Eating out strategies

Posted this to my team a few days ago and got good feedback, so thought to share it with all and see what other useful tidbits we can turn up!

These are some of the things that have worked for me in eating out:

Know what the menu is before you get there and know what you are going to order ahead of time, including drink (water) and dessert (none, share, maybe the three bite rule?).

When you order, ask the server to bring a box out as they serve the meal. Immediately put half of it in the box, before eating anything. You'll be full enough to stop, and too embarrassed to eat out of the box later in front of your family, friends and coworkers!

No bites off anyone else's plate unless they take off yours as well.

Bring on the helpful tips!

Sat. Jun 3, 1:15pm

Knowing the menu ahead of time is key!

Also, if you see a salad on the first page of the menu that looks good, go with it and close the menu. If you don't get to the burger page, you can't order one!

Always ask for the dressing on the side and dip, it'll save you TONS of calories! And ask for light, if that's an option.

Saturday, June 3, 2006, 9:23 PM

I would say, most of all ... enjoy yourself!!! Unless you eat out all the time, I think the best thing to do is enjoy eating out - sure, salad instead of pate -- fish instead of beef -- choose a lighter desert - but enjoy!

Saturday, June 3, 2006, 9:40 PM

I agree with the above - make smart choices, but don't force yourself to eat a side salad if you eat salad all the time anyway. Choose something that really sounds good, sounds healthy (so you don't feel gross or weighed down later) and that you don't have all the time so you can enjoy it. You don't have to eat the whole plate - stop when you are satisfied, and you get a great lunch tomorrow, too!

Sunday, June 4, 2006, 12:28 PM

Here's a tip I just read in Fitness magazine that will eliminate half of my restaurant screw-ups:

BE THE FIRST TO ORDER

That way you can't be tempted to change your mind when you hear what others are getting. I'm totally guilty of this.

Sunday, June 4, 2006, 3:45 PM

Just because it says "salmon, sauted in butter sauce" doesn't mean you can't ask for it grilled or baked without added oil. If the meal comes with potatoes or rice, ask if you can substitute another vegetable instead if you don't really want more starches. They are usually happy to help if you ask with a smile, at least that's what I find!

Monday, June 5, 2006, 6:44 AM

i read in a fitness magazine to wait to order a cocktail or alcoholic beverage until AFTER you have already placed your meal order. sometimes after i have a drink, i lose all willpower to choose a healthy-ish meal.

Monday, June 5, 2006, 9:39 AM

I think it's better to just NOT have an alcoholic drink with meals. The meal is probably already more high-cal than what you'd normally eat, and alcoholic cocktails are full of calories too! Water is always the best, but most restaurants also have iced tea w/ free refills, or you can go the diet soda route. Cutting out calories that you drink is a very simple way to diet.

Monday, June 5, 2006, 10:29 AM

I always order water (tap water) with a lemon... :-) Has a nice fresh taste without adding calories...

The other problem to ordering a drink (aside from calories) is that drinks also add to the cost of the meal-- I'd much rather spend the extra $2-$8 on food that tastes delicious. :-)

I agree on the "reciprocal bites from other plates. Don't take one unless you can give one up. :-)

I am also trying to be in tune with when I am feeling full. In the past, if I was full, I'd still try to eat that "one last bite". Now, I make a conscious effor to push it away... Takes a lot of discipline, but as you start to eat smaller meals, you will notice that you will FEEL full earlier in the meal! :-)

Another thing-- remembering to chew my food vs. gulping it down... I used to gobble things up quickly... Now, i take a cue from my hubby (love him, but he is the world's slowest eater, bless his heart!) One time, I counted the number of times he chewed cole slaw-- it was 75 times for 1 mouthful!!! (I was laughing hysterically--to me, I considered cole slaw to be "pre-chewed!") Funny thing, we were playing a game (Balderdash, I think) later and the word "Fletcherize" came up--the actual meaning of the word is to chew 30 times before swallowing. I thought for sure he had made up the definition (and he thought I had made it up!) but we both discovered that that was the actual definition!

Now-a-days, I try to remember to fletcherize my food thoroughly, so that my body can feel fuller earlier in the meal!

Monday, June 5, 2006, 10:52 AM

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