When you eat out.... whats your poison?

We live in a busy world, we are running here and there... Even those of us who gave up eating out during the weight loss phase seem to have returned to the world of restaurants and drive thrus to some extent. When you choose these types of meals how do you balance it with your new life style?

Whats your poison *****es?

Okay so for myself....

**When I decided to try burgers again (out to eat burgers) I started with them sans the bun. Now I can go ahead and do the bun, but I dont always its more of a mood thing. I dont ever order a burger with fries though. Thats just a no go. I figure the bun is enough of a carb any how. I can always steal a fry or two from someone elses plate if I really want one. The only time I steer from this is very rarely at red robin.. even then I only eat 3 or 4 but for the most part I ask for the side salad packed and ready to go as it makes a great lunch for the next day with the rest of my burger patty

** Places I frequent and what I order**

I tend to go to the same places and get the same things that I know are "safe" choices. I

1.) Baja Fresh...The side salad (not on the menu) add corn salsa and use the green salsa from the salsa bar in lui of dressing or the ensanada salad with steak, but thats rare its just so much food and a waste of money its like 11 bucks and the side salad is 3 and even the side salad is 3 meals! If I want meat I toss on trader joes chicken

2.) Chipotle...I do the salad or bowl with barbacoa. I share it with my boyfriend and eat eat about 1/3 cup. I sometimes do a taco but buy just one and add beans to it. Only $2.15 for one!!! If I do a bowl I do light rice...

3.) In and out... Just a good ole burger with cheese and lots of sauce and I can eat about 1/3rd of it

4.) Jack in the box... has ******g nothing good for me sooo if I really want a spicy chicken I get it without the tomato... extra may.. cut in half and sadly I throw the half I am not allowed to eat out of the window as I drive away.... sorry self control is not my stong suit...  I do this rarely cause its ******g caloric as all hell

5.) L&L Hawaiian bbq... OMG I get the beef short ribs... I can get them alone for2 bucks per rib.... or I get the kids the chicken katsu and rice and just have like 4 bites before eating my healthy meal... 

6.) Dickeys BBQ **** ya these folk know whats up. You can buy the meats alone by the 1/4 pound... yup I just got get a varity of meat... and well the free baby soft serve cones sometimes make their way home with me... but I dont indulge every time...

7.) Panda express... Just a small side of mandrin chicken minus the sauce...Yuummmmy

8.) If we ever have pizza I get it thin, cut off the crust and have one...

9.) Red Robin.. ensanada chicken platter, grilled breast and side salad or bacon burger with side salad... I split these with Mike as well.

10.) Taco Bell... Another indulgence kinda place. I go for it. I get my cheese gordita crunch which is so bad for me and just eat half and toss half out as I do 65 down the free way.. 

11.) Number one meal out... a kick ass rib eye, baked potato and green beans... and I eat as much as I ******g want!

12.) any Taqueria.. I get something I can pick apart and take mostly meat... If Im feeling naughty I get a taquito but its rare these days... Right out of the loss phase I indulged a lil too much lol Im over it now.

13.) Chevys... Good old fajitas or fajita salad

14.) Five guys... a bacon burger cut in half.. shared or toss half...

15.) KFC grilled chicken thighs

15.) Popeyes... fried spicky chicken

16.) El Polo Loco...The chicken salad add extra chicken and cheese with a side of tortilla strips... I add extra meat so its a better split for two meals to share or save..

So there you have it....these are my regulars... tell me what you eat friends!!!

If I have to do fast food, I will get a cheese burger on a bed of lettuce or a chicken breast and a salad.  I only do fast food when we are on the road or I am in a big hurry at home.

I really try to stay away from my trigger places, which is just about any ethnic restaurant.  I usually cook my own ethnic food,  When we go out I usually have steak or seafood and a salad.  I always use full fat dressing.  Sometimes I just say **** it and have whatever I want, especially if it has cheese on it!!!  I don't do super low fat.

 

ok...this is going to get me in trouble--placing this on the boards--but I'm going to be honest.  I try not to eat out..actually it's rare if I eat out; HOWEVER, if I eat out it's planned in advance.  For instance, my birthday is May 8 and I'm planning on going out for pancakes that weekend...not ordinary pancakes, but to the pancake house a few towns over.  They have over 100 varieties to choose from and the pancakes are the size of a pizza pie (you get 3).  if that isn't bad enough, they serve corn bread with chocolate chips while you wait for your food.  If you order an omelette, I think they use at least a dozen eggs (it's that big) and you get pancakes on the side.

SO...i try not to eat out but if i do it's planned in advance and it's really ugly!!!!  Who knows, I may head out for ice cream in the afternoon.

Please don't hate me for my honesty.

Hey bigmama3 that's a my birthday, too:)  Enjoy your pancakes for the both of us, and I'll enjoy some tapas in your honor when I'm in Spain for my bday:)

 

I get the chicken fajita pita from Jack in the Box - been there once or twice in the last six months though.  From El Pollo Loco, I get two chicken legs, or one breast and one green avocado salsa - aka delicious, green crack:)

First, I applaud your honesty.

Second, what I think makes this successful is that you plan eating out in advance.

Third, I love lists.

Fourth, what I think really makes this successful is that it's rare.  I could see some of us throwing our hands in the air and exclaiming, "it's a day that ends in "Y", let's celebrate with PANCAKES", but when you get to goal, keep watching yourself, this can be done.

This is something I think about.  It seemed like pre-WLS every freaking week there was some "special" thing that derailed the zillion and two diets I'd been on.  I am seriously considering (when I get to goal) making a list of what constitutes a "special" occasion when I would actually plan for/eat what I liked, and what is just time with friends/family when I happen to be eating at a restaurant and making the best choice for me.

Because, yeah, it is far too easy to turn every day into a celebration.  And then pretty soon you're "celebrating" having to shop at Lane Bryant again. :(

That's why it's important to check in with yourself often.  And when that scale goes up... then the celebrations have to stop.

Actually, I love you for your honesty. I hope you hugely enjoy every single bite of your birthday treat.

I don't eat pancakes at the mo, but will occasionally plan 1/4-1/2 of a homemade (with fresh ground flour) waffle into my day. Topped with yogurt it's still under my 200 calorie supper budget, and it's delicious.

Why did you have to remind me that Jack in the Box has nothing good??? It was my drive thru of choice when we lived in Tx...especially after hitting the bar. It was the ****! lol I guess it's a good thing we DON'T have them in GA.

I've been steering clear of drive thrus too much. When we do go, I either get the grilled chicken salad from Chick fil A, or a single patty burger with no mayo. I take the bun off and eat it like that. Other than that, chicken fajitas, chicken taco salads and just pick at it, ste *** I had "spaghetti tacos" tonight...um...lol

You have all the restaurants out there that I used to love. I hate my life now. hahaha Either that or I need to move out there. lol

I try to order an appetizer unless they are all very unhealthy.   A cup of a very hearty vegetable soup is a favorite.   Sometimes I eat off my husbands plate.   On rare occasions I order a meal and take most home and eat on it for a few days.   My husband likes to eat out a lot so I do not complain.  Breakfast out is my favorite.   One scrambled egg and one pancake, oh so good.