Beating Restaurants at Their Own Game!

Simple, liveable, options are the key. My whole family is vegetarian.
Need a burger? Veggie burger, no cheese, no mayo.
Skip the fries. Choose a salad or steamed vegetables.
Dieing for italian? Order a meal. Protien + vegetable. Get a small cup of pasta as a side order. - 12/20/2012 1:56:39 PM

I believe in eatinga small healthy snack before going out to dinner or going to a party or holiday dinner- the reason is, if I am not super hungry, I can turn down seconds, and desserts and choose healthier options, but when I feel ravenously hungry, if a bread basket is in front of me, I find it hard to turn down.

I don't go and NOT eat, I just Portion control myself- which most successful weight loss users say is the key: portion control.

If I go hungry, I won't be able to only eat "half my meal" and then save the other half for the next day.

Best wishes!
Lisa - 12/20/2012 3:36:34 AM

I do agree with BAWAGERS that if you are vegetarian Applebee's may not be the best choice, but for people who are not no-meat eaters (like myself...I stick to chicken and fish) I've found that they have fresh choices and they have nice dinners under 550 cals.
I've also found that with many chain places they have a menu or nutritional info online. If I know I'm going some place, I go online first to choose what I'll have. This motivates me to stay on track the rest of the day, and I can track my future meal before I eat it. For me that takes away my anxiety when I see the 10 page menu. I've made my choice, it fits into my plan for the day, choose H20 for my drink and I'm set. I'm not a desert person so that's never a problem for me.

Great Article! - 11/24/2012 6:28:08 PM

Mararittm, I'm always baffled by the "eat before you go out to eat" advice, too. I can understand not starving yourself all day, but it seems dysfunctional to go out to eat when you're not hungry. - 7/8/2012 2:09:43 PM

Whenever I eat out, I actually avoid the salads, because they're either Super-sized salads with not a good portion option, or they have more calories then my daily intake of food! Not because of the salad dressing, but because they have breaded, fried chicken on top, or specially-cooked ham or some other kind of meat or other ingredients that load on the calories. When asked if I could not have some of those ingredients in the salad, the waitress said they couldn't make a special request because they sold the dish as-is.

It's only recently that, when going to one of the restaurants, I was able to order from the kids meals: much smaller potions, decent calories, and I can treat myself to something that I normally wouldn't be able to eat with the regular adult-sized meals. - 5/19/2012 9:47:18 AM

If you are vegetarian, DO NOT go to Applebee's.

That is very interesting the only restaurant advertisement you had is for Applebee's.

Just last night, we were choosing a restaurant to go to with our vegetarian friend. Applebee's was one of our options until our vegetarian friend said that is one of the only restaurants that would NOT work with her for her dietary needs. Therefore, we didn't go to Applebee's and probably won't in the future. - 10/30/2011 2:39:00 PM

We rarely eat out during the course of our regular routine and it's easy to track calories and stay disciplined as far as intake and exercise are concerned. I prefer to patronize restaurants that have the nutritional information on the menu or at least have some healthy choices such as Applebee's. My downfall is when on vacation or cruising my discipline goes out the window and I tend to splurge and then make up for it after we get home. I especially LOVE frozen custard which is practically a diet staple up north, mainly in Wis, Minn, Illinois. I appreciate all the good ideas to stay healthy eating focused that everyone has contributed. - 10/30/2011 10:24:45 AM

I too remove the top bun from burgers. Load up on veggies on a sandwich, avoid mayo ketchup or oils. Subway now offers avocado. They are a super food and a good fat source. Order 1/2 and have them spread it thin for a "dressing" I love fast food but have lost 60# by modifying my fast food. If you must have french fries select about 10,or 15 of the shoe string type and throw the rest in the trash. It is either waste or wear it on your waist. - 10/30/2011 9:42:21 AM

Good advice, but I so rarely eat out, I really want a special treat, so I may indulge in a few extra calories. - 6/12/2011 3:46:59 PM

Being aware of the bread basket is my downfall. I love bread. period. So I try to limit my intake and often have better luck with the bread than I do with the mexican restaurants that serve the baskets of chips and salsa. Those chips I tend to snack on constantly while waiting for my meal and talking with my dinner mates. Ugh.
Good things to keep in mind though the next time I go out to eat. - 3/10/2011 9:22:17 AM

Good advice. Decide what you want most on the menu, then cut back on the rest of the meal to allow yourself to enjoy it. If you are really wanting pie and ice cream, consider going out for just pie and ice cream with that cup of coffee. You'll have to make room in your diet for those calories that day, but it might be really worth it now and then. Best to not let yourself feel deprived. - 12/5/2010 11:12:52 PM

Wonderful article, and very timely for me, as I am heading to Walt Disney World in three weeks time, and we have the free meal plan which includes a restaurant and quick service meal each day. I am determined not to gain while I'm down there. I will be following the advice given here. That, plus the fitness center at our resort hotel, and all the walking we will be doing, will hopefully keep me right on track! - 12/5/2010 1:10:29 PM

good, common sense advice. Learned the hard way today when I went out for lunch to fish +chip shop (I'm from UK) and as very hungry ordered medium cod, chips, mushy peas and bread and butter instead of the usual modest small meal I occaisionally have. Result- indigestion!!!!! and a run to the nearest chemist shop to buy ant -acid. Moral- don't be greedy!!!! - 11/8/2010 3:54:46 PM

Some great tips, both by the author and in some of the comments. Although I check out the nutritional info on the menu when available, I find that almost all restaurants serve 2-3 times the proper portions on the plate. So, I always ask for a "to-go" container when the meal is delivered and immediately put all but a reasonable portion in the container. I have learned pretty well how much a proper portion of almost any food looks like, but I use the "palm of your hand" as a measurement--no portions of anything that wouldn't fit in the palm of my hand--if I am unsure. If I'm going home after eating, I take the container with me and have left-overs for another meal or two; if not, I simply leave the container on the table and let them throw it away. At least the food is not on my plate to tempt me to eat more and or tempt me to "graze" after eating a proper amount. I always choose water (with lemon) as my beverage--healthi
er and actually cheaper since they don't charge for the water. - 11/1/2010 7:56:50 PM

Sounds funny to put donn't go out to eat when your hungry...... um isn't that the only time you SHOULD EAT! - 11/1/2010 9:44:07 AM