I hate eating out now!

[GotProlactinoma 458]

I don’t get out much but I still enjoy the company of the people and the tastes of the few bites I eat. I understand from the restaurant’s Point of view that they need to charge what they charge, and a good restaurant doesn’t make $ on their food but the alcohol, which I don’t drink, so I owe them. Plus, we went to a wonderful expensive steakhouse recently and I took my half steak home and had a wonderful meal the next day.

at a frequented cheaper place, they will work with you. Tell them (if you aren’t with people who don’t know) about your WLS. I have made buddies with waitresses this way. One Mexican place we go to will just make me a salsa sized dish of Beans with melted cheese served with jalapeños, charge me a pittance, and I’m so happy.

[jaminator 262]

I think a lot of this has to do with the "legacy way of thinking about eating". At first i had the same issue where i would stress about it and think its a waste. Then i decided to just stop worrying about it. Instead of being overly concerned about something going to waste, i just order what i want and eat what i can. If its worth taking home i take it, if not just let them take it away. Before I would think you have to eat it all, but you really dont. The servings in most restaurants are way too huge.

If you dont like throwing it away, then order something that reheats well and then you can have 2 or 3 meals with it.

I got the card too but never use it because i dont feel like having to explain myself, and the kids menu is usually either not good, or not healthy.

Edited March 15, 2018 by jaminator

[TakingABreak 2,733]

55 minutes ago, jaminator said:

I think a lot of this has to do with the "legacy way of thinking about eating". At first i had the same issue where i would stress about it and think its a waste. Then i decided to just stop worrying about it. Instead of being overly concerned about something going to waste, i just order what i want and eat what i can. If its worth taking home i take it, if not just let them take it away. Before I would think you have to eat it all, but you really dont. The servings in most restaurants are way too huge.

If you dont like throwing it away, then order something that reheats well and then you can have 2 or 3 meals with it.

I got the card too but never use it because i dont feel like having to explain myself, and the kids menu is usually either not good, or not healthy.

I agree with the way of thinking. I think as time goes on I will get over this notion that eating out is a waste of money. I will say that eating out makes me feel normal, in some ways, and reminds me of this journey in others. Either way, as time goes on I won't give it a second thought.

[PeacockConnie 17]

 
My doctor does laminate the card for us. Not every restaurant honors it according to office staff but I will try it out probably in September. Another option is to pay a PLATE FEE if your eating with someone else who is willing to share. Cost starts at $1 and up from what I've googled.

Sent from my LG-LS997 using BariatricPal mobile app

[jess9395 5,448]

Many many restaurants don’t even charge a plate fee I eat off my husbands and kids meals all the time!

Something else to note... as you lose weight people ask if your food is ok less and less. Because the truth is, slender people eat like we do all the time! It’s not unusual. No one looks at me twice when I don’t eat much now that I’m a size 4, because no one that size can eat the portions they serve.

[TakingABreak 2,733]

16 minutes ago, jess9395 said:

Something else to note... as you lose weight people ask if your food is ok less and less. Because the truth is, slender people eat like we do all the time! It’s not unusual. No one looks at me twice when I don’t eat much now that I’m a size 4, because no one that size can eat the portions they serve.

This is so true! I keep thinking I'll be a fat person forever, but one day I will be thin and it wouldn't be "unusual" for a thin person to not finish their plate. You don't realize until you can only eat 4-6 oz how RIDICULOUS the portion sizes truly are.

[JanineVSG 93]

1 hour ago, AshAsh1 said:

This is so true! I keep thinking I'll be a fat person forever, but one day I will be thin and it wouldn't be "unusual" for a thin person to not finish their plate. You don't realize until you can only eat 4-6 oz how RIDICULOUS the portion sizes truly are.

You're right! I just went to hibachi earlier and got a side order of just salmon... the waiter was like, "What? You know that doesn't come with rice or vegetables or anything right?" Like, yeah, I know, I'm aware! 😂 I even was able to box up half of it and take it home. I actually like going out to eat, because I like getting leftovers and being able to munch on them for a few days. My husband has even gotten into this habit, too, so he's losing weight as well!

[JanineVSG 93]

Anyway, to answer your question -- try to order "a la carte" if you're able. Or, get a meal that's Protein based and ask for substitutions. For example, the other day I went out to eat and ordered a citrus chicken breast served over rice with one side. I asked for creamed spinach instead of rice and got a side salad. Ate a few bites of chicken, ate my salad, and boxed the rest up to take home! I got 2 more meals out of it. Just look over the menu carefully and see what can heat up well, like you mentioned.

[Creekimp13 5,838]

I love leftovers. I love not having to cook

I have a bag that I take into restaurants with me now that has all sorts of tiny little storage containers in it. If I think ahead and know something will need refrigeration, I even have the storage container with the cold pack built into the bottom. I just bring my own bag of rigid, watertight storage containers with locking lids.... and take everything home.

Don't even have to ask the waiter to make special trips bringing me boxes that might leak on the way home. And I typically do it right after they bring my food.....cut off the portion I think I'll eat, and put everything else away at the very beginning. Makes everything look nice to take home, and no one asks me why I'm not eating.

[FluffyChix 17,409]

OMG. I sparkleheart leftovers! My entree made 4 meals for me. And I ordered a cup of shrimp gumbo/no rice to bring home and it froze into 3 more meals. Score!!! #winningdinner!

[JanineVSG 93]

37 minutes ago, Creekimp13 said:

I love leftovers. I love not having to cook

I have a bag that I take into restaurants with me now that has all sorts of tiny little storage containers in it. If I think ahead and know something will need refrigeration, I even have the storage container with the cold pack built into the bottom. I just bring my own bag of rigid, watertight storage containers with locking lids.... and take everything home.

Don't even have to ask the waiter to make special trips bringing me boxes that might leak on the way home. And I typically do it right after they bring my food.....cut off the portion I think I'll eat, and put everything else away at the very beginning. Makes everything look nice to take home, and no one asks me why I'm not eating.

That's an awesome idea... I'm always looking for ways to cut waste out of my life, so bringing my own containers would be great for that. Thanks for the tip!!!