It's a waste for me to go out and eat..

My family was in Tulsa today going to Academy and picking up a few camping gear and it got late, dinner was laid out but not prepared, and DH had to leave the second we got home.  So I suggested we stop and eat because we were in a hurry... 

So we stop a eatery in Tulsa on Admiral, a BBQ place..  It's so hard to choose something,  for one they tell us to order from the children's menu, but that is by far a non healthy meal.   I don't want to settle for beans, instant potatoes, one side item.  Which is what I think I will do for now on.. Because I spent $9.00 on a meal, only to eat a few bites of.  I want a variety of food, but only a half of bite of each..  Not a whole entire plate just to bring home.. DH is like, you have food for a few meals now.. Well, don't you think I will get tired of eating the same thing day after day until it's all gone???  We didn't share because he got the BBQ Buffet.. I can't ask him to change his eating habits for something I chose to do..  Well, my kids are not up to eating a salmon patti or something only for mommy.. So I really feel like I am wasting my $$$ by going out to eat..   What did everyone else do or does in this situation.. 

Like I said, I just don't want one side item, a little protein would be nice..

Thanks,
Sheila
 

Sheila,
I can't even imagine what it would be like to do this with a family! I admire all who do it so much.
When the grandkids are here and I cook for them, it is usually grilled cheese, mac and cheese or easy stuff, which would be horrible for me! I cant even imagine having a crew to feed and then figure out something for yourself. I feel quite blessed that I live alone right now....You are a very strong woman my friend.
I am so sorry.

Sher

There are a few places out there where you can get healthy things on the children's menu. If not, at first I would order a regular meal and eat for the next day or 2. Now, we share and my husband and kids don't mind a bit. Last weekend my husband was out at dinner time and my son and his wife went out to eat so it was just me, my 2 girls, and my grandson. Not wanting to cook just for the little the 4 of us would eat I decided to take them to IHOP. I ordered the ultimate bacon omelet and an extra stack of pancakes. I gave one pancake from each girl to my grandson and split the omelet between all 4 of us. The only one who cleaned his plate was my 2 1/2 year old grandson! My girls are not picky and love to share with me. Eating out is a lot more affordable that way!

I find it hard to eat out also.  Most places I can get a children's meal, but sometimes I want something different than what is there.  If I'm out with my sister and niece, it would make sense for Jen and I to share something, but she won't eat anything like I do, and I want the onions and all on mine, she doesn't.  I usually end up bringing home a box full of food.

Hugs,
Marsha

I agree its very hard, not only for the money you have to spend but for having to wait and watch everyone eat all of the good stuff. I have five children although two of them are teenagers and are to cool to go places with mom and dad for the day.
 
We have been on the go all weekend so the last two evenings we went out to eat. The first time we went to On The Border (Mexican food my favorite) I had re-fried beans and had to set there and watch everyone eat fajitas, enchiladas and burritos. (very hard to do). This evening was not as bad we went to Luby's. I'm almost 3 weeks post op so I'm still on mushies. I had mashed potatoes (which I'm on the no Carb diet so  I should not have) and then had to set and watch everyone eat the good stuff.

I'm like you I would like to have more than just one item to eat and it would get old eating the same thing for the rest of the week.

Jim, one of my favorite places to go out is On The Border.  I usually order "ala cart" and get a chicken enchilada and just eat the middle part.  Usually my DH or my sister is with me and they give me a spoon ful of their refried beans and I'm good to go.  I do share most of my meals with my DH.  He orders what he wants and I take a small portion for mine. 

First of all, you have to get over the idea of cleaning your plate.  Eating out, to me, is about sharing time with friends and family.  If I want a variety, I order what I want, and take home anything I might eat or feed to the dogs.  Does that sound wasteful?  Well, in your example, your DH spent the same 9.00-did he take anything home?  No.  Eating out is a "sunk cost" you don't have to recover your investment or eat it for the rest of the week.

If we are at a place where nothing really strikes me as something I want, I just order sides or something, but if there is something on the menu I'd like to have, I have it.  If someone will share, cool, if not, I get what I want.

I went to Golden Corral with my parents, they enjoy buffets.  I had a small piece of fish, some steamed veggies and that coconut macaroon....did I get MY monies worth?  Sure, my belly was just as full as theirs, even if it took less food.

It would be nice if they would put out WLS size portions at restaurants, but I think that's a long time coming. 

When I go out, the first thing I look at is the appetizer menu. Usually there is something healthy and yummy on there that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. If I can't find anything on there, I simply ask my waitress if they do half portions, even if they aren't listed on the menu...most places are really accommodating when they hear that I had surgery, and I haven't had a negative experience with it yet.

My DH loves to go out to eat so we do this often.  And we never share cuz that's just not his bag.  But I always enjoy it.  But then I like leftovers.  It works very well for me to take the leftovers to work for lunch the next day.  I don't mind eating the same thing for 2 or 3 meals.  (I'm lucky!)  

I have never asked for a kid's plate.  I think it would really tick me off if they said no.  And you're right in that lots of kids menu items are full of carbs.

Sometimes a restaurant, particularly BBQ, will sell a side of meat.  Like 1 rib or 1 chicken breast.  Maybe you could just ask the restaurant to accomodate your needs?  I mean, the customer is always right!  Right?

When we go out, I usually just order something off the regular menu and me and my son (he's 8) share. He is way more interested in the sides and I'm more interested in the meat, so it works out pretty well. If he's not with us I usually ask if I can order an Ala carte item, even though it's not on the menu. Most places are ok with it.