Question about how I can eat less when i'm with my boyfriend

My boyfriend has what has to be the fastest metabolism I've ever seen! He can eat a pound of meat. I of course can't. When we're out, I eat much more than I would if I was hanging out with my dog. It's wreaking havoc on my diet. But what can I do when we're out at a restaurant? It's like my eyes see a different size.

Thu. Jan 19, 1:22pm

I sympathize

My husband is super skinny and bikes a lot, so I have the same problem. I've had some luck with dividing my plate when it first arrives. Push half the burger and 2/3 of the fries to one side of the plate and just eat what's left in front of you. And of course, never eat fries directly out of a basket - put a reasonable amount on a plate!

Of course, that doesn't help you order something healthy, it just limits the damage. My husband usually orders the biggest burger on the menu. And I think mmm.... meat. Who wants a salad when you can have meat? On a good day, I'll barter some of my salad for a bite or two of his burger (or whatever) - because a big salad + two bites of burger is better than ordering a burger of my own - even if I only eat half of it.

Best of Luck!

Thursday, January 19, 2006, 1:43 PM

I have the same issue. What I do is try to 'share.' Sharing for us means I give him half of mine, and I only have a taste of his.

Thursday, January 19, 2006, 1:44 PM

My fiance is skinny too, and I had this problem when we first started dating. I gained 4lbs in the first 10 months that we were together; then, I maintained (while dieting!) for about 4, and since then, I've lost 6, so I'm down 2 from when we met, so it is possible to get back under control!

If we go to a burger place, I know I'm not going to eat a healthy salad. I'll try and order a burger, with veggies on the side instead of fries (or sometimes, I order the fries... but only at restaurants where I know they're really good!) But, I never eat the bun. None of it. I eat the burger w/ a fork and knife. That'll save a good 200 calories at most restaurants, and really, you still get the good stuff!! It won't turn it into a healthy meal, but it'll make it a lot less bad. Plus, I always order a diet coke or a water, never a beer or regular soda. That eliminates another hundred + calories that I would've eaten, and I don't really miss them.

If we go out somewhere with a yummy chopped salad, I'll order it, w/ dressing on the side, and just dip a little. If the only salad options, though, are like w/ fried chicken on top, I know I'm not going to just eat lettuce for dinner, so I'll order something other than salad, b/c fried chicken is bad for you whether it's on a salad or not.

Also, we try and cook a lot, rather than going out, b/c it's way cheaper. That way, though, I can control my portion size (dish food out in the kitchen, give him more, and pack everything away in the fridge as leftovers), and control what goes into it (saute stuff in PAM, not oil), and I can do things like give him a big portion of meat and a small one of veggies, and me a small portion of meat and tons of veggies.

When we order in pizza (probably like once every 2 months), we'll just order 1 medium pizza, and I'll eat a slice or two, and make something else to go with it (a salad, an apple, whatever), and he'll eat the rest of the pizza. Really, after it's been sitting out and cools down, it's not even that good or worth it. Sure, I could eat way more, but really, I'm not hungry after a slice plus some other food. And 1 slice of a medium pizza is something like 300 calories, not enough to ruin a day!

My biggest suggestion is, if you're going out somewhere that's a chain, look up the nutritional information before you go, and decide what you're going to eat beforehand. It's easy to order just that if you don't even pick up your menu at the restaurant. Then you know you'll do well.

If that can't happen, though, and there's something you really want that's not so healthy, make sure that the other items you eat are healthy. (For example, if you really want a burger, ask for veggies on the side instead of fries, and don't eat the bun. If you really want fries, order a grilled chicken sandwich, and again, don't eat the bun. If you really want orange chicken at Panda Express, get steamed veggies on the side instead of white rice, if you really want a fudgy dessert, just order a salad w/ lean protein and fat free dressing on the side... you get the picture) You can have what you want, just give yourself some rules to work with.

Good luck, you can do it!

Thursday, January 19, 2006, 2:30 PM

I have the same problem! My boyfriend eats the fattiest foods ever and still comes out looking like he goes to the gym daily! So not fair...and I always end up chowing down on his food...lately however, I have been taking over the decision making on what we eat or where we eat...it's helped a bit.

anyways, good luck!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 6:14 PM

The problem I have is that my husband eats so fast. We sometimes share snacks like chips or popcorn. If I was eating on my own I would savor the snack, eat it slowly, and stop when I was full. But if I'm sharing with my husband I eat really fast because I'm afraid he's going to eat it all before I get my fair share. I've learned we just can't share a bag or a bowl. I need my own bowl so that I know my portion is "safe". Then I eat more slowly and sometimes save the rest for later since I know I'm not at risk of losing it if I don't eat it all RIGHT NOW.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 6:39 PM

I agree with the previous poster.

And when you guys go out to eat.....try to slow down your eating. Or put your fork down between every bite. It really does make a difference and you'll probably feel full a lot faster which means your portion is smaller.

Thursday, July 3, 2008, 1:18 PM

I deal with this problem by putting half of my order in a doggy bag so that my husband can have it for his midnight snack.

Sunday, July 13, 2008, 1:05 AM

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