Dinner Dilemma

Okay... so I'm having a problem. I'm meeting friends out for dinner tonight and the restaurant's menu doesn't have anything that I consider healthy. They do have a lot of salads, but they all seems like they would still be unhealthy (thick dressings, lots of extras). Even their chicken breast is served on top of ham hash. Any suggestions??

Heres the menu:
http://www.sunsetsrestaurant.com/woodbury/menu/index.htm

Thu. Aug 30, 1:37pm

Do you like the shrimp and crab salad? Maybe that would be ok. They have a huge menu, you could probably ask for alterations on dishes.

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 1:45 PM

I would get the SALMON NICOISE SALAD-minus the egg or olives (you get enough fat/protein from the salmon and dressing).

or I'd get the Ahi Tuna appetizer and the small spinach salad. Ask for no bacon and ask if you can substitute another dressing other than the hot bacon one.

And remember-no matter what you get, enjoy it, and don't feel like you have to finish it. Any meal can be doable on a diet if you cut the portion down.

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 1:55 PM

I would order the sirloin - eat half and chose the steamed brocolli over the baked potatoe, the salad instead of the soup and of course - dressing on the side unless they have something like a light vinegarette.

Otherwise the stir fry dishes don't look too bad if you can convince them to leave off most of the sauce (lots of salt & sugar) and I would eat maybe 1/4 of the rice.

Otherwise just pick something you would enjoy immensely and eat a small portion of it.

Bon appetite!

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 2:14 PM

you could call the place and tell them you have some dietary concerns...maybe the chef would be willing to discuss options / substitutes with you before the dinner rush...

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 2:15 PM

the following look like good choices to me: chicken flatbread w/ house salad, dressing on side; OR shrimp cocktail w/ house salad, dressing on side; OR tuscon chicken salad, dressing on side; OR chicken stir fry, lose the rice; broiled walleye, lose the sauce and ask for lemon/lime wedge. sure, some of these options have cheese, but a little bit of cheese isn't going to hurt you. it's a real food and belongs securely to a food group. bon apetit!

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 2:21 PM

I would go for the chicken tenderloins, if they are not breaded and with none of those fancy schmancy sauces.

Oh...and the house salad, dressing on the side

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 2:28 PM

Probably low-ish in calories:
Roasted Pear Salad, add chicken, dressing and gorgonzola on the side
Cobb, dressing on side, skip the blue cheese (bacon and egg are really not that high calorie)
Shrimp and Crab Louie salad, dressing on the side
Tucson Chicken Salad, dressing on side, skip the croutons
Herb-Roasted Free Range Chicken, don't eat the skin or hash browns (ask for extra veggies or a side salad instead)
Half-slab of Spare Ribs - it says they're hand-rubbed, and sauce on the side. Use the sauce sparingly, and be sure to eat around the fat if they're fatty; get steamed veggies and either a side salad or broth-based soup on the side
Filet mignon or sirloin are both lean cuts. Ask for them to be cooked w/o butter (many restaurants add globs of butter to make the steak taste better.)

Stir-frys are tough, b/c you don't know how much oil they're cooking with in the back. You can ask them to not use much, but whether the waiter actually tells the line cook, and whether he listens, is always an uncertainty.

Pasta and pizza are always more calories than you think. But, a pizza split with a friend, and a side salad, might not be super-high calorie-wise.

The sandwiches all sound really unhealthy!

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 2:30 PM

OP here....

Thanks everyone for your great advice!!!

I was hoping not to have to ask for modifications just because I would hate to have to say something in front of my friends. I don't want to seem like a diva because a waiter brought me a salad with croutons and I sent it back. It seems like the consensus is that I'm going to have to do that though. Getitng one of the salads without dressing seems like the best option. I was also a little concerned about not knowing the calories in the dressing.

Again, thanks for everyone's help. I love the support I get on peertrainer.

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 5:49 PM

If you can exercise portion control (or share with a friend) the margharita pizza is what i would choose. I'd have 2 pieces and a glass of wine (if I wasn't sharing I'd have the rest boxed up immediately.) If you focus more on the conversation , drink water, and enjoy each bite - you could get through the dinner without too much damage.

Let us know what you do!

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 6:03 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge