I had the lap band on January 29, 2007. I was wondering about going out to eat now and in the future. What ideas does anyone have for going out to eat. Where and what do you get to eat? I wanted to know about restaurants and fast food, if any. My life revolved around eating out as my social events. And I am so sad when I see my friends going out to eat and I am too scared to go because I feel like I would be sitting there watching them eat. Any ideas? :hungry:

Relax---eating out is not only possible, but I have found it to be easy! One of my first mushy foods was Taco Bell refried beans! And Wendy's chili---still one of my favorites!!! I still eat Taco Bell on a regular basis. We meet my DH for lunch several times a week...so we eat fast food a lot! Has it slowed my weight loss....maybe, but this is my life, this is how we live. I needed a weight loss plan for life, not something I could do for a few weeks. My numbers (triglycerides, HDL, LDL, Blood Pressure) have all returned to normal ranges, so I know that eating less of it, is having a good result.

Taco's, nachos, most mexican food is easy for me to eat. I eat chicken strips, with dipping sauce, tender steak, most places have soups, I also love fajitas, I just don't use the tortilla---eat it with a fork! I love salads at Chili's. I have been able to find something to eat anywhere we have gone. I have had one meal that I got stuck on early on---shrimp at Red Lobster---and ended up in the bathroom, sliming. Yuck!! I have since eaten shrimp without issue, I don't think I realized how hard it is to chew thoroughly!

One thing you will have is lots and lots of leftovers!!! Our fridge is full of take out containers of leftovers! Ask for a box, and do not even think you will be able to eat nearly all of it! BUT!!!! You will not be sitting there watching them eat! You will be eating too---just small bites, chewed very, very well. You will be eating slower than they are, but in the end you will finish your small amount at about the same time they inhale the entire plate of food! I have found that as you sit and visit and eat, and laugh and talk, no one notices what the other is eating, or how they are eating it. I don't sit and watch my dining companions eating habits (unless they insist on talking with their mouth full----yuck!!!)...and no one really watches mine! When I am eating dinner with my DH, we often just share a meal, or order an appetizer and one meal....it is very easily adaptable---and not anything to stress over!!! Go----and enjoy the new you---eating out is not only possible, it is enjoyable!!!

Kat

I eat out all the time. I order whatever I want (honestly). I just don't eat a lot of it. I've given up fast food except for Chipotle and the occasional stop by Taco Bell. Oh, and a rare run by Subway.

When I eat out with people, nothing's different other than I'm not eating a lot. But it takes me just as long to eat my small amount is it takes them to finish their plates, so I'm eating/talking the entire time, just like they are.

To help control my portions, I ask for a box when I order my food - if it's something I'll care to keep. Then when the food comes, I put most of it in the box and set it aside, then proceed to eat what's on my plate.

As for what to order...here are some things I've ordered at recent visits.

Uno's - ordered a buffalo quesadilla appetizer and clam chowder. I took one slide of the appetizer, and ate the "broth" from the chowder, and a few chunks of the potato. Left the clam behind because I couldn't chew it well.

Outback - ordered something chicken that came with corn cakes. Ate part of the chicken, ate one corn cake.

Chili's - ordered the margarita chicken breast and told them to bring me veggies instead of rice. Had a few chips/salsa from the appetizer.

McCormick & Schmick's - ordered the seafood cobb salad, gave most of the lettuce to DH, focused on the crab/shrimp/scallops.

If we go out for Breakfast I will order 1 egg (usually can get these a la carte) and a side of bacon. I normally get through half the egg and one piece of the bacon.

If we go to a little cafe I will get quiche or chicken salad, or Soup. But for the most part that's exactly what I would have gotten before surgery too (never was a big red meat eater).

So really - I go to the same places and I get the same things, for the most part, I just box most of it up or have them take it away when I'm done. And I do try to make healthier choices, e.g. cottage cheese over fries.

You know, a lot of advice is to order appitizers, or order off the children's menu, but I haven't found very healthy options on either of those munus. I would rather order something off the regular menu that is healthier--soup, a salad, grilled chicken, fish, etc. and take the leftover's home. Today, my daughter really wanted to go to Mongolian Grill, so I just got a small bowl, filled it with lots of veggies, some chicken and beef--skipped the rice and noodles, and it was excellent! I tell my husband all the time that I don't care where we eat anymore because it just doesn't hold the same excitement for me that it used to, but I can find something to eat no matter where we go. It has not been an issue at all. The only places I really don't want o go anymore are Golden Corral or Country Buffet, because I just feel like it is a waste of money. As for fast food, I almost always get a salad, but can never finish it. And I also love Wedy's chili. Don't even worry about it--you will be fine. It may be a little awkward if you are eating out with people who don't know you have been banded, because they will not be able to understand how you can eat so little--but just tell them you aren't that hungry or something--and if they do know, they will understand, and hopefully not make a big deal about it.

O'Charleys - 3 coconut shrimp and 2 bites of smashed potatoes or

most of baked potatoe soup

Tony Roma's - 2 ribs and about 4 bites of corn cake

Cracker Barrel - most of egg in a basket , strip of bacon

GD Ritzys - 1/2 burger w/o bun, 2 fries

it will be okay

edie

Hey Kat, In Australia restaurants are now not allowed to let you take doggy bags home because of health and safety food regulations etc. Ahhh! Bloody rules and regs! If I wanna get food poisoning taking some food home I bloody well will!:biggrin1: Susannah

In the beginning, eating out was a HUGE intimidating event for me....but, being a consultant that traveled - it was either eat out, or do not eat. So, I found what helped my anxiety was to look up menus online and see what options I had before actually going to the restaurant. I found the abundance of options on the menu to be overwhelming.

Soon, you get in a groove of knowing calories and portions when food is in front of you and it just becomes routine. I also spent a lot of time on www.calorieking.com or www.dietfacts.com to look up values and options.

If you cannot find someone on the menu that you want - order something special off the menu. Case in point, went to this really great restaurant that I could not find exactly what I wanted and they did not really have much in the way of appetizers - so I ordered 1 crabcake. Totally not a big deal with the restaurant and when my date questioned as to if that was all that I wanted - just said that I really did not like to eat anything heavy at night. End of discussion.

You'll do great!!!