The 2009 getfit@mit Fitness Challenge is presented by MIT Medical
Strategies for dining out
by HungryGirl on April 10, 2009
April 10, 2009
Post from “HungryGirl”
I have another strategy I wanted share with you before we end our Biggest Loser experience. I have been asked several times over these weeks….
You and your husband like to eat out a great deal. Has this experience changed your routine so that you at stay home more? Do you eat out at all? If you do, how do you handle all the temptations on the menu?
Well, first, we now eat out a lot less. I do not know if it is due to the economy or because of the Biggest Loser event, but we cook at home more these days. It gives me more control over what goes into the pan, and we spend less.
However, when we do go out, I use a few strategies I would like to share:
First, before we head out, I try to make sure we have at least an idea of our destination. This allows me to go online and review the menu. This way, I can figure out what I can and cannot have before I even leave the house. This prevents “impulse ordering.” You know the feeling. You enter a restaurant, and you see the meal on the next table and you start to salivate. Then the waitress walks by with something for the group behind you, you smell that dish, and you just have to have that. Well, planning helps with this. Do not get me wrong, you will still want that other stuff, but you will know what you should have now that you have it planned out, and you can focus on that meal instead.
When we get to the restaurant, I bring in my own salad dressing. Several stores sell a box of individual dressing packets so that it is measured and you know the calorie count before you put it on your salad. This gives me control over what is added to the food and helps with the calorie count.
Also, since I now measure when I cook at home, I can tell if the size of a restaurant meal is too large for my meal allowance. I then ask them for an extra plate and move the extra food onto that plate right away. Then I ask the waitress to wrap it up so I can take it home. This way I will not “pick” at the food during conversation and eat more than I should. I also have another meal for another day. If I have been to the restaurant before and know that it serves large meals I take care of this when I order; I ask them to split the order in half and wrap the second half to go before bringing the dinner to the table.
We have one more week to go. I am down 25 pounds. My clothes feel baggy, and I “have nothing to wear.” It is a great feeling!
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One Response to “Strategies for dining out”
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where do you get the salad dressing packets? do they have to be refrigerated?
I commend your self-control. I wish I had it. I’ve gained 10 pounds since joining the getfit team - I think it has something to do with the perception that I’m working out more so I can eat more