What to do when eating out but no calorie count!

julie_x47
julie_x47 Posts: 12 Member
in Getting Started
What do you do when your out for lunch or dinner, but you have no idea of the amount of cals are in the food as they are not stated on the menu? I usually estimate to what I think it would be by googling separate foods and go 100 cals over that (incase) would like to know what you all do?

Replies

  • Shells918
    Shells918 Posts: 1,070 Member
    Stick to things that are broiled or grilled as opposed to fried or sautéed. Someone on here had a great chart for eyeballing serving sizes basted on your hand or everyday objects. Hopefully they will see this post!
  • julie_x47
    julie_x47 Posts: 12 Member
    darlswife wrote: »
    Stick to things that are broiled or grilled as opposed to fried or sautéed. Someone on here had a great chart for eyeballing serving sizes basted on your hand or everyday objects. Hopefully they will see this post!

    I tend to do that, usually stick with the fish or chicken dishes, unless they are fried! I also stay away from the chips!
  • booksandchocolate12
    booksandchocolate12 Posts: 1,741 Member
    Also, restaurant portions are so big, I typically divide everything on my plate in half, eat half and take the rest home for another day.
  • wendsg
    wendsg Posts: 759 Member
    All great suggestions here! I think I'll take some of those (especially the taking half of my meal home) onboard.
  • blancoms
    blancoms Posts: 165 Member
    I always search for the restaurants nutrition information on google on my phone or before I go out. A lot of places provide that info. (that's what I did at red lobster today and ihop before). Last night I had a v. oj milkshake and had no idea how much it was. So I just tried to estimate based on other milkshakes and inflated it just a bit.
  • cayman07
    cayman07 Posts: 77 Member
    I check to see if the restaurant publish nutrition on-line first, second look at similar items in the database and make a best estimate.

    Generally not knowing how it's prepared you just have to estimate, but you'll know if the food is bigger than you have at home and if you weigh at home that can help work it out too.
  • vingogly
    vingogly Posts: 1,785 Member
    I eat out maybe once a week or so. I jot down the components and estimate the amounts of each, then go into MFP later and find the components (or similar things) to approximate. If portions are big, I'll ask for a doggie bag to take home half. I stay away from the extras like appetizers, desserts, bread and chips they bring as "starters". I never drink soda, just water (I don't drink soda at home either, just don't have a taste for it any more). Sauces and dressing I ask for on the side, so I can control the amounts.
  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,187 Member
    If I can't find the nutritional information on line on in the restaurant's menu and if trying to break down the components of my meal is not possible or too complicated, I don't log it or just add quick estimated calories. I also write what I ate in the comments section of my food diary for future references.

    Most of the restaurants that I eat at are not chain franchises and they don't have nutritional information anywhere, so I consider it as a good learning experience on how to choose the right foods and how to estimate portion sizes without being too attached to MFP all the time.
  • Dootzy1
    Dootzy1 Posts: 2,345 Member
    I "guesstimate" and try to tune in to enjoying the occasion, not giving myself over to totally pigging out. We make eating in restaurants an occasional thing around here, so it is not a big deal. If you're into restaurant eating regularly, the sodium counts can really be discouraging on the scale.

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