Hi. I'm trying to lose weight and enjoy eating out often. I'm getting really tired of grilled chicken and salads. How do you all handle eating out and eating healthy? I really wish restaurants would offer more healthy selections. I mean, really, do we need 30 kinds of hamburgers??? Every time McDonalds or Wendys add a new item it's been a fried chicken sandwich or another fattening burger! I have one of those Calorie books that I carry in my purse, and it's really frustrating when you see the fat/calories that go into meals!! Even though my hubby doesn't need to lose weight, it's so unhealthy. IT's no wonder there's so many overweight people in the world.

Any comments?
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!!
PS At least my hubby loves Subway...we normally split one of their 12" subs (one of the healthy ones) and eat baked chips.

Lori

Here are a few sites that can help you to make better choices;
www.calorieking.com
www.dietfacts.com
and
www.thedailyplate.com
www.caloriesperhour.com

Then again, Good Morning America ran as story about the inaccuracies of nutritional information published for restaurants. It was an eyeopening story. A lot of it can be attributed to cooks taking "artistic license" with the recipes provided. They don't think a slab of butter or some extra olive oil are a big deal.

Stay away from Corn on the Cob from Chilis' though. Apparently they inject the corn with a butter solution then cook, and dip it in a vat of liquid butter. So a 50cal +/- healthy item goes to 500+ calories.

Even what might seem like a healthy grilled sandwich may have been basted with butter or oil before cooking.

Another good source for information about eating well is www.hungrygirl.com She has a daily website and recently cam out with a book.
Good luck. Watch out for words like "cream"

I heard that restaurants are going to be required to list the calories/fat on their menus? Does anyone know when this is supposed to happen? I think it's a good idea, but they really need to make the restaurants only use healthy foods, oils, etc. It's hurting everyone and not just people who are overweight. Nobody should eat some of this food they sell.

Just my opinion!
Have a great week!
Lori

I have lost a lot of weight and I changed my eating habits a lot. When I go out to eat I get Salmon (plain-no butter or oil) oils in it already and I squirt lemon on it as I do with my salads (no dressing, no crouton or cheese) and A lot of restaurants put butter on therir veggies so always say no butter-just add pepper and lemon

Try eating a little snack before going out. A cup of high fiber cereal or a crunchy apple helps fill you up & your aren't so ravenous when you go to get something to eat. Eat the smaller sized serving of whatever you want & eat a salad with it. Drink plenty of water.

Go Alacart when you eat out. I used to have the same problem to. However, whenever my husband and I try to pick a place to eat I just ask the waiter/waitress can I add or take away from what you offer (a-la-cart). Most restaurants even the fast food restaurants now let you "Have it your way". So if you go to a fast food restaurant, like Wendy's for example. You can now have a side salad with thier combo or a bake potato. Which is much more nutrtious than the fries. Now if you go to a non-fast food restaurant ask them to give you a side of "Steamed" veggies with seasoning and no butter. You can also ask them to put the dressing on the side of your salad and not on the salad.

There is more variety if you go al-a-cart too. This way your making your own meal and your paying for what your going to eat healthy.

By the way it has become very true for me to get use to drinking a glass or two of water before a meal. It helps fill me up before my food comes and I find myself being able to eat half of a meal when sitting and not the whole thing. So I can take it home for lunch the next day. Also if I'm having a bread with my meal I ask for that with my water.

I hope this helps.

Since I've been on a "healthy eating" way of life, I find I don't have to give up eating out,
just try and make better choices. A small bowl of soup (not the cream type) to start, followed b a small salad help me to consume only half of my entree. I try and skip the breads often put on the table and if it is a special occasion and dessert is tempting, I will take a few small bites and give the rest to my husband.

Ala cart is also a money saver! I recently found out that you can order almost any plated item on Chili's menu ala cart and get one taco instead of three!

Another way to cut your portions is to use the Kids Menu available at most restaurants. I use them at Applebee's and Chili's all the time.

Also, ask for a "to go" container or bring one with you. As soon as your meal arrives, put half into the container and freeze to enjoy another time. I do this alot because my appetite is pretty small and meal portions are way too big for me.

I don't deprive myself the joy of eating out. What I do is order more sensible meals. Chicken sandwich instead of a burger, veggies instead of fries. If we go someplace nice, I ask for a to-go box when the food arrives, and immediately place half the food in it. Keeps me from overeating, and I have lunch for the next day (saves me some money!). Also, instead of getting soda, get a glass of water (with lemon if you want some flavor)

The easiest way for me to know what to eat healthy when I am dining out is to browse the nutritional information online before I go. This way I can plan what I am going to eat and feel good about my choices. Also, I always substitute veggies for high fat sides to save on calories and get dressings and sauces on the side.

I've been trying the low carb diet for the past week. So far I have lost 5 pounds. One of my friends told me about it (from a First magazine). It limits you to 20grams of carbs per day, which is very hard! For example one container of Yoplait Light thick & creamy yogurt (100 calories) has 20grams of carbs!! A typical day for me has been breakfast (egg beaters scrambled with cheese and ham), lunch (protein, veggies), low carb yogurt for a snack, dinner (salad with protein, cheese, dressing). It definitely works, but it's hard to eat out with this diet!! You can't eat at places like Taco Bell (everything they have is carb loaded!!). I can't eat my Special K cereal, potatoes, bread, pasta, etc. I'm just doing it to jump start my losing weight! I sure do miss my Subway sandwiches!!

Anyone else try this approach?? I'm so accustomed to looking at the fat/calories in everything.

Lori