So Im meeting a friend for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory tomorrow night. It's someone I havent seen in years so she hasnt seen how much weight Ive gained back (ugh, but a story for another time)

My issue is that EVERYTHING on their menu is AWFUL. But Im going to be so tempted to order something!

http://calorielab.com/news/2007/07/2...its-rochester/

I know I could go with one of the weight management options, but any other ideas? Im thinking the Mahi Mahi with a side of rice and veggies? That way I feel like Im eating something more satisfying than the weight management salad.

p.s. the nutrional info for their items will make you cringe (no surprise there though) the real shocker is that most of the items arent even factoring in the sides (fries/potatoes/veggies, etc)

Oh man... I know what you mean!

The grilled Mahi doesn't seem too bad calorie-wise as long as you avoid buttered vegetables/fries/potatoes and the like. Even some of their lunch salads add up to just as much as the Mahi says it is (if not more).

I say what you're planning on sounds good. And for goodness' sake stay away from the actual cheesecake if you aren't planning on having any!

LOL I know, isnt it awful?! I wish we were going for lunch, because the numbers are somewhat better for those options! Of course, Im not going to lick my plate clean, so I'll save some calories not finishing the whole portion!

I've never been but I think I understand! Lol, persnaps eat a light EXTREMELY healthy snack before? May save yu a few extra calories. I did that once, my mom was wanting to go out to eat and whining because I don't allow sweets or cokes in the house anymore. So, I ate about 1hr before we went and had some broccoli and cauliflower and 2 slices of a tomato. I didn't eat nearly as much and even felt good about being so safe!!

You have a plan already though, and that is the best thing we can do in that type of sitation. Good for you!

Thanks girl! Yeah, im going to keep my calories low and healthy for the day and def eat something before I go. And whatever I order, I make sure I dont finish the whole thing. Either way, Im going to plan for an 800 calorie meal.

I totally get you about the mom thing, my family/friends go out to eat SO much.

I would like to give a big thanks to The Cheesecake Factory for contributing to my weight gain months ago. LOL Everything is so tasty! I'm not sure if you're a big fan of Salmon, but that's a good way to go as well. You can pretty much make your meal how you want. I use to swear by the Miso Salmon until I read the nutritional info a few months ago O__O... BUT

the grilled salmon is great, and you have the option to switch to brown rice. I ALWAYS cut my meals in half as soon as it gets to my table. Honestly, it works! I find that the portions at CF are pretty large, specifically during dinner.

I love that weight management salad with the spice and rice and beans, but all of the weight management salads are good - I eat half for about 250 calories. They're HUGE!

I once got the ahi tartare with avocado (small plate on the bar menu) and it was very good, and couldn't have been more than 250 calories.

There is a weight management grilled chicken that my mom always gets (and eats half of as well) and all of the grilled fish options look to be moderately healthy.

UGH why do they have to call the only somewhat healthy options "weight management'?! Like i really want to sit there at over 100lbs overweight and tell the waiter I'd like the 'weight management' salad.

Get the seared tuna tataki salad. (I don't think I saw it on the link you provided.) I had it the last time I went and if i recall correctly, I googled it and found it to be very reasonable - perhaps 400 calories.

Hey fatburner--yes, I had that on my short list of options too (I even googled pictures of it loll) was it good?

I'm sorry but that just made me spit out my water haha! If you have the guts, you should totally over dramatize that. Yes, waiter I would really love the WEIGHT management salad. Now does that come with the 0 calorie water? And what exactly is the number of pounds this weight management salad manages? I mean, I've lost some weight and I am looking to lose more. Waiter, do you have a uhm hmm a weight LOSS salad by any chance? And what's water with the least amount of calories here? Hm? Haha omg I'm a nerd lol.

Editing because I just re-read that and realized you may had taken it the wrong way- or anyone could. It just sort of played out in my head after thinking of me asking for a weight management salad. I have a weird sense of humor and I was not being mean, and I'd hate asking for that salad too. Which is why I'd HAVE to joke about it.

HAHA no i think you and i have the same sense of humor! How lame, seriously. dude, just have a couple healthy items on there called like 'lemon grilled chicken & veggies' waiter, since we've now gone over my weight management salad, lets dicuss the weight management cheesecakes..ive noticed there werent any...

Hahahaha. That's hilarious oh my day has just gotten so much better lol.

The nice thing about Cheesecake factory is that there is SO MUCH food on the plate I know I will never eat the whole thing. I usually can barely eat 1/4 of what's on the plate (I'm not really into appetizers). It sounds like you've picked a really good option! I don't know if I could go and stay away from the cheesecake...the key lime is sooo good.

If it were me, I'd probably save 75% of my cals for some indulgence! Good luck! My mouth is watering now, haha!

Rofl Butter!! That's awesome, I might try that if I go soon, it's too funny to resist!