What odd tricks do you have?

DarkenScorpio
DarkenScorpio Posts: 37
edited September 30 in Health and Weight Loss
I've decided lately that eating out when your busy or on the go a lot is unavoidable to some and almost unavoidable to others. Well I was really worried about eating out because some places it is like a detective novel to get the nutrition facts your looking for. So to help me feel better about eating out in those occasions that I am busy and starving away from home I get the to go box before I get my food. I put half the food in the box when it arrives and so I don't even see it on my plate. This also helps because when my plate is clean it gives me the I ate all my food feeling. And then I take the box home (sometimes I forget the box at the table). But I normally don't go back and eat any left overs I bring home. So the food goes in the decomp pile, the box goes in recycle and I haven't over killed my calories to much. But it makes the waitor/waitress look at me very strange.

Does anyone else have some other tricks or unique things that also helps you stay on track and cut back?

Replies

  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    Have you ever heard of Eat This, Not That? It's a book series dedicated to making good choices at restaurants and at the grocery store.

    Their website has some great ideas, check out Top Swaps to see the best choices at many restaurants. They also have an article database about lots of different food topics.

    http://eatthis.menshealth.com/home
  • sister_bear
    sister_bear Posts: 529 Member
    I consolidated mine into blog posts because I got tired of re-writing them all the time. lol

    Hotel/Travel Tricks
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/sister_bear/view/sister-s-tips-tricks-for-hotels-travel-124221

    Restaurant Tricks
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/sister_bear/view/sister-s-tips-tricks-for-restaurants-124209

    :smile:
  • natskedat
    natskedat Posts: 570 Member
    I don't eat out. I bring a lot of food with me in a cooler that I have on my front seat. I pack fresh fruits and vegetables, crackers, string cheese, PB & Js, and nuts, and have managed to avoid fast food for years. I know exactly what I'm eating in the exact portions. It takes about 10 minutes of prep in the morning, and it's worth every minute.

    Good luck!
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    The easiest (apparently weird) trick I have is to plan my next meal while I'm eating. Pretty simple. Why when you're eating? Because when you aren't hungry, you tend to be logical about your choices (and not motivated by hunger or cravings). It also serves to get your taste buds excited about what you are going to eat.
  • jessilee119
    jessilee119 Posts: 444 Member
    Have you ever heard of Eat This, Not That? It's a book series dedicated to making good choices at restaurants and at the grocery store.

    Their website has some great ideas, check out Top Swaps to see the best choices at many restaurants. They also have an article database about lots of different food topics.

    http://eatthis.menshealth.com/home

    Yes I like these books too. They are really helpful. Another thing I do is if I know where I'm going ahead of time, and I have access to the internet, I look up their menu online. I know the calories that they provide may not be 100%, but at least I can choose a dish that isn't the highest in calories. Many menu items are deceiving (like salads that have over 1000 calories without dressing). Once I've decided what I want ahead of time, I don't let myself stray. I also cut the portion in half. If my mom and I go together, we usually share a meal. We actually did that yesterday and I didn't even eat my entire half of the meal...made me feel pretty good.

    Keep up the great work!
  • DarkenScorpio
    DarkenScorpio Posts: 37
    Cool thanks. Everyone has neat tricks. And yeah I know the eat this not that books. I own the whole series lol (I think its up to like 5 or 6 books now..)
  • xcbballuver
    xcbballuver Posts: 186
    i drink a lot of water and eat a bunch of salad..
  • Penguinita
    Penguinita Posts: 159 Member
    When eating out at restaurants I always omit any mayo or any sauce that comes with my sandwich or burger. Instead just tell them to bring you mustard if its not already there at the table.

    Like in I HOP the double BLT sandwich I tell them no mayo and take out the two slices of bread in between the sandwich( the sandwich comes with 6 slices of bread).

    Unluckily I'm lactose intolerant, so if you're not in deep need of cheese omit that too along with any cream based soups.

    Also if I want dessert (which is always for me) I go half or even thirds with people I'm out with and I let them take the bigger portions, but I lick my plate & spoon clean lmao.

    Hope this helps!
  • farmgirlsuz
    farmgirlsuz Posts: 351 Member
    I get the to go box before I get my food. I put half the food in the box when it arrives and so I don't even see it on my plate

    I never thought of this! GREAT idea! I usually tell myself that I will eat half now and the other half for dinner tomorrow and then I get talking, or it just tastes so good and by the time I realize it, there isn't enough left for a "meal". I will definitely do this in the future!
  • Kalrez
    Kalrez Posts: 655 Member
    Even at dinner, I try to ask for the lunch sized portion. I offer to pay the dinner price, but I don't want the dinner size.

    I only get water to drink at restaurants.

    I try to skip the bread basket they bring out.

