Eating out at Restaurants!

If you have MFP on a smartphone, it allows you to see the calories of what you're going to eat before you eat it (unlike the web program, the calories are displayed before you say 'add to diary'). Of course, when you're eating out the best you can make is just a guesstimate anyway, but I always go for the option I find with the highest calorie count, hedging on the side of caution

If it's Indian say no to the popadoms. You can always have a little of the onion salad with some sauce while your friends tuck in. Choose chipatti (roti) over Naan. Try to go for the dry dishes (over the kormas) and avoid rice (it's just a filler and doesn't actually taste of much). I'm a veggie so always go for a dhal which tends to be fairly low cal.

Ask the waiter to take the bread basket away when you order drinks (or ask your friends to take their portions and then have it removed).

If you order something naughty like a side of chunky fries, take a few and then tip water over the remaining to prevent you grazing. Yes it's a waste of food but you're not a human dustbin and if control is an issue this can be a handy little trick.

Consider if you really need to order a starter, main and dessert. Two starters is a good option and try to skip dessert.

It's not the most fun but then neither is having an *kitten* that looks like a 5 tonne truck! Lol!

Ooooh good question! For some reason I started eating out more after starting MFP! Not out of choice but because of social occasions etc. I did a LOT of research! : )

As others have said, if possible find the nutritional info online beforehand. If you're in the UK then Pizza Express, Nando's, Strada and Zizzi's all offer lighter options and calorie estimates.

If info is not available, try and find the menu online so you can have a longer look at it and decide what would be the best options. Generally fish or chicken (not battered or with chips) is a good option, salads (dressing on the side), soup, also you can have starters as mains...steak and salad....

During the day I would try and eat lightly to conserve my calories for the meal and/or exercise during the day, also feel free to get the restaurant to remove unnecessary fats, an Italian I go to often now know not to put butter on broccoli (what they were doing that for in the first place, I have no idea!).

I also found from cooking at home calorie estimates for things such as pasta portions which all helps. I feel quite comfortable ordering pasta with a tomato based sauce whilst out eating now (though check/ask about oil).

If something turns up that was more fattening than you expected then eat less of it.

OR if all else fails enjoy it and count it as a cheat meal. I have a cheat meal once a week and my weight loss didn't falter. x

Wow! Such great answers. What everyone said is pretty much what I do! Definitely hop on the internet as soon as you know what restaurant you are heading too. Once you have a good idea of caloric/fat intake you have a better hold, on how many you plan on sacrificing and what to stay away from. The first thing I do as soon as I get my food is ask for a box. The waiter will look at you kind of silly but who cares. Also if possible order a side salad and drink alots of water with your meal. Too often our bodies mistake thirst for hunger. : )