Frustrated! Need help with eating out.

Oh. Never mind.

i fell like crap too after a meal out.. what i am going to start doing is checking the nutrition values online of the meals then maybe pick one ahead of time b4 you even get there might help out...

Honestly I try to keep the dinners out to once a week. It is just easier that way, and you can get what you really want instead of leaving there feeling unsatisfied.

When possible I look at the menu ahead and decide what I'm having. Then when seated I don't look at it again so that temptation to change is gone. I also log the meal before I leave. For some reason that makes me feel like I have to stick to my choice.

Good luck!

I have trouble with this sometimes too. My boyfriend eats what he wants and doesn't gain at all. What I've found works is to give myself two options when I sit down at a restaurant. Either 1) I'll order something healthy which in all cases means some lean meat option (grilled chicken or fish) and veggies or 2) I'll order something not-so-healthy and from the beginning decide to take at least half of it home with me for boyfriend to gobble up for a snack andnotgainapound.

That being said.... the best way to solve this problem is to go out to eat only as a treat and try to eat at home mostly. Maybe talk to hubby about how going out to eat is making it hard for you to achieve your goals? I know it's tough. Hang in there!

check on line to see if their menu and nutrition information is posted and try and make the choice before you go, or maybe you decide not to go.

This. Make the decision of what you're going to eat BEFORE you sit down at the restaurant.

If it helps--this is tough for me, too. I've started asking for a box right after the food arrives and putting at least half of the dinner in the box right away. Yes, the waitress normally gives me a funny glance, but they're always really nice about it.

Good luck!:happy:

So I got through my first week of keeping a food and exercise journal. I had some up and some downs. I just keep trying to tell myself, Progress- not perfection-is important.

My BIG hurdle is nights and weekends. My husband and I like to eat out and I am trying to curb this habit becuase, I know that I lose all self control when I am sitting in a restaurant staring at a menu filled with all sorts of calorie filled meals. My hubby is the type of person that can eat a house and not gain a single pound. So he always goes for the cheesiest, least healthy option.

I ALWAYS go out to eat with the best intentions of eating a healthy meal and then I cave into the high calorie, unhealty option that gives me instant gratification. And then I feel like complete crap 5 minutes after I am done eating.

Does anyone have any helpful hints on overcoming temptation?

Dont go out! Cook at home. Most of the heathier choices are still full of salt and added butters sauces ect. Cooking foods yourself is so much better. Try cutting back to 1 time a week. More then that while your trying to loose weight will hold you back

I choose what I'm going to eat before the arriving at t he restaurant, and then I ask sor a small salad plate to portion my meal out and have the rest boxed up. That usually helps quite a bit!

There is no easy trick, I agree this has to be something you have self control about. I also agree to look at the menu ahead of time and see what you can get. Check the calories and decide what is worth it, then when you get there do not even open the menu, it will save you from seeing all of the other things you may want. Choose healthier places to eat out, obviously portion size and such are a problem everywhere but some places are certainly healthier than others. Other options when you feel like you cannot control your desire to eat the yummy cheesy goodness (we all have those days) is to either order it as an appetizer size or like many others before me suggest, get a to-go box right away and put half in it. I have also been known to ask for double veggies instead of the loaded mashed potatoes, the cheese and white sauced topped chicken is bad enough, at least I can save a little damage by doubling up on veggies. Good luck to you!

I think lots of people do this. Either it's the "getting my moneys worth" or just plain old temptation. It takes some time to be able to focus on getting your moneys worth in the mirror instead of on the plate.

As for temptation, that depends on what you order. Depending on the order you need to find what it is you're really craving and find a healthier alternative. For instance, if you are a steak person, chances are you're craving salt. Try the fish. If you're NEED to have the pasta dish, you're likely after the sweetness in the sauce, try a glazed chicken breast. Or if like me you just must have a steak, find a place that serves it as a salad. The few slices you get are not that high in calories and the salad fills you up.

The biggest issue is the starch that comes with everything. Like the baked potato or pasta. Remember though restaurants are a service industry. They will exchange or omit sides for you.

however, in my opinion it's really not about necessarily about NOT having what you want, but having reasonable portions of it. Most of us are just fine with three ounces of ice cream. Sadly we do HAVE to finish the whole bowl because it's there, and we wouldn't want to WASTE it, and it wont ship well to those starving children. It's better to put a little more decadence into eating out, and leave it on the plate.

Well i was going to say ......**rereads topic** oh THAT EATING OUT.....damn i had some helpful hints too

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False advertising! :grumble:

When I started MFP, I complained of my problem with restaurant food calories, and received some good advice from barbiecat and some other successful losers on the Women 50+ page. She said order chicken fajitas, and then just eat the grilled meat and veggies. If it's a place where they automatically put out tortilla chips or bread, ask them not to, or make your husband keep it on the far side of the table to avoid mindless munching (a big problem of mine). Look up food choices before hand. If you want chips find out how many is a serving size and put that many on your plate or napkin. With careful planning you can have some of your favorite foods when you go out. Since you eat out a lot, you can have a little of something you want each time. And try asking for a to-go container right away, and put half your food in it right away and close it up. That way you can eat it later, or if it's the greasy, cheesy part of the meal, have your husband eat it. And finally, use moderation, not total denial. I could never stick with a plan where I could never ever eat the foods I love! Just one at a time, and not a whole, huge serving. This has helped me, and I hope it helps you too!