[eme20]

So being a college student a trip to the fast food restaurant is at least a weekly thing. Does anyone have any good ideas about what to do when eating out. I want to get healthy but I don't want to give up all the nights out with friends... I don't typically eat horribly as it is... and I am expecting an increase in exercise to give me a lot of weight loss, but what to do about food???

[mandalinn82]

Well, if you're going to a chain, chances are they have nutrition information available. So look on the company website or another site that provides nutrition info for fast food. For example, Dotties Weight Loss Zone has a fairly comprehensive restaurant nutrition database:

http://www.dwlz.com/restaurants.html

What I wouldn't do is go into a situation like this with no plan. Otherwise, temptation will lead you into making poorer choices than you might have otherwise.

If you go out and you're not sure where you'll be headed, you might want to keep a list of a few healthy items at the places you're likely to end up with you. That way, wherever you land, you can still know what you're getting and find the healthier options.

[bethbeth]

When eating out I mostly focus on portion control...like only eating HALF of what I'm served. Or just ordering an appetizer, soup, etc.

[Viatre]

Try to avoid having deserts or sodas or fries, just get an entree type food and stick with that. Definitely check out the nutrition information! Determine how many calories you're willing to spend. Like, I know off the top of my head that a Sonic corn dog is 200 calories and a small vanilla shake is 180. So next time I'm there I have two lower calorie options already planned without having to sit there and wonder what is actually healthy (since so many "healthy" things are high calorie, like Chili's 1000 calorie salads!).

Good luck! Also, maybe just try eating a thing of fruit or veggies first so its easier not to eat more than you want too.