Vegetarian at Restaurants
macnotes
Posts: 210 Member
Looking for advice...going to be eating out at restaurants a lot this weekend with my parents in town. What should I choose to eat for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner out? We're not going to be going to any "vegetarian" exclusive places either...so a lot of my protein options are cheese and nuts, big calorie foods! Also, I don't want to eat salads every meal, so what else have you found helped keep you satisfied while avoiding all the temptations like fries, appetizers, desserts and soda (pop)
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If the restaurant menu isn't online, I call ahead to see if the chef can come up with something either from the menu or modified. Appetizers are frequently vegetarian, so I might order two of those. Or, I have also asked for side dishes from various menu items to be plated as a meal.0
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Do you know where you might be going? Most restaurants these days do have a vegetarian option. Just stay away from soups unless you know they are vegetarian (ask what kind of stock they use). Some places will modify a meal if you just ask. Asking is key if you really don't want to eat another veggie burger.0
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I try to pick "ethic" restaurants. Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Cuban etc... I can always find something vegetarian that does not involve a salad at those places. Anything that is "American" has hardly any choices outside of a grilled cheese or a salad. Stay away from chains if you can, all of their stuff is processed out the wa-zoo and they don't like it when you say hold the meat. Local or smaller chains don't mind customizing your order.0
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Do you eat fish or eggs? Most places have a fish or egg option.
If not, choose an assortment of sides. Don't be afraid to order a baked potato, steamed broccolli, grilled asparagus, rice pilaf, sweet potatos, etc. You can make a meal out these.0 -
If you live by a Red Robin, I highly recommend it. I have the best luck there both in terms of diet and being veg. They have their entire menu online and you can customize everything and find out the calorie content before you go. I discovered all of this last weekend and it made dining out with my Mom a pain-free experience.0
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I'd suggest going to a burger-centric restaurant, they usually always have veggie burger options, better than just salad or a huge bowl of pasta.0
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Do you eat fish or eggs? Most places have a fish or egg option.
If not, choose an assortment of sides. Don't be afraid to order a baked potato, steamed broccolli, grilled asparagus, rice pilaf, sweet potatos, etc. You can make a meal out these.
^^ FYI, some rice pilafs are made with chicken stock.0 -
My favorite go-to is pasta. Most restaurants will have some type of pasta that you can ask them to take meat out of, and there should be light sauce options like a pesto or something. It's not the best diet-friendly option, but if appetizers, salads and most main dishes are out it's one of your best bets. You could ask for a lunch portion and get a side of sauteed veggies or something. Good luck, I know how it is!0
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I'm vegan and don't have an especially hard time eating at restaurants. I will say there are times I have to "make up for" a deficient restaurant meal, later.
Let's see......last night, I went to a meat-centric pub, and had bruschetta (no cheese), and a veggie burger (no creamy sauces or cheese) with sweet potato fries. I had a cranberry juice with it.
Restaurant breakfasts often include oatmeal, these days. I just check to make sure it doesn't have milk ingredients. But since that's okay with you, many restaurants offer cereal, too. You probably eat eggs, so poached or fried eggs can be good. I believe scrambled is higher in calories, with poached being lowest.
Try a delicious salad with balsamic glaze, praline nuts, and baked goat cheese. I make that for non-vegan guests, and they rave about it.
Consider a protein shake or protein rich smoothie.
Nuts are nothing to fear. I eat 5-10, that's all. Try Brazil nuts. They're very filling.
Have lentil soup for lunch or some hummus with your meal.
Edamame is high in protein and iron.
Well, those are just some suggestions. Goid luck!0 -
Oh! Good idea about the red robins. Still mainstream enough for the Albertans but options for me! Just gotta watch the fries temptation.If you live by a Red Robin, I highly recommend it. I have the best luck there both in terms of diet and being veg. They have their entire menu online and you can customize everything and find out the calorie content before you go. I discovered all of this last weekend and it made dining out with my Mom a pain-free experience.0 -
Still mainstream enough for the Albertans but options for me!
Lol! HEY I'm an Albertan and my tastes are anything but mainstream! :P
Also what city are you eating out in? Maybe I can give some rec's0 -
Sorry about that Cloudbustr.
I'm Albertan too but now call Victoria home. My parents are here with friends that don't like experimenting. We went to Romeos tonight and I ate a Mediterranean salad. No dressing. 0 -
Restaurant breakfasts often include oatmeal, these days. I just check to make sure it doesn't have milk ingredients. But since that's okay with you, many restaurants offer cereal, too. You probably eat eggs, so poached or fried eggs can be good. I believe scrambled is higher in calories, with poached being lowest.
Nuts are nothing to fear. I eat 5-10, that's all. Try Brazil nuts. They're very filling.
Have lentil soup for lunch or some hummus with your meal.
Edamame is high in protein and iron.
Excellent suggestions! Thank you! I didn't think about the poached egg being lower in calories, but you're right, they usually add milk to scrambled eggs and although I love fried eggs, they're in oil.
The Edamame is a great suggestion as well, just Olive oil and salt and bean!0 -
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For breakfast there's always, as previously stated, oatmeal. And don't forget fruit dishes. When we go out I tend to modify things that are on menus if I can't find a vegetarian section (Applebee's for example). I'll order a chicken wrap without chicken and add something like mushrooms or avocado (they usually don't charge extra). Or at Olive Garden I've ordered chicken scampi without the chicken. Yes, you WILL get some odd looks... but hey... you're paying for it... get it how you want it.0
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Do you eat fish or eggs? Most places have a fish or egg option.
If not, choose an assortment of sides. Don't be afraid to order a baked potato, steamed broccolli, grilled asparagus, rice pilaf, sweet potatos, etc. You can make a meal out these.
