DINING OUT TIPS!

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Replies

  • 10kaday
    10kaday Posts: 177
    Get the FastfoodCal app for your phone. It has a quick lookup for your favorite restuarants.

    I focus on less sauce mostly. Hold the mayo, no cheese, on hamburgers. At BK you can still get a Whopper for 510 calories. Skip the fries and soda and save more. Get a side salad with light dressing as well.
  • I use my MFP app to look and see what is best for me. For instance, yesterday I had lunch at longhorn steakhouse. I chose the grilled shrimp skewers (no sauce) with a side of steamed asaragus and broccoli. I did cave and spent 85 cals on a slice of bread. I felt good when I left and wasn't starving. I know that when I go to LH I can have the shrimp, trout or salmon and not break the bank on cals. I choose the places I go to eat by what they have for their nutritional value. Red Robin BAD....I found that even Red Lobster was better. However, sometimes I just go where I want and have what I want. I've found that if I don't do that I am not satisfied and tend to bing.
  • kag1526
    kag1526 Posts: 210 Member
    I love going to applebees they have a decent low cal menu (but watch the sodium!!) and they have these little desserts... the brownie bite is great!
  • breyn2004
    breyn2004 Posts: 162 Member
    Watch for salad dressings... and be careful of any "big salads".. insane amounts of calories! I also try to drink a few glasses of water before I go out.. and sometimes eat an apple or something.. just so that I don't arrive at the restaurant absolutely starving and my "big eyes" get the best of me!

    Excellent tip! I just recently looked up some calories on fat-free dressings in restaurants....CRAZY!
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    If I'm cautious I order grilled chicken, no bun, light on cheese, no sauces, side of steamed veggies.

    If I'm not cautious I order the same thing with fries instead of veg or burger instead of chicken.

    Sometimes I'll just order an appetizer and a side.

    Chinese, I order steamed shrimp and veg and take it easy on the sauces and rice.

    If they have very large portions I order a to go box and box up half of it before I even dig in.

    If it's a special occassion I just have what I want.

    The important part is to figure out what is important to you when you're eating out and consider how to accomodate it.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    Watch for salad dressings... and be careful of any "big salads".. insane amounts of calories! I also try to drink a few glasses of water before I go out.. and sometimes eat an apple or something.. just so that I don't arrive at the restaurant absolutely starving and my "big eyes" get the best of me!

    Excellent tip! I just recently looked up some calories on fat-free dressings in restaurants....CRAZY!

    many fat free dressings are packed with sugar. think about using a little olive oil, lemon or vinegar, salt and pepper.
  • I always look up where we are going before i go so i can pick what i want within my cals from the get go.

    good plan..
  • Oh wow! So many great tips! I know so many seem "obvious" but it's really great to remind myself sometimes on the little things I can do to be better when out eating!

    Also any of you! If you looking for encouraging MFP friends FEEL FREE TO ADD ME! <3 I'm newer and would love a great support group! I'd also love to be an encouragement to others! <3
  • Elen_Sia
    Elen_Sia Posts: 638 Member
    I study the nutrition chart for that restaurant before I even put on nice pants for a meal out. And because of my husband's irregular work schedule, spontaneous invitations from family or friends are a rarity so I almost always know way ahead of time where I will be eating. I've also made it known in my social circle that I'm counting calories so sometimes I'm asked to pick the restaurant, which works out pretty nicely.

    And I always schedule a workout a few hours before the meal. ;)
  • SAY NO TO THE BREAD BASKET!!
    CHECK THIS ARTICLE OUT!

    http://sinorslim.com/diet-tips/weekend-tip-say-no-to-the-bread-basket/#more-457
  • sonjawi
    sonjawi Posts: 46
    I like the eat this not that book and website.the book warns you about calories disasters also in restaurants. That do not publish the calories nonlinear, for example Chilis.
  • MsMargie1116
    MsMargie1116 Posts: 323 Member
    I do not think twice to tell the waiter/waitress how I want my meal... :smile:
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