Is it possible to eat out and still lose weight?

If you eat in places where they have the calories, just count the calories and make sure you aren't over your goal, no problem.

I ate out 1-2x per week when losing at restaurants without calorie counts and that was more challenging, but I still managed to lose just fine, so it can be done.

To me this is a great question.. This also goes to alot of those guys and gals in college that can't get access to food without going to the cafeteria or vending machines.

You can still loose weight, but this is really challenge if you are logging food without having a Nutritional Guide to look at before you go to that resaaruant.. I still eat fast food, but usually this food can consume my whole days calories or atleast 75/80% in ONE meal.

Just because you are eating a salad does that always mean that is healthiest and lowest calorie option on the menu.. These things can be loaded with the same calorie counts and the cheeseburger and fries and always be watchful of the grilled stuff too...

For me, I may choose the cheeseburger, but I do not eat the bun, or get the small fries.. Never get the combo.. Things like this... me mindful and once you have logged calories in MFP for a while (actually weighed and measured food), studied the calories in and out for a while, and pretty much know how many calories there are in certain foods (such as how many grams 4 oz of grilled chicken is), you will get the hang of it..

I learned that portion requirements for most everything are a whole lot smaller (a ton smaller) than eating the entire cheeseburger and fries or even the salad or grilled chicken.

Yes, it is possible
Just have to make the calories fit in your daily/weekly allowance

Of course you can lose weight and still eat out. I mostly cook my own meals, but do go out occasionally. If you are going to a large chain, they will have nutritional information available, usually on their website. You can browse that and take your picks from there. For me, it helps to pre-plan. I know if I have enough calories to spend on my favorite meals. Sometimes if I know I'll be going out, I may do a bit more exercise or reduce calories on other days to mitigate the calorie splurge.

Calories aren't the only things to be weary of in fast food. A lot of fast foods tend to be really high in sodium (looking at you, Subway Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki). That doesn't mean they're off limits, but you should be aware of it. And yes, I love me some Subway when I'm traveling.

I will also second being weary of salads. Entree salads can very easily come with huge amounts of calories, in the form of toppings, cheese, and dressing.

And you probably already know this, but I will suggest adding some type of exercise. It doesn't have to be fancy. It can be as simple as going for a walk. I also still play with my Wii Fit, because it feels more like playing a video game than exercising.

Yes you can. Hubby and I eat out a fair bit and we still manage to pick lower-calorie choices (most of the time). You have to watch commercial salads as they are often plumped with high calorie options like cheese, dried fruit and nuts.

An easy way to reduce calories of fast food is to eat half. That's closer to the portion you need anyhow.

Hubby and I have noted over time that weight loss is easier (and faster) on weeks when we eat mostly at home.

I disagree with @ClubSilencio . I don't think that eating out all the time will wreck your health. Food is food wherever you get it. This, when I do enjoy cooking and eating at home. It pays to know how to serve yourself some basic recipes, because it also saves you loads of money!

the more you work out = the more you can eat out

You can, you just have to be diligent about your choices. Check the menu first and create your order before you get there. You have to have restraint and knowledge on your side.

It's fine as long as you think it through ahead of time. You need to check out the calories before you order.

I eat out every day due to a busy work schedule. In my experience, if you try to use common sense you can easily fail. For example, wraps are healthy, right? McDonald's premium McWrap is 640 calories!! Salads are better, but the Premium Southwest is 470 calories!! Have to have that burger? A double quarter pounder with cheese is 740 calories - still 600 without the bread. However a Big Mac (which has an awful reputation) is 470 without the top bun....still bad, but better. 80% of their stuff is awful, so you need to hunt for the 20%....

For example -- for breakfast you could order 2 scrambled eggs with bacon (not on the menu, but they'll make it for you and put it on a plate) -- this is only 370 calories. Also, an Egg White Delight sandwich if you don't eat the bread on top is 260. To drink, order a bottle of water, iced tea unsweetened, or iced coffee black....all have zero calories.

Yes you can eat out and still lose weight. The draw back is salt, fat and extra calories (not knowing how food was prepared). I use to make healthy choices from the menu then asked for lower sodium or not add items to the plate. The next thing is portion control only eat half what's in front of you. I also would eat places like Subway or have chili from Wendy's

It can be done. I'd focus on the macros more than the calories

Suggestion: play those sports you like or find something that lets that competition out in you.

callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »

i eat out all the time. lost 70 pounds in the past year ....

That's pretty amazing... but you had a lot to lose. It's harder when you only have 20 pounds or less to lose and your margin of error is much smaller.

Since hitting a normal weight, I've lost a pound a week (minus the week of Christmas =|) while eating out. It can be done as long as you count calories.

You can definitely lose weight eating out. But this is probably not something you would want to continue forever, especially twice daily. The long term goal requires some long term changes. And being skinny doesn't necessarily mean you're healthy. If you're looking to keep off the weight, start with some small changes such as going on short walks or taking lunch one day a week instead of eating out. Also, exercise doesn't mean you have to go to the gym or lift heavy weight-- it could be 10 minute bursts of activity.

We eat out several times a week. I track what I eat and do my best to meet my calorie goal for the day. Still losing weight! It can be done, you just have to track it!