Going out to eat is a great way to spend time with friends and family. But remember you have "accepted a challenge" and will see it through! Enjoy going out to eat but be disciplined! Yes, you can sabotage all your week's exercise and diet efforts in one meal. Sad but true, ESPECIALLY WHEN EATING OUT!
Eating Out 101
1) DON'T EAT THE BREAD and DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
2) Order a side salad as an appetizer. Ask for the fat free of light version of the dressing on the side. Dip salad in dressing instead of smothering the salad with the dressing. This way you are eating while others are eating too and will deter you from the bread!
3) Order foods prepared using these key words: "steamed; poached; roasted; broiled; boiled; grilled; or baked" NEVER FRIED!!!
4)Beware of foods prepared with the following key words: "Cream sauces; butter; oil; au gratin; breaded; Alfredo; battered or batter-dipped"
5) Do not be embarrassed to ask the server to modify the preparation of the meal, hold sauces, hold the fries, grill instead of fry. It is your health!
6) Have the server package half the meal before even bringing it out to the table.
7) Always leave food on your plate. You do not have to finish everything on your plate!
8) Don't go to a buffet!
9) Yes, the food portion of going out to eat is wonderful. But keep in mind, the company you are with is even more enjoyable. Focus on the company not the food!
10)Relax and Enjoy!
Before you know it you will be dining out in clothes two and three sizes smaller!
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY TIPS TO SHARE FOR THE BETTER OF THE GROUP BEFORE HEADING INTO ANOTHER WEEKEND?
Mamma's on the Half Shell in Canton has a great grilled chicken sandwich. I usually skip the bread as it is too much and usually have leftovers. I replace the fries with a side salad - don't think there's a surcharge. It's my favorite dining out treat!
ReplyDeleteOne of the problems with eating out is that you never know what you are really getting. A very common practice is to infuse beef, lamb or chicken with butter so the meat will stay soft and juicy regardless of cooking time. Even if the meat is grilled you are still eating a lot of butter.
ReplyDeleteThe various condiments and dressing provided to food service are different that the ones you buy at the store. Most have more fat than what you would buy at a grocery, it makes the restaurant food tastes better than what you make at home. Even the stock used in clear soups like chicken noodle or minestrone have been prepared with extra meat fat.
The roasted and baked chicken had herbed butter between the skin and meat when it was cooked, then the skin was removed.
Unless you are eating raw vegetables, you really don't know exactly what you are getting. And a good chef will not reveal his or her secrets.
I ate out last night at an Italian place in Little Italy. I ordered something not on the menu which they made for me. Chicken on Salad. I am pretty sure the chiken, as mentioned above, was prepared with oil. I didn't eat it all but I am pretty sure it wasn't made without any butter or oil. I really tried hard to not have any Italian bread, I maybe had 2 bites. I also order the garden veggies steamed and minestrone soup which was just steamed brocolli and carrots in broth. I ate the veggies out of it. It was lame seriously. While my fiance was downing ravioli I was eating a head of brocolli. But I know that I have a goal and over the next few months I will be eating with him in jeans that are much samller!! Dining out is super hard and I really try to avoid it. I end up, even when trying to be healthy, not satisfied or nibbling on others meals b/c mine is just much less appitizing! Eating at home allows me to doctor up the food in a way I like and I don't feel deprived. So for now I think as sad as it is, I just need to stay in!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jill. It is hard to watch your friends eat french fries, desserts, bread, burgers or whatever they desire. Especially the skinny ones that don't exercise.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I like to have control of where I eat out. That way I know I will be able to find a healthy non-disappointing dinner out.
I have found myself nibbling on light yogurt and almonds while my friends eat McDonalds. I am impressed with my willpower.
I agree... I try & eat home as much as possible so I can control my food (and can make something yummy yet low in calories & fat). I am going to Atlantic City tomorrow night & begged friends to have sushi for dinner so I can stay on track, but they don't want it :o( Guess I will have to make the best choice I can with whatever we choose.... which I usually ask for a big salad w/grilled chicken because I know it's 'safe'
ReplyDeleteOk, so let's have a social life and have a healthy meal with the group! Carrie Polley offered her place once so we are taking her up on it! We will plan a date and have a healthy get together!!!
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