Obesity Discussion Forums

[Chrisydj]

I've heard alot of people on here and from my friends and even my mom and sis say that it is hard to eat out and eat healthy. You can eat most places and still eat healthy. Like by choosing a salad instead of fries or asking the waiter to not bring bread sticks and instead of choosing fried try something grilled. Well anyways my family doesnt like to let me choose where we eat because I always choose this place called Souper Salad. I dont know if they are anywhere else but they are my favorite place to eat healthy. I'm going there for lunch today actually. Its a buffet salad bar with soups and pasta salad and fruit bar they even have baked potates and some little pizzas and sometimes a taco bar plus all kinds a breads. So it is a healthy alternative to fast food and since it is a buffet you dont have to wait for you food. Just gotta be careful not to eat to much. You all might check in your areas for a similar place to eat.

[Gord0n]

When my family decides is time to hit the restaurant, I tend to just go for a veggie burger with salad.

Lettuce
Onions
Tomatoes
Mushroom
pickle
Mustard
Veggie Pattie
Bun
= <400calories Salad = apx 120 calories (i like my dressing) = 520 calories for full meal out. Hey its not perfect, but its better than a 700calorie bigmac and another 700 in fries.

[Obesity Discussion]

I couldn't agree more. I get the healthiest options on my food, ask them not to put stuff on that is bad, etc. Many restaurants have nutritional values posted on their websites so you can research it ahead of time.

[FatSlayer76]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Many restaurants have nutritional values posted on their websites so you can research it ahead of time.

Good advice....that's exactly what I do...and if they don't post it I won't go there.

[Mollymouser]

We really try to eat at restaurants where I can obtain the nutritional information ahead of time. If that's not possible, I just make the best choices possible .... nothing fried, avoid sauces, no salad dressing, no butter .... lean, grilled meats, veggies, clear soups, salads (I bring my own dressing -- ALWAYS!) ... definitely the way to go. And, of course, I order water to drink. If you do order and a large portion arrives, ask for a To Go Box RIGHT AWAY, and place half your meal in it! And, it's perfectly OK to hand the bread basket back to your waiter and tell him "No Thanks!"

It's all about making good choices.

=^..^= MOLLY

[healthy_drinkr]

Yes ... soup and salad joints are probably your safest bet. If you have a choice, here are some pointers off the top of my head:

- choose soups, or dressings made from scratch, instead of canned (they usually tell you, if you ask)
- choose real ingredients, instead of synthetics (REAL eggs, vs. "egg-beaters")
- breads are OK, as long as they're whole-grain
- if given the choice, select meat stews...the high heat from grilling or frying alters the chemical structure of the fats and oils (most stews are slow cooked at lower temperatures)
- preferably, organic restaurants, and I realize that they are hard to find, but they are getting attention nowadays...the extra cost will payoff with lower health bills
- avoid restaurants in the evenings...not only is it more expensive (for the same menu item), but you typically don't need the food a few hours before going to bed; breakfast is the ideal meal for eating out
- skip the processed desserts and stick with fresh fruits
- and since I'm a healthy drinker, I stay with water and fresh fruit juices

[FatSlayer76]

When I am in a pinch and HAVE to eat out I go to:

TACO BELL- 2 chicken soft tacos (fresco style) = 160 calories each

OR

SUBWAY- 6" Turkey on wheat no cheese with all veggies and mustard = 295 calories

The downside here is obviously the processed meats and non-whole grain bread products. Even though I get wheat bread, its primary ingredient is still enriched flour.

[Mollymouser]

Actually, I never order eggs out ... only eggbeaters (which are significantly lower in calorie since they are primarily egg whites, omitting the yolks.)

Many of the salad bar type restaurants have their calories posted online (sweet tomatoes, for example) ... read up before you go because some of those healthy looking soups and salads are astonishingly high in fat, calories, and sugar.

Grilled fish is usually about 30 calories an ounce; lean grilled sirloin is about 52 calories and ounce ... so choose wisely. (Other cuts of beef are almost always higher.)

=^..^= MOLLY