So I had a first. I went out to eat lunch with my son and I could only eat a small amount of what they served. I was actually upset that I couldnt eat more because I felt like I had waisted money. I know! Totally bad thinking! I was actually trying to force myself to eat more because I was so mad that I waisted all that food. I ended up taking it home and feeding it to my daughter when she got home from school; but I have to admit that looking back on it I should have been totally stoked I ate such a small amount instead of mad about waisting the money. Just a new experiance for me. Im going to have to get used to the idea of not eating much when I go out. I dont know if it will be worth it to go out to expenisve dinners any more.

When the hubby and I go out eat I never order a plate of food for myself. I always order an extra plate and share. Restaurants always serve big portions anyway. Doesn't make since to spend all that $ on food when I'd rather go shopping for a smaller pair of jeans with that $!

My drs office gave me a card to show when I eat out asking for smaller portions/allow me to order off childrens menu. Do restrauants really pay attention to that? Pre-band I noticed menus stating there would be an extra charge for smaller portions/special requests.

My plan is to share w/my husband's meal----persuading him to order what I want lol

I have been banded for about 3 months and I have eaten out a few times, and Yes I know we are all being served way too much at restaurants, but what i do is take it home!!! I even do this at breakfast places, I get at least 2 meals from those meals and I actually feel I get my money's worth then. But I guess you would have to be the type of person who eats leftovers too. However, I eat so much less than what I used to we all pry get used to eating leftovers cause it is easier to make a large portion and eat off the rest of it later. (for the next few days) lol But I hope I have helped and gave some of you some ideas!!

My drs office gave me a card to show when I eat out asking for smaller portions/allow me to order off childrens menu.

My plan is to share w/my husband's meal----persuading him to order what I want lol

The kids meal sounds like a good idea at first, low cost, less food. But I would never order off the children's menu because I dont go out to eat often; and when we do, we go to nice restaurants that have fabulous menus. Kids meals are usually chicken fingers or something. Yuck! I've yet to find a restaurant that offers mushroom risotto and fillet or sea food (other than fish sticks) on the kids menu. lol I'm with you on persuading hubby to get what I want. Great plan for next time! :thumbup: Or maybe me and my daughter can share a plate. That way she wont have to order off the kids menu anymore either. I bet she'd like that.

Or maybe me and my daughter can share a plate. That way she wont have to order off the kids menu anymore either. I bet she'd like that.

I like that idea. Will help my son w/healthier food selections instead of chicken nuggets & mac & cheese lol. He's very interested in what I'm eating now....I"ll suggest he & I share the next time we order :thumbup:

I do one of two things when I eat out. I either immediately divide the food on my plate into two parts and eat one part. Then I get a to-go box for the other part and have it for another meal. OR if there is something good on the appetizer menu, I often just order that. For example, Olive Garden has an appetizer that has 8 grilled shrimp on 4 small, thin slices of toasted Italian bread. I eat the shrimp, maybe 2 pieces of the bread and all the stuff (chopped veggies and stuff) on top of the shrimp.

This all sounds so familiar.

I eat out a lot with my family, and I've been mad a couple times that I couldn't keep eating a food I really liked that I knew wouldn't be as good reheated, and that I'd spent money on food I couldn't eat. But now, I do like others here and either split a meal with someone or ask for a to go and pack up half of my food before I even start eating.

Something new for me... I've started noticing how MUCH other people eat, and in a negative way, like "Oh my God, they're really gonna eat all THAT??!!" Wow. I can't help but wonder if people used to say the same thing about me...

such a learning experience, this lap band journey...

I love going out to eat still..and while i cant eat as much either...i always always always take my food to go...sooooo often later or the next day, its the perfect amount for a 2nd meal, and I have found I enjoy the food just as much on day 2. One morning i went to breakfast..ate very little, brought my food with me..and ended up having it for lunch.

The splitting meals is good too - as long as you like what the other person is ordering, lol.