Pre-planned eating before going out?

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Phoenix1401
Phoenix1401 Posts: 711 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Is it a good idea to pre plan my meals before I go out to eat with friends and relatives?
Example: I use mfp database and resturants nutrition list on their site to find the lowest cal meal and then enter it in my food diary.
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Replies

  • sam2674
    sam2674 Posts: 55 Member
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    I think it's a great idea. I try to do the same thing
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,134 Member
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    It's what I do. Also, I only eat half of my meal.
  • meggers127
    meggers127 Posts: 27
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    I think it's a good idea as long as you stick to what you planned. We like Red Robin and they have a customizer on their website where you can take the dishes and add or subtract things. If I want my normal burger, it's like 75g carbs with the bun. (I'm on a low carb diet, so that's what I look at). If I take the bun off, that number plunges. But I always pre plan when I go out. I know what I'm getting before I walk through the doors. I don't want to be looking at a menu blindly and hope that what I pick isn't bad. Hope that helps!
  • tinkermommc
    tinkermommc Posts: 562 Member
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    I do it too! After a bad trip to applebees where I figured I'd order off the under 550 menu and didn't realize they are full of salt :-( Now I always check before hand!!
  • mamamc03
    mamamc03 Posts: 1,067 Member
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    ALL the time!! I dont go into a restaurant or order before I have consulted my app. ;) For example, if I go to Genghis Grill...I have my bowl preloaded into my recipes! LOVES it!! Its better to be safe, than sorry.
  • luvmybaby333
    luvmybaby333 Posts: 241
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    I do this quite a bit. :)
  • jennytree
    jennytree Posts: 210 Member
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    I look at restaurant menus if at all possible, so that I'm not panicked into getting something worse for me. It's worked well so far.
  • trolkeeper
    trolkeeper Posts: 127 Member
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    Is it a good idea to pre plan my meals before I go out to eat with friends and relatives?
    Example: I use mfp database and resturants nutrition list on their site to find the lowest cal meal and then enter it in my food diary.

    always!!
  • ARDuBaie
    ARDuBaie Posts: 379 Member
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    Definitely. I have several people who unintentionally try to sabotage all my work by talking me into getting something that I know is not healthy. Usually, they will say something like, "Oh, come on. Celebrate." If I celebrated every time I ate out, I would be a blimp. So I check out the menu online before I go. Most places have online menus. If not, I get a menu from them a few days before. If I have to bring a low fat dressing, they understand. I often bring a tupperware container and I have taken my food scale as well. Extreme. Maybe. But I've lost a lot of weight and there ain't no stopping me now.
  • AliciaBeth78
    AliciaBeth78 Posts: 437 Member
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    I'm actually going out tonight with a friend and I already have my meal in my food log! Now as long as I maintain my willpower not to deviate, I should be ok!
  • Raina27
    Raina27 Posts: 133
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    I always do!! I pre-plan my meals for the next day every night!! It really helps me...like today is my daughter's b-day and I made sure I planned out my ice cream and cupcakes!! :D
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
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    I always pre-plan my meals. If I cannot then I stick to a default of grilled chicken or salmon with no sauce or butter, steamed veggies with no sauce or butter, and either a sweet potato or rice. I also get a salad and tell them no-add ons, only veggies then put vinegar on it. I always manage to stay around 400 calories when I do that.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,967 Member
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    I do
  • sfoxy219
    sfoxy219 Posts: 103
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    That's what i do. It's better than getting there and taking an hour to search the menu to find the healthiest thing.
  • carajo
    carajo Posts: 532 Member
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    great idea! Keep up the good work! I do it as well then if i dont eat whats planned adjust!
  • LenaMena87
    LenaMena87 Posts: 469 Member
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    I have to otherwise I literally freak out and WILL NOT eat out! Crazy I know but hey........
  • HeatherNicoleMomOf4
    HeatherNicoleMomOf4 Posts: 201
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    ido the same thing it helps me so much
  • MissYatta
    MissYatta Posts: 57 Member
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    I always look at restaurant nutrition guides, here, and my calorie book before I go out to eat. It keeps me in line and I know what the healthy options are. It also gives me time to plan ahead with exercise if I know I will be splurging a bit. It's a great idea that lets me go out to eat AND stay in my calories. Nothing wrong with it :)
  • judybrim
    judybrim Posts: 82 Member
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    For sure! That even helps you plan out your whole day's #'s. Great job looking ahead to get the whole picture! :D
  • PrincessLou71186
    PrincessLou71186 Posts: 747 Member
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    If I can, I always do it.

    I make a selection of maybe three of four things that I would like to eat and go for the lowest cal option.

    I don't look for the lowest calorie option to start with though as I like to choose what I want to eat rather than have it dictated to me, which is what I would feel like is happening.

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