Restaruant Eating

aj_gettingfit
aj_gettingfit Posts: 257
in Food and Nutrition
My husband loves to eat out. We go to the usual places like Applebee's, Chili's, Bar & Grills, etc. When you eat out what is your go to meal if you don't like fish. I know salads can be tricky depending on the dressing and what is all on the salad. Anyways - looking for some more suggestions to keep in the back of my mind when eating out.
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Replies

  • vickieross
    vickieross Posts: 53 Member
    Me TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • tangie82
    tangie82 Posts: 285 Member
    I usually check out the website (if they have one) for a nutrition menu, and make my game plan before I even go to the restraunt.
  • bopper
    bopper Posts: 352 Member
    I like fish but if I didn't I would order grilled chicken, watch the marinades though they are high in sodium. I also eat grilled chicken wraps, dressing on the side. I always get my salads with the dressing on the side also. I agree is it hard to eat out and keep it healthy, low sodium, sugar, carbs. I think restaurant portions are way out of line, way way to big. I usually only eat half and bring the rest home. Do you like pork, that could be another option too.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Applebees? Excuse me why I throw up
  • gummibaehr
    gummibaehr Posts: 143
    I order what I want (within reason) and ask the server to bring me a take-out box when they bring my meal. I put half of my meal in the box before I even begin eating. That way, I won't over eat then I have a nice lunch packed for the next day! Yay!

    A tip for salad, ask the server to bring you your dressing on the side rather than tossed. Then, instead of pouring the dressing on, dip your fork in it before each bite. You'll eat way less dressing, but still get the benefit of the taste in each bite!

    Hope that was helpful! :-)
  • maleva720
    maleva720 Posts: 165 Member
    Check the restaurants website for nutrition info before going so you can choose wisely. I usually get grilled chicken or steak with veggies and a potato.
  • rides4sanity
    rides4sanity Posts: 1,269 Member
    My go to is a salmon caesar, no croutons with drssing (I choose Italian) on the side so I can control it. Or If I have the calories I'll get a small steak and veggies. I dispise fish, other than salmon, but there is usually a grilled fish option on the menu, just watch the sides. Oh, and I cannot, not eat the bread, but I do stick to one piece.
  • aj_gettingfit
    aj_gettingfit Posts: 257
    Thanks for the helpful info. And yes I do like pork. I will have to remember to order dressing on the side and the to go box. Great ideas!
  • terra32903
    terra32903 Posts: 185 Member
    This is the same debate I have been having with myself all week. I would normally check out the nutritional details before going to a restaurant but the one I am eating at tomorrow doesn't have them available. So, I'm just going to do my best as that is really all we can do.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    Applebees? Excuse me why I throw up


    why would we know why you throw up?
  • sparkly96
    sparkly96 Posts: 120
    I agree with Tangie, i make a game plan. I also rarely finish my meal at the restaurant and usually bring the leftovers home for another meal. I also order a side of veggies instead of potatoes. Ask for dressing on the side and dont be afraid to order your salad the way you want. Applebees has a good selection of healthy meals and i believe other restaurants as well are adding healthy selections to their menus.
  • hush7hush
    hush7hush Posts: 2,273 Member
    Oh man, all I ever eat when I go out is fish. ]:
  • Snakey74
    Snakey74 Posts: 276 Member
    I always check the nutrition facts online before I go if I can so I can plan what to get. (even though it's rumored they're not completely accurate) I also ask for things without sauces, seasonings or not to be cooked in butter, and opt for steamed veggies whenever possible instead of rice and potatoes. Sometimes, I just get something yummy and go home and do some "intense cardio" with the hubby. :tongue: bwahahaaa
  • JudyL5305
    JudyL5305 Posts: 196 Member
    I usually check out the website (if they have one) for a nutrition menu, and make my game plan before I even go to the restraunt.

    I do the same thing. i also like to stick to places that have a little bit more healthier menu like Applebee's under 550 menu was actually rated as one of the best by Health magazine.
  • chachita7
    chachita7 Posts: 996 Member
    If I go out I eat STEAK... nice juicy STEAK... side of steam veggies and baked potato or something like that... but nevertheless STEAK...
  • Brademert
    Brademert Posts: 17
    You can always ask the server to prepare it different as well. Most Grilled foods have butter added. Ask for yours to be grilled with not butter. Eat a lean steak, chicken, pork, or fish. Stay away from anything glazed or anything that has an extra sauce on it. Go with steamed Veggies or a grilled Veggie skewer with NO BUTTER. Just dont limit your self to what is shown on the menu. You can always ask to have it changed up during your ordering process. You can also ask the waiter for suggestions. There are a lot of restraunts that dont list everything on the menu. He/She should be able to provide you some alternatives to the menu listings.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Applebees? Excuse me why I throw up


    why would we know why you throw up?

    lol you got me

    To answer your question I thought maybe you worked there?

