You can pretty much ask restaurants to put any sauce, dressing, etc. on the side so that you can control how much you eat. You also have control over the way the food is prepared (i.e. fried, grilled). Also, I find that most restaurants serve HUGE portions of foods. I usually eat half of it, and ask for a "doggy bag" to take the rest of it home. I eat the rest of my meal for lunch the next day.

There was a book out not too long ago about why French women don't get fat ( I forget the title). The main thesis of the book was that French women eat whatever they want, but that they watch their portion sizes, which prevents them from getting fat. I find it interesting, because when I enter my food into a food diary (i.e. fitday)I find that I can eat a little bit of just about anything, and it will not significantly effect my caloric or fat intake. For example, I like chocolate. I find that I can eat a few squares of it (but not a whole bar) without ruining my day.

I choose whatever I want and ask for a takeout container and put half of it away before I start eating. That way I can clean my plate, which is mentally satifsying, without gaining all kinds of weight.

I also get to eat anything that sounds good so I don't feel deprived and wind up binging later on..

quote:<HR>Originally posted by HSrunner16:
Does anyone else find eating out challenging?? <HR>

Yep, but only because of my choices. I choose to eat organic, vegan, minimally processed and (when possible) locally grown.

Only two restaurants within 100 miles of here fit that bill so I don't generally eat out. I generally prepare whole foods (grains, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables) at home and donate the savings to charity.

If I'm in a social situation, I either don't eat or I get something very minimal but that's highly unusual.

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Portrait of a Vegan Runner[/URL" target="_blank">

When I'm not training, I'm blogging! [/URL" target="_blank">

My husband and I eat out a lot. I am careful about where I go. Any dressings are on the side. Sauces are skipped. We go to fresh mex instead or lard/fried mexican, etc. No fried foods. Baked potato comes with all stuff on the side. Request veggies grilled without added butter or salt. Many menus have items identified as light/low fat or can provide calorie info. I eat salads a lot when we go out too. It can be done; you just have to be careful about where you go and what you get.

http://dwlz.com/restaurants.html[/URL" target="_blank">

scroll down to the big purple box, she has almost every restaurant listed. Most have caloric content and some other bare bones nutritional info, it is mainly geared for WW and the points are listed for each food item. I do not do WW but find this site very useful when deciding to eat out.

Not that I exactly watch what I eat anyway, I do so even less when I'm out. Why bother??? Enjoy!!!

I'm not going to skip a beer-batter dipped, deep-fried softshell crab sandwich on a sourdough roll, just because of the oil and fat and processed flour and possible carcinogens.

Sorry.

I tend to take a more relaxed approach as well when eating out. DH and I are both vegetarians so we go places where we know there are things we like on the menu. We eat pretty healthy most of the time, but don't go crazy.

It's our Friday night tradition to go out for dinner and I think eating out 1-2 times a week is fine if you eat healthy the rest of the week. I love veggie burgers and french fries at Chili's and go there every 2 weeks or so. I always tell myself I should order the steamed veggies instead....but really, who wants to?

I always order dressings on the side and take half of my entree home, so I think it works out pretty well.