    No dressing on my salad. I don't like the taste of fat-free dressings, so I'd just rather taste unadulterated salad than a salad smothered in not-so-good tasting dressing.

    Whenever I can, I try to plan my meals at restaurants. Like last night, I was able to plan my meal at Red Lobster and left there with only eating 585 calories - 300 of which was spent on 2 of their biscuits. (Again, avoid that freakin' bread basket!) I was completely satisfied when I left. I had a rock lobster tail, 1/2 pound of steamed crab legs, broccoli, and a salad.

    When I can't preplan a meal, I try to eat foods as close to their original state as possible. Meaning, I choose raw before steamed before roasted/grilled before smothered in sauces. I don't eat fried foods and I avoid heavy cream/cheese sauces.

    No dessert unless I know for a fact that it will fit in my calorie goal. Same with alcohol. I don't leave myself room for guessing here. I don't NEED that stuff, so if I don't know that it will fit, I don't consume it.
  • SquishyVicki
    SquishyVicki Posts: 280 Member
    bump
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    On the special occasion to go out to eat at a restaurant, I'll generally pick the leanest protein listed on the menu and swap out starchy carbs with vegetables. Or just consider it a spike day of increased calorie intake. Doesn't hurt every now and then.
  • sassylilmama
    sassylilmama Posts: 1,493 Member
    Great ideas here.
  • DarkenScorpio
    DarkenScorpio Posts: 37
    Cool everyone has super ideas. I'm going to have to write them down to remember them all. I can't always plan ahead tho cause where I live we don't have chain restaurants, it is 95% family owned mom pop stuff. But I try to make sure to match and estimate etc.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    I make sure that I keep a protein bar, apple, banana or something else in my car so if I find myself out and hungry - I have food in my car to eat. I haven't eaten fast food in YEARS because I find it tasteless and not worth the calories I'll give up to eat it. A little preparation makes it so fast food isn't even a thought I have. If I can eat something in my car - I'm not driving along in my car starving to death which WILL lead to bad choices. :)

    When I do go out to dinner (which is very rarely - usually for birthdays or other special occasions) I usually just eat light during the day so that I can go and basically have whatever I want to have -- though I find myself making healthier choices without really thinking about it. I'll take the sweet potato - with butter on the side, no cinnamon over the white potato. I find myself choosing veggies instead of fries. I make sure I get my protein and while it isn't good for me - I often choose beef because.. well, I love beef and only eat it once in awhile now.

    I usually get a salad with dressing on the side. I might have 1 small piece of the bread, but that is all. Oh and I only drink water.
  • duckle777
    duckle777 Posts: 14 Member
    Thank you for this topic.
  • SusanRenee35
    SusanRenee35 Posts: 182 Member
    Thanx for the tips! :)
  • ShanaDarling
    ShanaDarling Posts: 97
    I get the to go box before I get my food. I put half the food in the box when it arrives and so I don't even see it on my plate.

    I have a slight problem with portion control when I'm out to eat - and this idea is GENIUS! Totally going to start doing that.
  • Liquid741
    Liquid741 Posts: 292 Member
    always drink water when eating out and split dinners with my wife....usually they give you too much food, also its a lot cheaper that way.

    if i know im eating out, i plan the calories for the restaurant.

    try not to eat any beef, stick to grilled chicken, no cheese, mayo, and i throw a pc of bread away if i get a fastfood sandwich...
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    If I'm going to pay good money to eat out, I'm going to eat what I want. If I want to eat healthy, I will make it myself where I can control the ingredients. I can't stand paying the mark up for restaurants plus tip. Needless to say, we eat out once a month, sometimes less.
  • DarkenScorpio
    DarkenScorpio Posts: 37
    Thanks everyone for your replies and tip sharing :)
  • ♥xenawarriorprincess♥
    ♥xenawarriorprincess♥ Posts: 440 Member
    Bump
  • joyfulthanks
    joyfulthanks Posts: 155
    Try wearing clothes with a tight, non-elastic waistband. You won't want to eat as much because you know you'll wind up being really uncomfortable afterward! :-)
  • DarkenScorpio
    DarkenScorpio Posts: 37
    Try wearing clothes with a tight, non-elastic waistband. You won't want to eat as much because you know you'll wind up being really uncomfortable afterward! :-)

    lol I never thought of that
  • LovingLife007
    LovingLife007 Posts: 13
    Great tips! I also find that if I'm in a hurry and have to eat protein, I will go through the Chic-fil-a drive through and just get one chicken strip (then squeeze the grease off with napkins!). It is inexpensive and will tide me over so that I'm not tempted to get more until I get home.

    Kathryn :wink:
  • DarkenScorpio
    DarkenScorpio Posts: 37
    Did not know you could order single strips at chick fil a.... interesting and nice way to keep the portion down. I think I am going to start keeping protein bars in my car. They are just expensive :-/
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