Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Eating at restaurants



Recommended Posts

What do you order at restaruants? I went once and ordered chicken breast with fruit. It took me the whole time just to chew 1/3 of the chicken and a couple of bites of fruits with nothing to drink.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I look up everything on my Lose It app and decide what I'm going to order based on it's calories and fat content.

I tend to order a lot of Soups and salads because I know both always go down well for me. I also order whatever low fat dressing they have with the salad.

If the chicken you ordered was dry, that could have been a big part of your problem. It's rare I get stuck, but if I'm going to, it'll usually be on a piece of dry meat. If you stick to meat served moist it seems to go down a lot easier.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I share with someone or I order off the appetizer menu. Many restaurants will have pretty good Protein options on their starter menu, like shrimp cocktail. I will order clam chowder or some other Soup if the options aren't looking good.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I usually order fish of any kind but I dont do well with any kind of meat.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I like to order a main course salad, however, I have them bring it out with everyone else's appetizers, Soups, or side salads. This way I have the entire time to eat my meal and it keeps me away from wanting the appetizers everyone else orders. I never feel I have to rush and no one even notices that I'm eating slower because we finish around the same time!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did have to dip the chicken pieces into the cup that my husband had Salad Dressing in to moisten the dry meat. Thanks for your imput.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I usually order fish, baked potato and a salad or vegetable. Obviously I cannot eat everything so I just bring it home.

Sometimes for more casual dining I order the Soup or a chicken or shrimp quesadilla... I will eat usually the insides out of 2 slices and leave the tortilla and take home the rest.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I order whatever I want but try to keep it healthy. There are no foods that always get stuck with me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did have to dip the chicken pieces into the cup that my husband had Salad Dressing in to moisten the dry meat. Thanks for your imput.

Good idea if is fat free dressing? Don't forget those hidden calories... ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I do tend to look up menu's before going to a resturant. My hubs and I went to Ruby Tuesday's the other night- they have a menu that list items and their calorie counts. On this outing I got BBQ chicken breast and grilled zuchinni- it was yummy. The chicken was tender I ate only about 3/4 and half the zucchini, but it was very tasty.

Some places have great fish options- grilled not fried. If we go Italian I always remember that cream sauces are loaded with calories so I avoid those. It is all about looking over the menu and making the best choice out of what you have. You don't have to eat all of it, you can always get a doggy bag.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You should always have Water available for emergencies. I order lots of Soups, and salad with vinegar and oil dressing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

We don't go out very often...found it is much easier to cook since I can't really eat much...but when we do go out I typically split with my 4 year old. He doesn't eat much so ordering a burger or chicken and splitting it works great for both of us (no...I don't eat the bun and may have one french fry). We also really like Mexican food...so I will order or split and order of fajitas with my husband and son. It is enough for all of us and sometimes we even get to take some home to enjoy the next day. When I go out to lunch with my co-worker I will typically order some yummy Soup.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Funny thing.....we used to go out to dinner or get take out at least 3 or 4 times a week. Often more than that during summer when the kids are out of school. I started really getting serious and preparing for surgery right after Labor Day when my kids went back to school, even though I wasn't going to have my surgery until 11/29. Well, yesterday I received my year-end credit card statement. Holy cow! (Yeah, quite literally lol!) I could NOT even believe what we spent at restaurants prior to September (thousands!!!!!!) but after September there was just a handful, meaning less than 10 times in a 3 1/2 month period. So now I am a little thinner in my back pocket and a lot thicker in my wallet. Yay me!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Chilis has en entree called Grilled Shrimp Tacos, it comes with 3 tacos, each filled with grilled shrimp and avocado slices. It also comes with 2 sides, rice and black Beans. My husband and I share this dish, I eat the inside of one of the tacos and 1/2 of the small bowl of beans. My husband polishes off the remainder 2 tacos, then stuffs the empty tortilla I leave with the rice and beans. It's more than plenty for the both of us!!! As a matter of fact I can't wait to go back this Friday!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ruby Tuesdays was mentioned. That's one of my go to resturants. I always get the creol catch. Its about 350 calories. Grilled white fish with spices and zucchini and spaggetti squash for sides. Yum! I also like to go to a local chinese resturant that has a "diet" menu. I get the steamed shirmp and veggies with garlic sauce on the side. Very satisfying. Basically, sticking to a lean Protein and veggie is the way to go I think. Some might include a healthy carb, wich I will at lunch, but I don't eat carbs for dinner.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×