2 Ideas for portion control when dining out.

Sep 25, 2010

2 Ideas for portion control when dining out.

It was my husband's birthday yesterday so I took a few days off work and we were goofing off doing day trips.  

When I eat at home, I can easily control my portions because I weigh and measure everything.    Dining out can be a bit more tricky as I am sure you know.  

I wanted to share two things I stumbled upon that were helpful:   

First, we went to one of his favorite restaurants for dinner Thursday night.  It is an Italian place which is problematic for me because most of their menu was pasta and bread and I of course succeed best on low carb diet so don't eat either of those.   But, then I saw these large stuffed shells on the menu.   They were stuffed with Ricotta cheese and chicken.   There were 3 of them and so when they came I simply ate the filling out of one of them, left the shell alone and called myself good.    I thought this worked quite well.  I was able to have protein in a pretty small package and I was not tempted at all to dig into one of the other shells as I didn't want to disturb them so I was able to stop after just the one shell's filling which was approx 2-3 ounces of food.    

My other trick: We went to IHOP for breakfast yesterday.   I made him go because he turned 55 and was able to order off of the senior menu for the first time so I made him go there and take advantage of that.  It was mostly just to tease him about his age.  It was fun.  

Anyway.   Their menu is great for obese people (sorry to be so blunt) but it is pretty horrible for people who don't eat more than a few ounces and prefer just protein.   And their portions are just WAY too big.   2 eggs+ 2 sausages + 2 pancakes (who eats that much - oh yeah, I used to) I also don't eat pork so that added complexity into the mix.  And carb central, they even add pancake batter to their omelet's so they have carbs added.    I could have ordered one of them without the added batter, or they have a heart healthy section with egg beaters and fruit, but I don't eat fruit either because of it's high carb content ....  i was really struggling.  No matter what option there would have been part I didn't eat.  And all of them were still really over-sized.  We were out and about so leftovers wouldn't have been an option so ordering a full meal and only eating a small part of it would have just been a waste. 

So...

I got brave and asked if I can just order side items.   The waitress looked at me sort of weird but said that it would be no problem.  I ordered 1 egg and 1 turkey sausage patty.   

She asked if I was sure that would be enough food because "that wouldn't fill me up"   but you get used to reassuring people that you will be fine...

When the food arrived, It was a little more than 2 ounces of food because I didn't quite finish the patty and then the bill came and it was less than $2.  

I was one happy camper, I am going to do that more and more at places.   I don't know which all restaruants would do that but it is worth a try.   I am used to just not eating a large part of the meal (the carb rich sides) but why pay for them if you never will eat them.    For example next time I got to a place and order a chicken sandwich and not eat the fries and bun,  I will ask if I can just order a side order of chicken breast.  I think it is worth a try everywhere.   The worst case is they say "no".  no biggie, but you don't know unless you ask.  

Anyway, I better get off of this computer and go start my day.    Have a wonderful day everyone.

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