of pizza at Costco, ate the toppings, threw away the bread.0 -
Just order any meat meal (steak/chicken/fish) with a veg or side salad. Also while I'm out I always keep a Hardee's close by for their low carb burger!0
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Some pizza places will even do crustless for you, too... I'd forgotten about that. My guy spazzes if I go to toss crusts, so I generally try not to do that around him... Be wary though, some sauces have a lot of sugar.0
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Thanks guys - lots of options0
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KnitOrMiss wrote: ».. Be wary though, some sauces have a lot of sugar.
Good point. I tend to get into routine / ruts, so it's a good reminder to not do this everyday or I may be slain by carb creep.
Same reason I won't do the fast food protein style very often.
Fine in a pinch, but not as a lifestyle.0 -
I find I can eat anywhere, just leave the carbage in the kitchen! The only type I haven't tried is Asian, but many have had great success. It's easier than you think! Best of luck, and safe travels!
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I find I can eat anywhere, just leave the carbage in the kitchen! The only type I haven't tried is Asian, but many have had great success. It's easier than you think! Best of luck, and safe travels!
I've done it well, and then again, I've done it not so well. It's all about educating yourself and making reasonable choices...but that's the same with everything.0 -
I am new also and when I went to McDonald's I order my burger wrapped in lettuce. I got weird looks but when I saw the scale the following day, I had a huge grin on my face. Didn't miss the bun and I was glad I could still eat with the family.0
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I find I can eat anywhere, just leave the carbage in the kitchen! The only type I haven't tried is Asian, but many have had great success. It's easier than you think! Best of luck, and safe travels!
The sauces are what kill Asian, other than the rice. If you can control the sauce and rice, it's not too bad.0 -
I get some kind of meat, and substitute extra veggies for the starch/rice/potatoes. Or in the few places that will not substitute something, I just don't eat the starch side, I get a box and take it home to my dog.0
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At the local Huddle House I get the 2 egg/3 strips of bacon meal less all forms of carbs and they add an egg for the same price. I better shut down and go before they start calling me. 0
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I guess it depends on where you are eating. I just get protein. For example at a place my wife likes I get a half chicken (don't forget to eat the skin). I also find it helps if I'm not hungry when I get there so I always snack an hour before going out. Soda water to drink. If you want to have a "drink, drink" then Vodka soda with lemon and lime slices is a very refreshing bevvie. Sounds like you might be in the UK. So, Sausage and Egg would be great. Ask if the sausage is Gluten Free - you'll look hip and at the same time make sure there isn't any bread in the sausage.0
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Dragonwolf wrote: »I find I can eat anywhere, just leave the carbage in the kitchen! The only type I haven't tried is Asian, but many have had great success. It's easier than you think! Best of luck, and safe travels!
The sauces are what kill Asian, other than the rice. If you can control the sauce and rice, it's not too bad.
Although Thai curries have great coconut milk/cream - so no problem with the sauce, just make sure no baby corn, carrots in your curry as they are higher in carb
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canadjineh wrote: »Dragonwolf wrote: »I find I can eat anywhere, just leave the carbage in the kitchen! The only type I haven't tried is Asian, but many have had great success. It's easier than you think! Best of luck, and safe travels!
The sauces are what kill Asian, other than the rice. If you can control the sauce and rice, it's not too bad.
Although Thai curries have great coconut milk/cream - so no problem with the sauce, just make sure no baby corn, carrots in your curry as they are higher in carb
In moderation, even those are fine.0 -
If you have a Chipotle or Qdoba you can get a naked burrito/burrito bowl without the rice or beans. I just get the meat, cheese, sour cream, hot salsa, and guacamole...it's really filling!
Even before I was LCHF I had celiac disease so I'm used to ordering all manner of sandwiches without the bun. They will usually wrap them in lettuce or put them in a bowl for you!
The Huddle House was mentioned above but basically any all day breakfast spot is a great option because you can order just eggs and meat! Just beware of omelets. Ihop puts pancake batter in theirs to make them fluffier.
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If you have a Chipotle or Qdoba you can get a naked burrito/burrito bowl without the rice or beans. I just get the meat, cheese, sour cream, hot salsa, and guacamole...it's really filling!
Even before I was LCHF I had celiac disease so I'm used to ordering all manner of sandwiches without the bun. They will usually wrap them in lettuce or put them in a bowl for you!
The Huddle House was mentioned above but basically any all day breakfast spot is a great option because you can order just eggs and meat! Just beware of omelets. Ihop puts pancake batter in theirs to make them fluffier.
Chipotle...it's the way to go if you're out and hungry. Two thumbs up!0 -
If you have a Chipotle or Qdoba you can get a naked burrito/burrito bowl without the rice or beans. I just get the meat, cheese, sour cream, hot salsa, and guacamole...it's really filling!
