Hey! I was just wondering what kinds of things you guys will typically eat on a date? (Like a first date or something, where you don't know the person very well?)
I am a HUGE fan of roasted chicken. And homemade pasta and sauce. And fish.... I love some nicely seared tuna, or mahi-mahi... any fish really! We rarely eat out because I cook a lot....
But, as for going out, just be smart about your choices, and try to make sure to stay in tune with your body's signs of telling you it's full. AND don't be scared to ask questions as to how things are prepared. Make substitutions if you need to, you're the one going out to eat there, and if they offer something, they most likely will tweak it for you if you ask.
I think OP is actually asking what WE eat when we go out on a date with someone we don't know well.
Well, I guess I would order whatever I wanted without looking like a pig. I also would steer away from ordering anything expensive. I would also limit my alcohol or not indulge at all.
I have food sensitivities (wheat), so I'd probably go ahead and order a steak - or salmon. With veggies and the side, and no potato. Sweet potato if it's available, hold the butter. No dessert. *Maybe* a glass of red wine, if he were having one. Otherwise, water.
I found that ordering pasta and only eating maybe half was the best route. You get something that's filling and will last all night, you're not eating too much of it, and you're allowing yourself to indulge in front of the new guy so that he doesn't think you're a rabbit. (who knows, he may be uncomfortable himself when he orders the ribs and wing combo while you get a garden salad with dressing on the side)
Most of the time I would barely even eat half when I was first going out with someone because I was all nerves and adrenaline. I would tear up coasters until I made huge pyramids of ripped up paper glory. (yet my fiance still fell for me, who knew?)
when i was still dating (now i'm in a long-term relationship), i found that eating whatever i wanted on dates made the guys go, "what? a girl that eats? that's awesome!" so i would always get a burger or something equally tasty.
that being said, i think relaxing your food plan for a first date is important. you don't want to look like a calorie ****.
I've only been on official dates with one person, who I've now been living with for two years, but when we first went out to restaurants I ate whatever I would have eaten if I was there alone or with a female friend. It didn't occur to me to strategize, because the whole point of the date was to get to know each other. So deliberately altering my food choices to make him think I didn't care about the calories when I do would have been silly (as would deliberately choosing something ultra-healthy to look feminine if I regularly savor the splurge). If you would eat pasta when your guard is down, eat the pasta; if you would stay on plan and eat salad then get salad. The only reason he would feel uncomfortable with your healthy dishes is if you gave off the vibe that you judge anyone who doesn't make the same choices you do or you're denying yourself to look superior, which you won't if you thoroughly enjoy your food and the conversation with your date.