Restaurant healthy go-to meal?

Steak, plain baked potato, side of broccoli

Just as an example: I went to outback steakhouse last week and had their pineapple pork medallions, mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli. 800 cals for the whole plate, of which I left some uneaten due to fullness. It was delicious!

Bonefish Grill

Ahi Tuna - Medium Rare; xtra blackening (220 cals)
Jasmine Rice (210 cals)
Asparagus or seasonable veggie (70 cals)

My fave.

My small local Mexican restaurant chain has a fabulous mango salsa chicken salad.

It’s a large grilled chicken breast on a bed of spinach topped with chopped tomatoes, a little onion, and mango.

Delicious, filling, and under 500 calories by my math.

If ONLY I could stay out of the chips and salsa...... so I ask for a bowl of sliced bell peppers to dip instead. If they bring it fast, I’m golden. If they don’t, well hello chips.... it’s always a gamble.

Railgrl wrote: »

Consider researching the menu before you get there. I’ve been surprised - after ordering what I thought was the best choice - at how high calories and fat can be in salads, fish dishes, soups etc. (Seemingly healthy meals.) One of the lowest calorie options at a popular restaurant in my neighbourhood is actually the streak with fries! Knowing what you want before you arrive takes the pressure off.

This. I always like to research my options beforehand. Sometimes, you can get a filling meal that's not calorie dense, though sometimes the only choice you have is a salad without dressing. This sometimes happens to me if it's something like someone's birthday and they pick the restaurant, or to celebrate a holiday, or just a family get together or something and my grandma or someone else picks the restaurant and there's not really a healthy options section. Then, I have to decide whether or not I want to just not worry about it for this occasion or stick to my plan and just get a salad without dressing or another dish without this and that.

I'll eat most anything but like bean-based meals (hard to come by outside of chili, for some reason), seafood (like eel nigiri) and... MUSHROOMS! 😋

I avoid sides with rice and was never a big fan of potatoes so I may swap with folks at my table or just leave 'em alone altogether if menu subs aren't possible.

Railgrl wrote: »

Consider researching the menu before you get there.

ALZ14 wrote: »

I like to look up the menu and nutrition information (where available) before we go out.

Bingo! @Railgrl and @ALZ14 nailed it!

I always try to do this, especially if they are a larger chain-type restaurant that posts their calories. If not, I've been able to learn that there are certain "go-to's" I use in a pinch. Usually grilled steak or chicken, and steamed vegetables (not drenched in butter or sauces). Chili's has a good menu that has lighter choices on it, I like the Margharita Chicken!

I stay away from salads at restaurants to be honest because they usually have so much crap on them that they are calorie bombs! Don't be afraid to eat out every now and again. You'll learn how to navigate the menus after a while I promise!

Have fun!

I always look at the menu several days early to decide how many calories I am going to spend on that meal. If I know that I won't realistically be able to fit it in that day's calories I save some from other days or workout an extra time that week to prepare. If I want a roll with butter at Texas Roadhouse (240 calories) I am going to have one but I will make it fit.

If I’m not able to check out the menu or none of the options look like they will fit, a smaller steak or Fish/chicken that is grilled/seared/plain (not battered/fried & covered in sauce), veggies and baked potato (or next closest option) are generally my choices. Broth based soups can also fit as can side salad with lighter dressing options if you’re going to a fancy joint where that comes with the meal. Regular salads are often some of the highest calorie options on the menu.

Steak and veggies/baked potatoes are least likely to have a pile of extra ingredients and taste good “plain” (eg asking for less of higher calorie/fat ingredients in other dishes may leave them lacking taste - where a good steak tastes wonderful without a bunch of stuff on it). You can control the amount of butter/sour cream you put on your potato (vs other side dish options).

salmon or filet and sweet potato with salad. Unfortunately, I usually end up eating blue cheese dressing on the salad, rolls and butter and a large beer which makes the meal a lot more fattening. The Cobb salad at Red Robin is not fattening and is very filling.

I don't remember, it has been 7 months since I ate in restaurant... But most likely grilled fish and vegetables.

Limit the amount of bread, booze, and dessert. These are the real calorie bombs! Divide your entree in half and take home for another meal.

Order a salad with meat and light dressing. Will usually always be under 500 calories.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I've been making B, L, and D since January. We don't have any 'clean eating' or healthy joints out here in the sagebrush. There's a gas station a few miles down the road. They have hotdogs and condiments. I can make a meal out of that. One hotdog is 260 calories, tack on the condiments, add pine cones and dirt. The hotdog tides me over until I can make it home.