Eating out

**esco** · December 10th, 2009, 03:22 PM

Hi everyone!, I would like to know what some of u guys order when eating out at fast foods or resturaunts. I have a hard time, I will have salad on my mind before going in but its different when ordering. I then feel bad after eating all the food.
Thanks for answering my ?

**JustaRandomGirl** · December 10th, 2009, 03:40 PM

I too have this dilemma sometimes. I am really trying to familiarize myself with fast food places menus. If you can, try to look up their menu online before you go.

I have found that if you order stuff off a dollar menu or the kids menu, then it isn't too bad. I never order fries. Maybe a plain jr burger, etc. If I go to a taco place, then I like to get the Fresca tacos from taco bell.

I hear getting just one peice of chicken with a very small side order of mashed potatoes from KFC isn't so bad either.

I hope that helps.

**StepClassLvR** · December 10th, 2009, 04:04 PM

I try to stick to plain salads when I am out to dinner with the dressing on the side. There isn't really a way for the chef to hide butter or oil on plain veggies and lettuce. I know it sounds boring but when you see how many fat grams and calories are in most entrees, it is just the safest bet to stick with salad. And besides veggies are good for you! Just go easy on the dressing and no croutons!

**shoefiend** · December 10th, 2009, 04:22 PM

I agree with justarandomgirl...I look at the online menu/nutritional info before going out to eat if I can. If not just try to make the best judgement call. If I havent had time to look online or their menu isnt available online I take my time reading through all of the options. I dont like to eat salads for every meal either so I look for grilled chicken, baked fish, sirloin and get steamed veggies on the side or baked potato or sweet potato with out butter and sour cream. I also ask for the meat to be prepared with out butter or oil and salads with dressing on the side. If there isnt any healthy looking options I will order what I think is best and have them bring a box right away and pack up at least 1/2 the meal so I dont over eat.

As for fast food... I also like the chicken fresco tacos from Taco Bell. McDonalds - I get the Classic grilled chicken sandwich with out mayo and a side of apple dippers. Burger King - I have read the best option is the whopper jr - no cheese or mayo. KFC - grilled chicken, green beans, and mashed potatos, I read on here somewhere that is the lowest calorie/fat meal option there. My favorite is Subway - they have lots of great options that are low cal/fat.

Also there is a book called eat this, not that. It really gives you an idea of the best choices and would be handy to keep in your car for those days you are on the go. I have been meaning to pick one up myself...They had the author on a show a few weeks ago and talkied about how it can really help when you are out and about and need to make a good food choices. Hope this helps

**Xotiq1** · December 10th, 2009, 05:47 PM

I really don't eat out much.. but when I do.. I just gloss over all the bad stuff and go straight for the soups/salads. I've been pretty immune so far.. even if my friends eat heaping plates of nachoes in front of me.

**BonnieJo** · December 10th, 2009, 07:09 PM

I do not eat fast food at all! If I know I am trying to lose weight I will not go to any. As for as sit down resturants I always check online for nutritional info. Most of the time I just have a grilled chicken salad

**sosassafrass** · December 10th, 2009, 09:53 PM

i'm not a fast food eater...however, if i'm faced with having to eat at a fast food place.

mcdonald's-i eat the grilled chicken sandwich and remove one of the pieces of bread, the fruit and walnut salad and some water.

subway- i eat the kid's meal...usually grilled chicken breast or turkey...add the veggies, no cheese, no black olives...and just a little spicy mustard, the meal comes with apple slices and i'll get a bottle of water.

boston market- 1 chicken breast and a side of string beans and a side of mixed vegetables.

sushi (nigiri) is always great....you can eat a few pieces and its low in calories, or the cucumber maki or avocado roll (don't eat a lot of those). i stay away from a lot of the deep fried or cooked rolls though.

i love indian food...so i usually have tandoori chicken, a little rice and a little cauliflower or okra...or spinach. i have to be veeeeeeeeeeeeeery careful and i eat indian food maybe once a month. they cook with ghee (its like a clarified butter)

thai food...i stay away from anything that has a coconut milk base...unfortunately. i love their papaya salad or any grilled vegetables though at this place i go to.

vietnamese...i had the grilled pork and vermicelli (bun), there is usually a layer of shredded lettuce underneath the vermicelli and meat...you can get it with various kinds of meats. i usually like the shrimp though. i also like pho...i usually get a small bowl and barely make it through half-3/4ths.

i'll have to come back and add on as i remember things.

**KaysKidz** · December 10th, 2009, 10:14 PM

For fast food, I eat at Arby's (plain Roast Beef, no fries), Sonic (burger w/catsup or mustard...no mayo/cheese and no fries), Taco Bell (Fresco menu) and Subway (chicken salad or roast beef are my favs). Each place has an item (and it isn't a salad!) that I can eat, feel like I'm getting a 'treat' and doesn't ruin my hard work! Now, you can't do it every day, but you certainly can do it.

For restaraunts, I look online before going and make my selections then. That way I can get my mind 'in the mood' for what ever I picked by the time I get there and I'm not tempted to order something else only to find out later that it wasn't what I thought.

And fair warning, salads may not be the best bets! Always, ask what comes on the salad, as a lot of times there is cheese, fried tortilla strips etc. And always get the dressing on the side...dip your fork into the dressing first, then the salad. You'll use WAY less dressing and still get the dressing flavor. I still get ranch and can enjoy it this way.

**AirsoftWidow** · December 11th, 2009, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by KaysKidz

For fast food, I eat at Arby's (plain Roast Beef, no fries), Sonic (burger w/catsup or mustard...no mayo/cheese and no fries), Taco Bell (Fresco menu) and Subway (chicken salad or roast beef are my favs). Each place has an item (and it isn't a salad!) that I can eat, feel like I'm getting a 'treat' and doesn't ruin my hard work! Now, you can't do it every day, but you certainly can do it.

For restaraunts, I look online before going and make my selections then. That way I can get my mind 'in the mood' for what ever I picked by the time I get there and I'm not tempted to order something else only to find out later that it wasn't what I thought.

And fair warning, salads may not be the best bets! Always, ask what comes on the salad, as a lot of times there is cheese, fried tortilla strips etc. And always get the dressing on the side...dip your fork into the dressing first, then the salad. You'll use WAY less dressing and still get the dressing flavor. I still get ranch and can enjoy it this way.

My all-time favorite meal to get at any restaurant is breakfast. I can cook a great steak and I make a lot of good soups, but I can't cook a breakfast as well as a restaurant can.

So I still order breakfast, but I substitute the potatoes for another veggie and pass on the bread. When I want a sweet with breakfast, I'll ask for a fruit cup. It's a nice sized portion, and a better choice than pancakes and syrup.

**Fatmomma** · December 11th, 2009, 09:46 AM

I just recently ate at Samurai Sams. It's a "healthy" version of Asian food. They have grilled egg rolls and grilled crab puffs. They also have rice bowls with meats and veggies. You can get carb free bowls as well and all the food is grilled. The best part is that they post the nutrients on the wall and also have take home lists. I found that there are MANY items that are less caloies/fat than the salad with dressing! I have found the same to be true at Applebees, but I had to look their nutrients up online. A good website for calories is calorieking . com (remove the spaces). Hmmmm...I think I know where I will be having dinner tonight!