This morning I met some friends for brunch at Cracker Barrel. I wasn't super-thrilled by the location, since most nutritional information isn't available for CB, but I decided that I was going to be social more than I was going for the food, and that it would be a good test for me.

I looked up the menu beforehand and made a plan. When the server came, I was ready with my order - the "Two Eggs n' Biscuits" platter, substitute Egg Beaters, substitute dry wheat toast, side of bacon, with low-sugar jam.

After ordering, I cracked up, realizing that I am now just as high maintenance as Meg Ryan's character in "When Harry Met Sally." And, for the pretty much the first time in my life, I don't care if I'm being high maintenance, or if my dining companions look at me strangely (for the record, these friends all know I'm counting calories and didn't even bat an eye with my order).

My ordering might cause a little more trouble for the waiter or the kitchen, but doggone it, I'm going to order the healthiest, best food for ME. In the end, I am in control of what I put in my body, which means it's my responsibility to do the best I can in any given situation.

So, I'm going to be the pain-in-the-neck woman at restaurants from now on. And I'm OK with that!

hey, remember you are paying them to cook for you! They need business!
Its not like this is some cheap place, and tho its not exactly high end either, they SHOULD be willing to make some substitutions. WHen the low carb thing was more of a craze, a lot of place made a big deal to substitute salad for fries. Most places now, its a choice of side. Times have changed, and if they want our business, so will eateries.

I order like this all the time so I say good for you!
Nothing worse than not getting what you want AND I think lots of people order this way anyway :-)

Sauce, dressings always on the side.

good for you!!

another good for you! if more people order healthy items maybe they'll put them on the menu...most places have a diet/health menu these days anyway.

Interestingly, Cracker Barrel has a separate low carb menu, but as a calorie counter I had to make substitutions for everything via their "Tasty Alternatives," which was really just a list of what you could sub. There wasn't much on the list. That's not really surprising, since most people don't go there to eat healthy.

This isn't the first time I've been picky at a restaurant, but it was definitely a moment for me as I realized this is how it will always be, and I'm ok with that.