Eating out with friends

I usually just do it then eat less the next couple days.

I have perfected the choice of choosing what I want to eat and then only eating 1/2!

Planning ahead, making sure it's a gym day too or walk more to burn more kcals.

I typically use the keto and / or Paleo restaurant guides. When in a restaurant I typically choose sea bass, Salmon, bison, filet, or chicken without anything on it (order it naked) along with a vegetable and/or salad. If you are in a restaurant serving hamburger, substitute the bun for lettuce wrapped. If I am ordering wings, I bring my own bbq sauce or rub. I always use olive oil instead of dressing. Eating clean is important to me so I try to use the Consumer Reports “Antibiotic Score Card” when eating fast food. Wine seems to be my problem...it’s hard to pass up so I limit myself to 1 glass or I drink a glass of water between 2 glasses/cocktails. I do not drink soda pop at all.

Most restaurants have low calorie options. And like others said, plan ahead. Go to the restaurant's website. Google the nutrition facts and choose your meal before you even get to the restaurant. If all else fails, a grilled chicken breast and broccoli is my fall back meal.

I plan ahead, if I can. Eat lighter through the day, have a game plan for what I'm going to order. I also like having leftovers for lunch the next day!

If I don't have time to plan, or if there's no nutrition info available, I just indulge and enjoy myself and get back on track the next day. Life happens and I have to just go with it, otherwise the stress will knock me down. Weight loss doesn't mean you can't just have a nice dinner date with friends or family!

jesspen91 wrote: »

I am saddened by the people suggesting ordering plain chicken and veg. I wouldn't pay restaurant prices for something I can easily cook myself. The sauces and flavourings are what makes eating out a treat! Having a treat every now and then is not going to throw everything I. Do a workout in the morning and just try and enjoy yourself.

I agree. I know some people really just stick with things like plain chicken and vegetables for their meals (whether at home or out) but I can't do that. I do have some things I'll eschew though (like bread & alcohol) simply because I dine out at least a couple of times every week, so I can't just completely go all out. But I agree completely, a restaurant meal is a nice treat and needs to be something I can't make easily at home...at least something I don't cook at home.

I guess I'll just ask this here on this thread because it's relevant. I'm going to Rome next week and I'm planning to check-in to MFP daily, so as not to stop my streak. I want to experience the flavors of Italy, but I don't want to eat with wild abandon and come home ?lbs heavier! Any suggestions on tracking foreign restaurant foods?
BTW, I'm eating a ketogenic diet - low carb, high fat and under 1200 cals for everyday eating.

I also find it helpful to decide what I'm going to have ahead of time. I make much better choices when I'm in my office looking at a menu online than I do when I'm hungry, sitting in a restaurant, smelling all the tasty food and watching plates of tasty vittles going by. Then when I get to the restaurant, all I do is a quick check to make sure the online menu was current and order according to plan. Very occasionally I'll get derailed by a nightly special or seasonal item, but that's pretty rare. Then I'm definitely in the "eat 1/2" camp. Best part of that is that I don't have to cook the meal I go out for OR one of my meals the next day! Anything to avoid the kitchen, lol....

I would eat lighter during the day so I have extra calories. When we eat out I don't necessarily choose the healthiest thing, I choose what I feel like eating but I have planned for it. What I do is usually share the side or if I feel the portion is too much I will leave half of it.

Last minute dinner plans pop up on me a lot. If you know enough ahead of time to look up the menu and calories it can go a long way to not get sidelined with a calorie bomb of a meal.(AKA ordering what you want and *kitten* yourself when you log it.) If you get invited last minute and can't plan your day to include the restaurant, eat what you want within reason of course. Log the calories and cut it back the rest of the week. Strategies to lower your calories tend to vary by type of restaurant. At burger joints I like to ditch the whole bun or half the bun on my sandwich. Not because bread=bad, but because it's an easy place for me to ditch 200-300 calories and not sacrifice flavor. Chinese - go with veggie laden options or steamed veggies and meat, avoid breaded and fried things. Mexican - Don't overdo it on the free chips and salsa, and order a smaller entrée if you can. You could always get fajitas but skip the tortillas, or ask for romaine shells. Again, nothing wrong with tortillas it's just an easy way (for me) to slash a few calories. At buffets start with clear soups and a salad, eat a little of what you want, but focus on the veggie type items and again, avoid fried and breaded things. Have fruit instead of ice cream and cakes for dessert. A lot of restaurants now have a lower calorie section in their menu too, and that makes it easier to stay within your goals. Perhaps look into some of those restaurants and suggest you and your friends go there. Some that I know off the top of my head are Applebee's and Olive Garden. With some of these strategies I've been able to keep my restaurant meals between 600-1000 cals. depending on where I go and what I eat. Best of luck!

I plan ahead and sometimes even pre-log. Along as I'm within my calories over the course of a week, I don't stress about it.