Vegetarians DO NOT eat fish0 -
Do you eat fish or eggs? Most places have a fish or egg option.
If not, choose an assortment of sides. Don't be afraid to order a baked potato, steamed broccolli, grilled asparagus, rice pilaf, sweet potatos, etc. You can make a meal out these.
Vegetarians DO NOT eat fish
That would be a pescitarian if they do, I think that includes fish/turkey/chicken.
The sides idea is probably your best bet. I do that when I go out to eat. Smaller portions and sides typically have no meat included.0 -
Do you eat fish or eggs? Most places have a fish or egg option.
If not, choose an assortment of sides. Don't be afraid to order a baked potato, steamed broccolli, grilled asparagus, rice pilaf, sweet potatos, etc. You can make a meal out these.
Vegetarians DO NOT eat fish
That would be a pescitarian if they do, I think that includes fish/turkey/chicken.
The sides idea is probably your best bet. I do that when I go out to eat. Smaller portions and sides typically have no meat included.
Thats correct lol0 -
I always find the best options in Thai restaurants. The ones near us have upwards of 10 pure veggie meals.. mostly made with tofu or just vegetables.0
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Pescetarians are not classed as vegetarians. They eat fish and dairy product, but no red or white meat.0
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I always find the best options in Thai restaurants. The ones near us have upwards of 10 pure veggie meals.. mostly made with tofu or just vegetables.
I struggle with Thai food as they tend to use fish stock or "oyster" sauce in their dishes.0 -
I was vegetarian for about 6 months, and going out to eat was the worst. However, most of the time i just ordered side dishes. I would get some type of side salad (even though salad gets very boring after awhile), and then a pototato or rice, and a vegetable. That usually satisfied me .0
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I was vegetarian for about 6 months, and going out to eat was the worst. However, most of the time i just ordered side dishes. I would get some type of side salad (even though salad gets very boring after awhile), and then a pototato or rice, and a vegetable. That usually satisfied me .
We do get treated as "second class" citizens a lot of the time. Its so hard eating out and when I do its all so predictable.0 -
I struggle with Thai food as they tend to use fish stock or "oyster" sauce in their dishes.
Yup, same thing with some Chinese restaurants. I had one place tell me their hot and sour soup was vegetarian because it had no meat and I said, do you use Chicken stock for it, and they said, "yes." Boo.0 -
I'm not going to lie, it is difficult to do this! I always have to have to have the waiter completely modify dishes for me (they never have a problem doing this and it can even cut the cost on some dishes) for example at an Italian restaurant my friends like to go to a lot that literally has no meat free dishes, I asked for there Chicken Broccoli Penne Alfredo pasta with whole wheat pasta instead of white, no chicken and instead more broccoli. Just ask for them to modify dishes for you so that they are healthier/vegetarian friendly. I suggest looking up there menus online or even calling in advance asking what options they have for you.0
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It's soooo not me to go all veg'n nazi, so I'll apologize in advance. But I would only caution that many things that seem to be vegetarian are really not. Sure, lots of soups (even vegetable soups) are made with meat stocks. Myself, I find that many authentic Asian restaurant employees don't really even understand the concept of avoiding meat (much less all animal-derived products, as for me....vegan). As already mentioned, the fact the dish is just vegetables, without chunks of meat, is often viewed as vegetarian, even though it may have meat stock, fish or oyster sauce, etc.
But even alfredo sauce is made with Parmesan cheese which is, by definition, made using animal rennet. There are vegetarian (& vegan...sort of) parmesan alternatives, and more and more vegetarian cheeses on the market, now. But cheese made with rennet is no more vegetarian than traditional marshmallows, or pea soup with lard.
Good luck! :-)0 -
I try to pick "ethic" restaurants. Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Cuban etc... I can always find something vegetarian that does not involve a salad at those places. Anything that is "American" has hardly any choices outside of a grilled cheese or a salad. Stay away from chains if you can, all of their stuff is processed out the wa-zoo and they don't like it when you say hold the meat. Local or smaller chains don't mind customizing your order.
Agreed. Way more tasty options at the ethnic places. All-american places are so limited (especially the casual places).
My favorite vegetarian food choices: indian and ethiopian. I am a dedicated meat eater, and go veggie half the time at those places.0 -
I sympathize with your dilema. While most restaurants are usually accommodating it does irritate me that things are not made easy for us - why don't they just give us a couple of 'proper' meal options - not just salads occasionally. Just because I am a vegetarian, it does not mean I like salads every day! I live in Berkeley, CA, where you would expect to have an easy time - yes there are a bunch of vegetarian and vegetarian friendly restaurants, but I continue to to be surpised by the number that have no vegetarian options (except for the obligatory salad of course!)
I usually end up with either making a meal out of a combo of sides and appetizers. Italian restaurants are usually good as you can (as noted by many others) just get them to exclude the meat and add more veggies. You can also stick to tomato based sauses to keep the calorie count down. Indian restaurants are usually very good for vegetarians as many Indians are vegetarian. Unfortunately, most of the sauces are pretty high in calories. I find breakfast/brunch easiest for lower calorie options as I just order poached eggs and toast with some fruit on the side. If they have veggie-links you can add those too.
Good luck0 -
I remember brining my parents to a vegetarian restaurant here in town and my mom got all mad saying I was pushing my beliefs of vegetarianism on them by bringing them to the restaurant. Made me really shocked how defensive people can get about their food when what they've done for all their life is questioned.
So, that means compromising and going to restaurants that offer mostly meat eater dishes and some veggie options. Thanks again for all the awesome advice. Went out for dinner this evening and did alright! My parents friends, who are really the issue, complained that their coleslaw had curry in it. They are very meat and potatoes and nothing else. sigh. If only they know how good veggie could be!0
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