going out for meals

Go, have fun, get some water down you and kick back in the following day, you still have to have a life x

such a tough one. I know exactly how you feel. I really struggle. Agree with the poster about gym during the day. I guess one lesson/lifestyle change I've tried to make is 'mindful eating' I read a book on it and it's about being really conscious of what you eat. Really enjoy it and savour it and stop when you're full. chew, leave some on your plate if you're full - all those sensible things that I need to be reminded to do (hate leaving food but I've started to learn to do it).
Chinese is good because you can help yourself so take small amounts rather than getting a massive plate of food all to yourself. Eat out of a rice bowl and use chopsticks (if you're as inept as me you'll eat a whole lot less than with western cutlery!) Personally I always go for steamed rice (instead of egg fried), order vegetable side dishes and lean meats/fish and seafood that has been steamed or stirfried (just not fried beforehand!). Dim Sum - steamed dumplings would be ok depending on the filling. I'd avoid anything that's been deep fried. If there's something that you really love (sesame prawn toast in my case) just have a really small piece and really enjoy it.
Going forward you choose the restaurant so that you know there are sensible choices for you. Experiment with different lighter cuisines - Vietnamese/Japanese etc.. Good luck and enjoy it! Don't beat yourself up about it too much.

You don't have to give up eating out, just do your home work, plan ahead and make the healthiest choices possible! Look up he menus (or similar menus) online before you go out and decide what items will fit into your eating plan, then stick to those choices when you arrive at the restaurant. There are healthy choices on every menu (yes, even fast food!). If you take the time to find out what they are, you'll always know what to order.

And if you do over indulge, don't let it totally derail your plan. Just get back on track with your next meal. We all face challenges and we all slip up from time to time. But WE choose how to deal with it.

Blessings on your day!

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you plan it. If I don't plan what I'm going to eat when I eat out, it's always a disaster. I try to research the menu of where I'm going and either use their calorie info, or take my best guess at the best option.

Drink a pint of water about an hour before you go out and it'll help you keep control.

Always ask for sauce / dressing on the side.

Always have some of your favourite thing or this whole calorie-counting thing will get old really fast... .

Here are a few pointers I could find online!

Chinese Dining

Chinese cuisine is typically a healthy option but high fat surprises lurk on every menu. By reviewing our recommendations and making low fat choices, you can enjoy a variety of Oriental specialities.
Strategies

Top 5 tips
• Do not ask for prawn crackers or rice crackers before your meal.
• Ask for your meal to be prepared without MSG (monosodium glutamate, an artificial flavour enhancer).
• Order boiled or steamed rice, avoid egg-fried rice.
• Choose dishes which are stir-fried, not deep fried, and ask for only a small amount of oil to be used.
• Do not add salt to your food - a little light soy sauce will add lots of extra flavour.


Healthy Choices
Starters:
• Clear broths like wanton, chicken & sweetcorn and hot & sour soups
• Grilled seafood and shellfish
Main Courses:
• Steamed, roast or stir-fried chicken, pork, fillet steak or seafood
• Stir-fried vegetable dishes
• Bean sauces such as yellow bean or black bean sauce, oyster sauce, ginger and hoisin or plum sauce
Side Orders:
• Steamed or boiled rice or noodles
• Bean curd or tofu
• Extra vegetables including snow peas, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, string beans, beansprouts, bok choy, mushrooms and Chinese brocolli
Desserts:
• Fresh fruit platter
• Rice cakes
• Green tea

Foods to avoid
Starters:
• Deep-fried parcels such as spring rolls, wantons, sesame toasts and dumplings
Main Courses:
• Duck, especially with skin
• Deep-fried and battered chicken, pork or prawns
• Nut-based sauces such as satay (peanut) or cashew nut sauces
Side Orders:
• Fried rice and deep-fried or crispy noodles
• Prawn crackers
Desserts:
• Banana or pineapple fritters
• Toffee apples

go have fun. get your dish steamed. ask for the sauce on the side. instead of white rice ask for brown rice