Eating out

haneybw
haneybw Posts: 2 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I am a business owner. I have on average, an hour drive to work, leave for the office early and leave for home late. I have noticed that lunch is the hardest meal to stay healthy because of my schedule. Cooking at home and bringing it in the next day is not always an option. For those people who choose to eat out during the week, where do you go and what do you do for lunch?

Replies

  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    You don't have to eat anywhere special or anything in particular. Eat food you like and pick a meal that you know will sustain you until dinner.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    edited September 2016
    The only consideration is how many calories that lunch will leave you for the remainder of the day. I usually bring my lunch because going out to lunch isn't an option where I work since we're too far away from any restaurants to make it feasible. There's a cafeteria that has decent options but is pricey so I eat there rarely. I bought myself a good insulated lunch box that's expandable and has a freezer pack. It stays cold all day long so I don't have to trust that no one will steal my lunch from the break room fridge.

    That said, when I used to eat out at lunch or if I could I'd choose the places I like and look at some of the lighter options on the menu. Some days it's better to choose the side salad with a low calorie dressing instead of fries when it's an option.

    KFC has grilled chicken that is really tasty and a green bean side that is only about 40 calories.
    Taco Bell has lighter options and even a regular ground beef taco is only about 170 calories.
    Carl's Jr offers "low carb" burger options which just means they wrap lettuce around the burger instead of a bun. A turkey burger with no cheese, no mayo and low carb style is around 175 calories.
    Wendy's has half sized salads that are very tasty and low calorie dressings. The chili is a good option and they do offer a salad instead of fries if you wanted a burger or a chicken sandwich.

    I'd suggest visiting the websites of the chain restaurants around you to take a good look at the nutrition information of their menu. If you have questions, find their contact information and email someone to ask. That's how I found out about the calorie content of the burgers at Carl's Jr.
  • leajas1
    leajas1 Posts: 823 Member
    Are you always at the office, though? If so, just bring in 2 -3 day's worth of lunches (or even enough for the whole week) on Monday. Then you don't have to worry about it. Food prep can be time consuming and not fun, but it's totally worth it.
  • SuzySunshine99
    SuzySunshine99 Posts: 2,989 Member
    Could you not just make a sandwich at home to bring with you? That doesn't involve any cooking and would generally be better (and less expensive) than eating out.
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    I cook and freeze, so I don't have to cook during the week in order to pack my lunch.
  • hmltwin
    hmltwin Posts: 116 Member
    SuzySunshine99 wrote: »
    Could you not just make a sandwich at home to bring with you? That doesn't involve any cooking and would generally be better (and less expensive) than eating out.

    I was going to say this as well. It also doesn't require warming up/cooking at the office. You just break open the lunch box and eat. I make sandwiches with deli meat (chicken, turkey, ham) on a small wrap or even just simple chicken salads/seafood salads/maccaroni salads and bring those with me in a container that I keep in the refrigerator at work. It's quick and easy and I don't usually have trouble staying under my calorie goal.
  • Keladelphia
    Keladelphia Posts: 820 Member
    Generally I bring my lunch but I work next to a university campus so luckily there are many healthy filling options when I do forget to bring a lunch. I usually opt for veggies and chicken from a halal truck or a couple of tacos (simple authentic mexican ones, not ones loaded with cheesy goodness). There's a quick serve Mediterranean place that I like nearby (think Chipolte) and I usually grab a chicken shawarma bowl and just skip the rice and additional sauces...so good.
  • MiaisMIAinMiami
    MiaisMIAinMiami Posts: 196 Member
    My go-to for long office days when I don't have time to bring something is Panera. I would order with the mobile app for rapid pick-up and I could be there and back in 20 minutes (8-10 minute drive each way and no waiting).
  • Pattycake755
    Pattycake755 Posts: 59 Member
    edited September 2016
    I agree with everything @SueInAz said because it sounds like you want to make healthier choices "eating out." The title of this forum topic is "Eating Out." lol!

    I think that learning how to eat out is a skill that every person needs, especially those who are trying to lose weight or maintain. I do what SueinAz does; I look up the menu and nutrition facts for the restaurant I want to try, and I make choices based on that. There is no restaurant off limits; I just make better, healthier choices.

    I hope that helps.
  • endlessfall16
    endlessfall16 Posts: 932 Member
    It really depends on how easy or difficult you are! For me lunch is very easy and simple. In fact now that I think about it, most of my meals have been easy.

    For lunch I have so many options: I keep boxes of nuts at my desk or stop by a supermarket deli on the way to pick up boiled eggs, pre made sandwiches, wraps or go to Carl Jrs, Rubio,etc.

    On most days I don't need a big lunch since my wife seems to want us to have a big dinner. She always cooks a lot! LOL.
  • rheabb0325
    rheabb0325 Posts: 17 Member
    I keep the single tuna packets- they have different flavors and are easy to pick up & go. Around 80 calories.

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