What do you do when you eat out?

[WtfHormones]

I'm gradually loosing weight and trying to do it healthily so it's actually maintainable. I'll be eating out twice this week and don't know what the best approach to this is. Obvs I can select something that's not that carb heavy to lower the calories intake but even then it will still be well over my calorie limit and that's even without the wine. I won't have dessert.

I plan to walk there and back and could possibly do an extra 15 mins on cross trainer on those days. I guess I could lower calorie intake across the week or skip a meal on the day but that just seems a bit too restrictive and annoying to do.

What would you do? What do you think the healthiest way of managing eating (and drinking) out is.

If I’m going out for dinner I usually eat really lightly during the day, and then eat whatever I want at dinner (within reason, I won’t have cheese on everything and 2 steaks)

I think a big part of making this manageable for life rather than yo-yoing is to be able to have a nice meal and then get back to it the next day. 2 dinners aren’t going to set you back months. Enjoy it!

Check the menu online before you go and pick something that seems to be lower in calories but that you'd still enjoy. Stick to your choice when you get there. I always found this easier than trying to decide when I was at the restaurant hungry and surrounded by food smells.

Eat normally on the day, plenty of protein to limit your appetite, make a sensible choice. DOn't restrict on other days etc, just accept your weekly average calories aren't probably going to be low enough for loss this week

I always check the menu first so I pretty much know what I am going to have already.

Tend to pick vegetarian/vegan options or just avoid anything in cream/cheese.

If served with carbs I just eat the protein and veg and leave the carbs. Have been known to deconstruct a burger so I just have the burger and not the bun.

Finally I learned to be comfortable leaving food on the plate. Some restaurants seem to take this as an insult but I am clear I enjoyed it but can't won't eat that much, sometimes the portion sizes are massive.

Just try to make healthier choices when you are there. Eg instead of a big bowl of pasta have some fish and vegetables. But have a pudding as a rare treat if you fancy it. Everything in moderation, including moderation!

Depends what diet you are doing. I would have Grilled fish or steak with salad / veg.

Nothing. Eat what you want, 2 meals out in a week isn't going to ruin all your progress.

I eat less for a few days before by 100 calories or so meaning it's not noticeable but I'm not denying myself. As far as I'm concerned, eating out is something to enjoy.

DP swaps the carbs for salad or mixed veg.

I’ve been dieting for around 18 months and have lost around four stone. The last stone refuses to shift despite introducing regular swims. I have found that the occasional meal out etc makes no difference to the weight loss. Try and avoid anything fried, limit alcohol, ask for potatoes etc without butter, but do enjoy your meal!