Even before I was LCHF I had celiac disease so I'm used to ordering all manner of sandwiches without the bun. They will usually wrap them in lettuce or put them in a bowl for you!
The Huddle House was mentioned above but basically any all day breakfast spot is a great option because you can order just eggs and meat! Just beware of omelets. Ihop puts pancake batter in theirs to make them fluffier.
Another vote for Chipotle. They have a salad option, too (and you can tell them no dressing). Same thing as a burrito bowl, but with the "salad" lettuce instead of the "burrito" lettuce. The salad lettuce is cut in larger pieces and you get more of it. I've been doing that for a while, too. I usually get steak (double if I'm hungry), the tomato/mild salsa, sour cream, and extra cheese.
If you're in the midwest, Bob Evans is a good choice. Fresh ingredients, very customization friendly, and no pancake batter in the omelets. Their online menu even has a gluten free section, which is helpful in filtering out at lot of their items that have hidden carb sources (like the creamy soups, which are thickened with flour) and bypassing some of the potato sides on the breakfast dishes and giving more suitable alternatives. 0 -
I ate at a Chinese place on Saturday, and ordered Egg Drop Soup and Moo Goo Gai Pan, since those seem to be fairly frequently recommended for low carb. Now, I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure there was a buttload of cornstarch in each to thicken them up. It made me a little suspect.0
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robosphere wrote: »I ate at a Chinese place on Saturday, and ordered Egg Drop Soup and Moo Goo Gai Pan, since those seem to be fairly frequently recommended for low carb. Now, I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure there was a buttload of cornstarch in each to thicken them up. It made me a little suspect.
Chinese is tough! Everything has a mystery sauce. Some places have a "light" menu, where it will be shrimp & veggies, or chicken & veggies without heavy sauce. But even then, there's a slimy clear sauce & I have to believe they add flour thickener to broth. Wish there was a steamed option!
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Chinese restaurants near me (even takeout) have a "diet" menu that consists of steamed plain vegetables and/or lean meat. I have ordered plain steamed chicken and broccoli for probably 20 years now. I just love it, and it's super convenient on the go. You can always add fish or soy sauce, but at home with delivery I do my own peanut sauce.0
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That's great! Where do you live? I have a hard time finding a steamed option around me.0
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This thread is so helpful! I've recently gotten back to LC eating, and I'm trying to recalibrate my brain to the effect that high fat is ok. Don't have to feel guilty adding that coconut milk to the Thai curry!
I'd love some more suggestions for other Asian options. I especially love Thai and Vietnamese, but my mom loves Chinese so I struggle with that when I go to eat with her.
How do people feel about some of the Asian soups (Pho, etc). minus noodles? I was thinking of asking for extra bean sprouts instead? Also I'd love to compile a list of Asian sauces that are ok. Someone mentioned the Thai curries (panang, masaman, red, green). I eat those often. What about black bean sauce?
Any suggestions or experience welcome!0 -
Love this thread - I've done this low carb thing in the past, but it's been a long time. Givin' it a go again now, so refreshing my brain is lovely. Thanks, people!0
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That's great! Where do you live? I have a hard time finding a steamed option around me.
Northeast US. Even traveling throughout the US, I've never had a problem finding it, but I can't account for other countries. If you don't see it on the menu, they probably still steam, so I'd just ask for it plain steamed without sauce, salt or sugar.
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I had lunch at IHOP yesterday. I ordered an omelette and substituted the carby side with avocado.
I didn't know they put pancake batter in the eggs but my server came back and let me know she had them make it with fresh eggs and no batter. I didn't even go into a big explanation about why I was asking for avocado instead of potatoes. I couldn't believe she made the connection on her own and had them cook the eggs special for me without even asking.
I was very impressed and she got a good tip!0 -
I order beef pho without the noodles. Very filling with just the beef, broth, onions, jalapeños, lime and sprouts. The only real carbs are the onions and the lime juice (depending on how much you add). To me, its one of the better asian options.0
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Meat and two veg.
Or, when possible: caesar salad, no croutons, add salmon, steak, shrimp...
If we go asian: beef and broccoli if it's Chinese, or sashimi if it's Japanese. Vietnamese: catfish and veg
Mexican: fajitas minus the corn tortillas, or with just one0 -
Couchpotato39 wrote: »I order beef pho without the noodles. Very filling with just the beef, broth, onions, jalapeños, lime and sprouts. The only real carbs are the onions and the lime juice (depending on how much you add). To me, its one of the better asian options.
You can add fatty broth/ "nuoc beo" for extra fat too. Some places will even have steamed veggies that you can order, typically broccoli, mushroom, bok choy, baby corn and the like.0
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