We're having a birthday celebration tomorrow, and everyone but me wants to go out. I want to eat in to control the menu. But, I need to learn to eat out as well.

My dieting buddy told me that a lot of restaurants have web sites, and they often have their menu posted. So, I found the site, looked at the menu, and noticed they even had nutritional info available. After gasping at just entrees that would run between 1000-1200 calories (how can you fix tilapia so that it has 1200 calories????), I realized that meal with an entree, side, bread, and dessert would run in the 2500-3000 calorie range.

So, figured out that their Asian Chicken Salad was a little over 300 calories, their cup of french onion soup was another 150 and that was what I would eat. I'm not even going to open the menu when I get there tomorrow.

I am so glad that my friend suggested this. What tips do others have for eating out and staying on plan?

Definitely exactly what you did - do the research ahead of time and figure out what you are going to have. And don't be afraid to ask them to modify things when you need.

I am doing a low carb plan, so I skip any starchy sides - I have a piece of grilled fish or meat and grilled veggies. I don't even want the starch side on my plate, why should I have to worry about using willpower to not eat it, I'd rather be able to focus on enjoying what I can have!

I'm going out for dinner tonight, and I'll eat something at home prior to going out. I'll be looking for something small and low carb at dinner.

Rob

Checking the menu, as you did, and eating something before going out, as Rob suggests are terrific tips.

I eat out with a girl friend who lost 50 lbs on WW. She always takes half of her meal home for the next day's dinner. I have even heard of folks who get the doggie bag/box before the meal and immediately put half the meal away so they won't be tempted.

In my case, I have to choose a small meal, like you did, Betsy. I either can't resist eating the whole thing, or if I take it home, I eat it the minute I walk in the door. LOL. I am pretty old, but not very mature when it comes to eating.

I was very surprised to find that Costco's hot dog had almost as many calories as one slice of their pizza. The pizza is way better.

I have found that most restaurants will serve you a grilled chicken breast and steamed veggies at a reasonable price, even if it is not on their menu.

I love to eat out, so this is hard for me to give it up completely. On Saturday night we go out to eat and I give myself a pass as my one meal a week to go over board a little. I've found mentally it's worth it for me to know I have Saturday night.

I went to a nice steakhouse last week. When I got my filet there was a beautiful side of garlic mashed potatoes on my plate. I took a heavenly whiff of them and then politely asked the waitress to "get them the h*** off my plate!" There was no way I could look at them while eating my steak. LOL. The waitress laughed when I told her that i was TRYING to avoid carbs.

How did it turn out? Did you stick to the plan? I need to start doing this as well because we eat out every Sunday.