I'm with you, funniegrrl. We rarely eat out anymore but, if we do, it is at an upscale restaurant where the higher price is as much for atmosphere as it is for the food. Personally, I'd rather pay a little more and REALLY enjoy the whole experience than pay a moderate amount of money for food that isn't as good as what I could have made at home. I am sure the fact that we don't go out often is at least part of my attitude since we certainly couldn't afford our favorite restaurants on a regular basis. Still, I am much more satisfied by a smaller portion of exceptional food (even if that means leaving some on the plate) than a lot of so-so food that makes me feel like I got ripped off even if the portion is more than adequate for the price I paid.

I'm not against the occasional chain or fast food meal although I honestly don't remember the last time I had one. Still, the food is never so good that I feel like I've gotten my money's worth regardless of how much food they bring so I figure I might as well stay on plan by sticking to a reasonable portion. And while I understand the concept of stretching one of these meals over a couple of meals I never do it. I always end up with a Styrofoam box taking up valuable fridge space until garbage day! It never looks appealing enough to reheat when it is all dried out and shriveled up in there!

I've noticed that I'm finding it harder and harder to finish full size portions as I get more and more used to this restraint thing. In my favourite Greek restaurant last weekend I shared a starter and dessert with my mother and we had a main course each (it was a 2 course set menu so she had starter and I had dessert, but we shared them). I love the place as the food is fantastic, but I'm still worrying that the next time I'm due to go there it's for a 3 course meal and I really don't think I'll be able to do it justice.

And I'm finding it's increasingly rare that I can cope with more than one course anywhere because the main courses are filling me up so effectively.

I usually don't bother with the entrees; too much food and I have no control over how it's prepared. I typically order from the salads, (everything on the side) even if they are chinsy with the goods. Really though, I prefer eating my own food at home over almost anything I can get out. But I REALLY enjoy the food I eat. YUM, good stuff!

Beverly

Hello everyone. I have two points or comments to add to this post. I (in a previous life of course) have been known to scowl and frown up at people who would "waste" their food at restaurants. I was raised in a typical TX middle class home where my grandparents said "there are children in Africa who would kill for your . . . . (Insert pot roast, carrots, Brussels sprouts, fish, and beets)". And even if we were served foods that we liked, we were made to eat it all . . . or else! Now, I am curious to see eating habits “skinny people" exhibit. I watch them in restaurants and I have been secretly admiring those who leave the 1.5 lbs of fettuccine alfredo on their plates at the Olive Garden. So, if I am satisfied (previously moved to strike "full" from my vocabulary) I just stop eating. I have now started to ask for a to-go box immediately. This is a major change for the hubby and me.

And secondly . . . I want to give kuddos to myself. Usually my best girlfriend and I go out for girl’s day. We usually have lunch and pedicures or shop. Well, this was a different girl’s day. We couldn't think of any healthy places to eat . . . So, I suggested my old demon hangout. . . OLIVE GARDEN ! But, this time it was a different Jenh-ai who danced w/ the food devil yesterday. I order the unlimited soup and salad. I ate tons of the salad and a bowl and a half of the minestrone soup and only 1.5 breadsticks. Oh, and I am sure I frustrated the waitperson w/ my requests to fill'er up on the water (5 times). Long and short it is a new day. And the restaurant experience is a major hurdle for weight loss chasers. I know it. But, it feels great to take new habits along Congrats to all the new habit makers (above).

Excuse my mildly sexist comment, but wow, that is a sexy new icon Goddess!

Very cute.

I too struggle with portions when eating out and getting my money's worth and this is the conclusion I came to over the weekend and posted it on my blog.

Awww! Thanks Matt! Mildly sexist or not, it made my day!

We don't eat out often these days for several reasons. Money is tight. 2 small children don't usually make for an enjoyable restaurant experience My DD (4) is now at the point where she can maintain and be happy with crayons and paper but our son (16 months) can only make it 35 minutes TOPS before he's had it with the dining out experience. Also, I'm a pretty decent cook and I'm often disappointed with the quality of restaurant food - I can make it better and healthier!

Anyway - we did just eat out yesterday at IHOP and I ordered my very favorite thing from there which was the cinnamon roll french toast (sorry - even saying that is serious food porn). It came with hash browns, 2 scrambled eggs (but really it was more like 4 eggs!), 2 pcs bacon. I decided to eat my favorites first (hashbrowns and french toast) and go from there. Well - I gave my bacon away to my moocher husband ( ) and I didn't eat any of the eggs b/c by then I consciously decided that I was FULL! In the past, I've eaten that whole meal without thinking a second thought about it.

My friend and I had a long talk about "getting your money's worth" a couple of months ago when we went out for a girl's night. We talked about how you hate to "waste" food - but then she said, "But if you overeat it, you are wasting it anyway!" That was such a good point! Why make your body the trash can?! That really helps my perspective.

This is the main reason though that I'm very aware of not making my kids eat something just b/c it is "time" to eat dinner, etc. I'm teaching them to listen to their body's and STOP eating when full. I don't like to see food wasted...but more importantly I want them to not overeat and to be healthy and to have a healthy attitude about food.

Good thread!

That is great that you are trying to teach your kids to listen to there bodys. They look so much at what we do and I think that is the biggest reason overweight parents produce overweight children. Some of it may have to do with genes but I would be willing to bet a lot more has to do with example.

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My friend and I had a long talk about "getting your money's worth" a couple of months ago when we went out for a girl's night. We talked about how you hate to "waste" food - but then she said, "But if you overeat it, you are wasting it anyway!" That was such a good point! Why make your body the trash can?! That really helps my perspective.

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This helps mine too! That is a good way to look at it!

The FoodTV newsletter had a great article about dealing with picky eaters (kids): Pleasing Picky Eaters: Eight Ways to Expand Their Culinary Horizons. The Calorieking.com newsletter had an article about childhood obesity that was also very good. It's linked to from this entry at Shrinking the H-Man .

Laura , that is great! I really can see the point! Maybe i have to put it up on my fridge and read it every day to get it to stick into my brain!

ALAS i think i would still try to empty a plate no matter how big! my mother taught me money meant everything and every bite you didn't eat was money thrown away.!! And to try to share meals with my DH! that would be world war 3 (he is a fitness junkie and needs every bite, or so he thinks!(yes he is a healthy weight, but eats like 2 people!)