Tip of the day...

Thank you for the tip.
I'm only 13 days post op and on pureed, so it hasn't come up yet. I actually thought Golden Corral might be a challenge, but doable. But you all make a good point about the cost/benefit ratio.
Before surgery, when we went out to dinner, I checked the menu to make a mental note of a choice or two that I might have post surgery. If I couldn't find it, the restaurant was crossed off the list.
Looks like GC will be added to my list

I go to places I know I can get some kind of grilled meat and veggies. I like Olive Garden (mixed grill with extra veggies instead of the potatoes). Sometimes I'll go to Ruby Tuesday or Outback and get steak and veggie. Chilies has a nice salmon dish.

I like that you stated you thought you make a good choice and eat a salad and then say sliders... oxymoron!! LOL

I go with my mom on occasion to buffets and though I try to regin it in .. desserts kill me.. what I normally eat is Turkey since its roasted .. they usually have baked potato or sweet potato and I eat 1/2 or 1/2 of 1/2 and salad dressing on the side.. I usually choose fat free ranch then pour red wine vinegar in it to thin it out and I like the taste.

The starch in the potato fills me up pretty quick so I can't eat more.. it works for me..

Good Luck Chica..

The key for me at restaurants is not to open the menu!  I generally know what I'm going to order before i get there becuase once I start "shopping" the menu, I'm gonna get into big trouble. 

I have some restaurant standards that I go to:
Hamburger w/o the bun, no fries
Fish, grilled w/ veggies
Chicken burrito, (eat the insides, not the tortilla)
Fajita's no tortillas
Chili
Chicken tenders, (pick off excess breading)
Chinese steamed veggies w/ chicken or shrimp or lightly sauteed
Meat balls w/ tomato sauce, (no pasta)
1/2 rack ribs, no potato or rice

I like places like Applebees where they have healthy choices but I can usually make due anywhere. 

The dessert thing is an issue.  My best defense is sharing.  1 dessert for a table of 4 is the only way I can control myself.

If you can eat 3 plates of food and dessert, I think it might be time for a small fill.  I can't eat salad even on a good day which is actually a good thing because I can NEVER control how much dressing I use.  If it's there, I want to taste it and see it!

Hang in there!  
Lisa O. 

 Thanks girls!  I wonder about the fill part.  But hate being too tight and my surgeon HATES me.  So I'll just deal for now.  

Pam posted this to me on FB, I love her so!  CHECK THIS OUT!!!

http://www.wlsfoodpicks.com/

Melissa I LOVE Golden Corral! That's what I ate tonight actually, lol.

It works for me. I do the by the pound and try to do mostly protein. They actually have some very good choices. But like you...........I'd rather have the cake also, lol.