When eating as lean and clean as possible, how do you manage eating out?

[ThewrathofBethDutton]

I’m on it. I have to be and I’m doing bloody brilliant! So focussed, super determined and feel so much better already.

Going for a pub lunch with a big group of close friends in a couple of weeks.

I don’t eat meat.

The menu is just awful. Burgers, steak sandwiches etc
It looks like I can probably have the soup on the starter menu, not have the bread that comes with it. (Hoping it’s not a cream soup).
On the main menu there’s a plate of roasted vegetables…cost of £17. I will absolutely not pay that for a plate of vegetables.

How do you navigate this when trying to eat healthy and cleanly?

Not eating meat makes it harder. Veggie/vegan options are usually more processed.
my go to for example would be grilled chicken or steak with jacket potato & whatever veg/salad they serve.

It does make it harder, there isn’t generally very much to tempt me.

I bloody hate the meat substitutes and the vegetable burgers are without exception, dog shit.

It grinds my gears to pay £17 for a bit of sweet potato, courgette and a grilled fucking tomato.

It’s been over a year since I’ve seen this wonderful group of women, if it were anyone else, I’d bow out because I am doing so well, but I really want to see them all!

Aounds like you're like me OP.. one "bad" meal will lead to more bad choices. So much of it is psychological. I agree with eating before you go and just getting the soup to be sociable

Just pick whatever looks most balance / lower calorie or have a starter. 1 meal is not gonna make any difference though.

The thing is would you pay £17 for a high calorie, unhealthier meal, if so why begrudge paying £17 for something bit healthier?

What would you normally eat for lunch?

I either just have a drink while the others eat, I can still socialise and be part of the event without eating, or I try to strategically swap elements with my daughters meal. Kid meals tend to have simple side options like Broccoli and sweetcorn, so I'll order chicken breast and chips and have her sides, she has my chips.

Firstly, could you change the venue? That place sounds like the options for veggies are very poor.
Otherwise, for one celebratory meal I would just have what I wanted. If I were really strict I would go for lower calorie options and go very easy on booze and pudding. £17 for roast vegetables is still ridiculous however.

No chance of changing the venue? As you’re veggie you can say there’s not many veggie options, rather than saying it’s all too unhealthy.

Adults only. No kids at all there.

No. It’s half way between us all travelling.

I’m the only vegetarian so can’t ask 12 other people to change the venue (which is pre booked) just for me.

At home, something with eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes or a homemade soup without cream/croutons/bread.

You know what’s in homemade stuff don’t you.

I figure out what’s most important to me, and prepare to compromise on one of the slightly less important things.

Paying that much for a plate of veg is eye watering but that would probably be the point I’d compromise on, in order to eat healthily and not make my food choice a big thing.

I am a clean eating vegetarian. I often go for soup and a salad. Often there is a ceasar salad or a fish salad that can be made vegetarian.

For me it also is a psychological thing, I don’t want to “cheat” for one meal, especially not when it isn’t my own choice but something that i was “forced” to do.

Do they not offer an omelette?

Would you pay £12 or £14 for the vegetable dish, if so don’t overthink the extra few pounds.
There’s a suitable dish on offer, if you order it you won’t draw attention to yourself or make a thing of your clean eating.
For me there’s nothing worse than going out to eat with a friend who won’t eat anything. I’ve stopped going out for dinner with my vegan friend who only ordered a side of long stem broccoli when we went out one Friday night. Now we meet for coffees, shopping or walks.

Nearlyl always go for the soup or garlic prawns. You dont have to eat the bread

I cant do basic pub grub as I dont eat bread, pasta, potatoes or pastry, or things with batter on them/breadcrumbs. I can have the odd little bit but then cant eat anything else so its a waste of time

Garlic prawns in oil, or things like roasted cauliflower, but not for 17 quid for a main course, rip off

Or soup, nothing wrong with cream by the way

Not that I eat 'lean and clean' not sure what that means so you might not be able to eat cream I suppose.

What pubs do you know that serve omelettes?!!

You can barely get them in cafes and tea rooms these days

OP I missed that you were veggie, that does make it harder, what about jacket potato and beans if you eat potatoes, they're a complete rip off though

As are any of the salads.

Eating out in the UK is woeful it really is, unless you go to some high class restaurant.

Exactly. Would you pay £17 for a pasta dish or a pizza? Why? They are so cheap to make. Way less than a plate full of roasted veges

I'm pre-diabetic so have had to make adjustments to my diet. When I eat out, I accept some of my choices won't be perfect, so try to make better choices than I would have done previously. Don't be afraid to ask if you can have salad instead of chips, or if something can come without sauce.