    Applebees food all comes prepackaged and is reheated to order :/ (except for the steaks)
    Might as well eat a microwave dinner from walmart
  • joyous504
    joyous504 Posts: 72
    I usually check out the website (if they have one) for a nutrition menu, and make my game plan before I even go to the restraunt.


    I always do this as well for calorie and vegan options. More often than not the meals are WAY over in calories, so I will immediately cut what I order in half, sometimes quarters, and take the rest home for lunch or dinner the next day. Sometimes I can get a few meals out of it. By doing this before hand, I can really convince myself that I cannot overeat or I will be over in calories.
  • saragato
    saragato Posts: 1,154
    I usually check out the website (if they have one) for a nutrition menu, and make my game plan before I even go to the restraunt.

    Seconding this. You can not only scope the menu ahead of time but you can see the full nutritional value so you know what to log even if you don't eat the entire thing. If there's not one available online you could always ask when you get there or try to decide based on your knowledge of what is x amount of calories and do your best.
  • SeasideOasis
    SeasideOasis Posts: 1,057 Member
    First thing - DONT EAT AT APPLEBEES! Nothing there is good for your health. In addition, their sodium in everything is higher than most other restaurant chains out there.

    In general, go to smaller places that are more "Mom and Pop." Typically (not always), their food is so much more fresh.

    However, if you must eat at Applebess (and the like), I would get a salad, dressing on the side, with plain grilled chicken (tell them to leave off the seasoning).
  • Brademert
    Brademert Posts: 17
    Also, bear in mind that a lot of the "healthy options" on menus are very deceiving. They may be low cal or low carb but very high in other things, usually sodium.
  • nwhitley
    nwhitley Posts: 619
    I usually stay away from french fries :frown: and substitute vegetables whenever possible. I also try to order grilled chicken or depending on where I am, I will order the appetizer as meal if its grilled shrimp or something like that. Otherwise I will order a salad and then divide my plate into 1/4. I will eat 1/4 (if I'm being really good) and 1/2 of the meal if I'm not:wink: Take the rest home and let my son eat it the next day. I
  • saragato
    saragato Posts: 1,154
    Applebees? Excuse me why I throw up


    why would we know why you throw up?

    lol you got me

    To answer your question I thought maybe you worked there?

    Applebees food all comes prepackaged and is reheated to order :/ (except for the steaks)
    Might as well eat a microwave dinner from walmart

    I feel the same about the coffee place I used to work for. After seeing what they did to the pastries and breakfast sandwiches I never want to touch food from a coffee shop ever again.
  • CherryPie606
    CherryPie606 Posts: 44 Member
    I went out for lunch today and ordered a plain steak and baked potato. It was so good and not terrible calorie-wise. But I'm regretting the 200 odd empty calories of cola that I had with it! I should have just asked for water
  • sherrybaby81
    sherrybaby81 Posts: 257 Member
    Applebees? Excuse me why I throw up


    why would we know why you throw up?

    lol you got me

    To answer your question I thought maybe you worked there?

    Applebees food all comes prepackaged and is reheated to order :/ (except for the steaks)
    Might as well eat a microwave dinner from walmart
    The majority of chain restaurants do this...
  • CapsFan17
    CapsFan17 Posts: 198
    My husband loves Chili's they have a section in the menu that is all under 600 or 700 calories, I try and order from there. If I want something else I just eat half and take the rest home. Applebee's has the same kind of light option section in their menu as well. You can also go online and check out the nutritionla info for most chain resturants.
  • Kellster30
    Kellster30 Posts: 63 Member
    I usually check out the website (if they have one) for a nutrition menu, and make my game plan before I even go to the restraunt.

    ^^That's exactly what I do. I know what I'm going to have before I get there.
  • NamsdnaL
    NamsdnaL Posts: 102 Member
    We don't eat out to much but when we do I go for the grilled chicken without all the sauces and cheese. Some places like Red Robins have a lettuce instead of bun choice. For my side I get a garden salad no dressing or dressing on the side so I can decide how much I want. My big helper is DH who hates cheese and all sauces so he's gotten me into the habit of not having them. But I do have to say I do like a good piece of fish now and then. Oh man now I'm hungry for fish!
  • Sweet_Potato
    Sweet_Potato Posts: 1,119 Member
    I usually check out the website (if they have one) for a nutrition menu, and make my game plan before I even go to the restraunt.

    I do the same thing. i also like to stick to places that have a little bit more healthier menu like Applebee's under 550 menu was actually rated as one of the best by Health magazine.

    That is one good thing about chain restuarants. Don't get me wrong, I love that there are dozens of small, non-chain restaurants in my neighborhood, but I'm always taking wild guesses to come up with nutritional information for these places.
  • aj_gettingfit
    aj_gettingfit Posts: 257
    Yeah I get these places aren't the best to eat at. I'd rather eat at home so I know exactly what I'm getting but that isn't always an option. Thanks for all the help though. I really appreciate the feedback.

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