Are you %$@# kidding me?

I had a 1500calorie meal the other day and still lost 1/2lb...I'd enjoy my lunch and watch myself the rest of the week!

OMG, that menu is absolute insanity. The portions much be huge!

What about Tuscan salmon (1/2 portion) and a side salad? Shrimp w/ wine sauce over squash, mmmm. Spicy buffalo chicken sandwich (1/2 portion). Get rid of half the bread, you'll be even better.

Or do what I do...move calories from breakfast or dinner or today or tomorrow's meals. You can do that. Or, better yet, exercise a little extra. You've got plenty more options if you throw in even a 30 minute walk for 150 or 200 calories.

Please let us know what you end up eating. Vicarious minds want to know.

I did not look at the menu, but why stress over it. It is one of those 'every now and then' event. I guarantee if you go over your caloric intake allottment tomorrow, you will live to tell the story on Thursday. I say eat, drink, and be merry. And if you are still feeling bad about it, I am free that time tomorrow. Send me the address to Edawg@IwilleatitforU.com.

Order healthy, do not be afraid of ordering sauces/dressings on the side. No alcohol, [easy if it is a working lunch}. Some of the ideas above are good ones. But don't fret about it. One of the things we need to learn is how to eat in the real world. Eat healthy and light before and after. You will not derail yourself with one meal.

Maybe just get the side greek salad and add a grilled chicken breast to it??

Ditto! See if you can get grilled chicken, and save the soup for another time.

side garden salad only has 197 calories
all of their dressings look awfully high in fat and calories
dinner vegetables and broccoli looks pretty low cal.
most of their soups look pretty good... not great, but ok. broccoli cheddar, chili and enchilada seem very high!
would you consdier the kids menu? b/c the spaghetti doesn't seem that awful.

I'm going to second dividing the extra calories over the rest of the week, and eating beforehand. Don't go for a super light breakfast and walk in there starving.

I'd say, up your calories for this particular lunch to 700-800 or so - that should be easy enough to make up with a light dinner, and a few cuts over the rest of the week. Also remember that, if you eat 250-500 calories over your allowance, you'll be in maintenance, not gaining, so you have that allowance, too.

Finally; drink water, and avoid dressings on the salads; that's what's bulking up those calories.

get the dressing on the side and add only a little. You may cut a lot that way. If you get a sandwhich, get it with grilled (not fried or breaded chicken). Eat the protein and skip the bread, or only eat half the bread. Bring your own apple or fruit to finish things off and fill up. Drink water or diet soda.

Honestly, don't stress over it. Go and celebrate whatever the occassion is and don't worry about it any further. Eat as reasonable a meal as you can and don't worry about making it up or anything of the like. One meal will not make ANY difference in your long term out come. That is a promise and I don't make promises lightly.

As a matter of fact, there are some really good diet plans (Body For Life is one) that actually tell you to give yourself a free day (no work out and whatever you want to eat) once a week. The thought is that if you have something to look forward to then the rest of the week will be easier and your body is less prone to go into a low metabolic state if it has a day of 'normal' food intake. I am not advocating this diet for you but what I want to get across is that you'll lose weight as a result of a LONG term effort. One special occassion will not make a difference. Just make sure that they don't occur very often.

Good luck.