Eating out

Eating out is so hard. The portions are so large that they serve you. I either try to split a meal with someone (Usually my Daughter) or I order something that I can eat for lunch the next day and it will still taste good. As for how many calorie to save for a dinner I really don't know I usually eat about 300 to 400 when I go out to eat. I would also recommend that you drink water to keep the calories down.

Try to plan the most bang for your buck for breakfast and lunch. Eat as much low calorie foods to fill you up so you aren't starving. Plan this ahead- so you are prepared on the day and know exactly what you're going to eat. Then you'll have an idea of how many calories you'll have saved for dinner. Don't stress about it too much- if you go over a little- it's not the end of the world. Just dont go to dinner and get lots of pasta or a bunch of fried food with a banana split for dessert

Kraabel said a good thing too- split a meal with someone- else just eat half of your meal and save the rest for tomorrow. I'm thinking if you plan breakfast and lunch ahead- you'll have plenty of calories.
You could also plan a cheat sheet- for example if you go to Chinese- you will know that 1 cup of fried rice is 300+ calories- so you'd want to steer clear of friend rice. Are there a lot of local restaraunts you could end up going to? Try looking at different restaraunts menus online and figuring out calories. Usually bigger companies that are chains (like applebees etc.. ) have "healthy" meals with lower calories (some of them have a weight watchers menu)... then you can plan ahead too so you know ok, if we go to XYZ restaraunt I should get this.... or if we end up at DFG resaurant i will get this... otherwise just have some staples listed--- so for example you know what a baked potato is- most places serve baked potatoes, salads, grilled chicken breasts etc.... then you have SOME close idea of where you are with calories based on what foods you can choose from on the menu!

Have fun and enjoy eating out!

I'm eating out tonight.

The difference is I know where I'm going. So I've looked at the menu on-line and planned what I'm going to eat and then made a best guess at the ingredients for my food diary. It's a bit tedious but helpful in our situations and I don't eat out a lot so I don't mind it. If you're lucky, you find a place that knows and shares their nutrition info.

If I can get a meal that shows +\- 100 cals of what I'm allowed then I choose that. It's not an exact science since the measurements and even the ingredients are approximate. Meat is helpful b/c they usually say 10oz steak or inch thick pork chop, etc. Pasta you can guess at how many cups, maybe even look at a cup of dry pasta before you go to get the visual. Again, some work involved, but like they say, LOOSING WEIGHT IS NOT EASY.:noway:

Good Luck and enjoy being with your family.

So, here in the U.S. portions are OUT OF CONTROL. Usually 3 times bigger than what anyone should be eating in one meal. Is it the same in England or are they more reasonable?

-Pixie

Hi,

Not to worry. Most every restaurant will have salad and dressing on the side. When in doubt, that's what I order. I just measure out my dressing with my smallest spoon since I've no idea how many calories may be in it. I also ask for lemon because I like lemon juice on my salad as well.. Hope that helps.