Eating out - any handy tips on dishes to pick/avoid?

[Nikabi]

I am great at fixing a good healthy meal within my limits but eating out is a minefield! Not only are there hidden calories everywhere but the temptation to eat that pudding you promised you were not going to have is just too great.

Anyone have any tips for the best dishes to pick in Italian, Indian, Chinese etc? I try to do my homework before I go out but it does kind of take the fun out of it.

I noticed a lot of restaurant chains have online menus with calories but a good old pub or small business restaurant is a bit more hit and miss.

I try to avoid breads, chips and creamy sauces. I also opt for a small rose if drinking because I know it’s about 100 calories which is easy to remember!

[Hidden]

I usually get grilled chicken and steamed veggies where I go. Chinese doesn't have alot of good options even teriyaki chicken has a heavy sauce. Pasta is not the best choice either. You're kind of limited when you go out but make the better choices and don't do it too often if you can help it.

[Nikabi in reply to Hidden]

I chose grilled chicken and Mediterranean veg when I went to the Italian and was quite proud of myself. But I did have the luxury of seeing an online menu. When choosing surrounded by hungry friends it isn’t easy to stay focused! 🙂

[rutheliza]

thanks for posting this, nikabi, as I've been wondering the same thing. Surely a lentil dahl must be low in calories

[Nikabi in reply to rutheliza]

It’s likely is but it makes me a bit bloated and a bit... windy... the next day! 🙈😂

[Nikabi]

Yeah Chinese is a nightmare and I love it! I try to avoid pasta as they serve too much and if it is there, I will eat it all. In the Indian I tend to go for protein over carbs - tandoori chicken and a side salad. Getting a bit sick of salad though. A veg option at the Indian is a good idea instead. Thanks.

[Nikabi]

I am not on a low carb diet, it’s just because restaurants tend to serve too large a portion and I am weak, and also because a lot of carbs have oils and fats added to make them taste better (rice, potatoes) or not sticky (rice, pasta, noodles). I eat more carbs/less meat at home when I can create a healthier sized portion cooked in a healthier fashion. 🙂

[Nikabi]

I am just happy with smaller portions of all food groups for now. My biggest issue has been overfilling my plate and overfilling it with processed rubbish! 🙂

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Nikabi]

I’m with you Nikabi i agree it’s about balance. I’m hopeLess at leaving food on my plate too, but am happy to ask for a doggy bag 😊

With regards to eating out I choose what I want but work in the calories, eg last week daughter and I shared a pizza and salad.

Thank you for the link to the video Hidden ill watch it later

[Hidden]

For an indian meal, try the veggie sides - chana dal, sag aloo etc. These are all much less oily. Plain rice instead of pilau (share with a friend) and break a poppadum up into pieces to make it last longer.

At Chinese try fish options. My partner loves having a fish with sweet and sour dish. The fish is often exquisitely cooked - grilled or steamed - and you can just have as much (or as little) sauce as you want. Try rice noodles or plain rice as a side. Rice portions in a Chinese restaurant tend to be a bit smaller. Also try things like a pak choi or fresh greens side.

At the Italian restaurant, skip all the pizza and pasta and just have a starter as a main - a big plate of antipasti with a little bread on the side. It may be liberally dressed in olive oil but it's fresh and not overly processed, and it will look great to eat

With eating out it's about damage limitation rather than restricting yourself I think. Also consider the non food aspects. Chat with your friend(s), listen and engage with your surroundings, don't think "food food food" all the time. It's also easier to leave food on your plate as when everyone else has put their knives and forks down there's nothing to stop you doing the same, and before you know it the plate has been whisked away

[Nikabi in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Ruth, that’s helpful. I was going to have just a starter last time I went to the Italian but the choices were all more calorific than a main meal! Deep fried this, creamy sauce with that... I opted for sizzling chicken with veg. I am defo going to try the vegetable options next time I go to the Indian.

[Hidden in reply to Nikabi]

Another approach is to just set aside 1000cals for all meals out. Select carefully within reason and just always call it 1000cals. If it takes you over by 500cals for the day then just take off 100cals on 5 other days during that same week (i.e. calorie cycling), or have a light "brunch" as your only other meal that day

[Nikabi in reply to Hidden]

Good plan. Might try that idea.

[elliebath Maintainer]

Good tips Ruth ☺

[IndigoBlue61]

Excellent video Hidden

Thank you for sharing

[Ceals]

That was such an interesting video Hidden thank you so much for posting the link.

Now off to search YouTube to see what else I can find. Low carb definitely works for me, feel so much better eating this way.