Meh, so tonight I don't have much choice but to go with my whole family to Red Lobster. I was like, okay...sure, they have those yummy, delicious cheese biscuits--but I will resist. I will plan. I will look at their menu online and their nutritional estimates.

But I'm a little skeptical of their estimations. I cross checked their estimations with Fit Day and other websites and got hugely different numbers. And it seems like Red Lobster is WAY underestimating. I mean, this isn't an exact science, as I am not totally sure of the amounts Red Lobster offers, but I highly doubt that some of the entrees are really only 280 calories.

What should I do? Eat something totally gross like salad just to be safe? I mean, I'm getting 500 calorie difference estimates.

you know ive had this problem arise many times with restaurants. it says one thing on their website and another on calorie counting websites.

getting nutritional info on food is expensive, which is why only large restaurant chains typically do it. i would assume that their info is more accurate, because i doubt the calorie websites paid to have the nutritional info examined, BUT they may also slightly lowball. i usually split the difference.

restaurants are a challenge for me, and tend to be my caloric downfall.

I decided for myself, that I have to make the choice of what I want more, to lose the weight, and make better choices calorie and health wise at restaurants now, or not lose the weight, and eat the higher calorie choices of what I might want in the moment.

I've been b&m'ing to bf about how I'm not losing the weight faster. it's up to me what I want, I have to make the choices and do it.

on a practical level, you can eat something before you go so you're not so tempted once you're there, say a fruit or piece of chicken, carrots, whatever works for you. I like salads, but in restaurants they can be as calorically dangerous as cheese biscuits, ha.

Red Lobster has a selection of fish that you can request cooked as you like (at least that's how it is in Canada). Can you order a piece of fresh fish broiled with lemon and herbs, with a side of steamed veggies?

Notice that on the Red Lobster nutrition sheet some of the values are for HALF PORTIONS...

Jay

Yay! Success!

I managed to restrict myself to two cheese-garlic biscuits (originally planned on having one, but I'm not too upset) for a total of 320 calories.

My entree was jumbo garlic shrimp, which according to a third party website (which had a higher estimate than the Red Lobster website) should be a total of 300 calories. I didn't even eat all the shrimp. I also ate the steamed broccoli side.

That puts me at 1,000 calories for the day, room for a little snack tonight! Woot!

I would get a dry salad and take my own dressing. I would ask for a dozen jumbo boiled shrimp w/some cocktail sauce. Tartar sauce is a thing I do without. I don't trust restaurants unless it is prepared right in front of me--Subway or a Benihana type thing.

oh, just saw your update! YAY! GO YOU!

big time congrats!! you go, girl!!