Dining Out

I am currently researching ways to lobby against morbid obesity through restaurant associations.  I contacted one website so far and I'm trying to get information about starting a campaign for gastric bypass post-ops and how restaurants can change their "age" menus to more "portion size" menus.  I think it's rather discrimanatory to have kids-size and senior menus and restricting patrons to order from these because our AGE is not menu appropriate.  The size of your stomach is not limited by age and restaurants should be more accommodating to what the patron wishes to consume.  Can any of you share some ordering nightmare and what restaurants you visited that were accommodating or not accommodating from ordering from either of these "age" inappropriate menus?  I'd love to hear from you.   So far I have found "Friendly's" to be rather unfriendly when it comes to ordering from their kids menu.  They will not allow you all the amenities that come with such an order if you are not age appropriate.  However, Chili's is rather accommodating and they have a perfect size rib basket that comes with a side item for only $5.99 and they've allowed me to order from that menu without a hassle.  Thanks for sharing your dining experiences.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/magazine/RestaurantCard.html There ya go...I knew there was a link through OH with restaurants who partake in smaller/discounted portions...

Thanks Cheri for the tip.  I have a problem with the WLS "card" though as I feel that no explanation should be necessary.  I should not have to carry around a SIGNED permission slip from my surgeon just to order a smaller sized meal.  My WLS is a classified and personal matter that should not have to be disclosed to every waiter/waitress I encounter.  I think it's as private as my medical history.  But I will definitely print the post so that I know where is it SAFE to order from a children's menu.  thanks!  This matter needs to be lobbied in the fight against obesity in general.  THanks for your support.

You're welcome!  I agree with you whole-heartedly! 

I am 4 1/2 years post-op and have never asked for special considerations at restaurants.  I either share with my son or husband, order an appetizer as a meal or take leftovers home.  Others with special medical conditions often ask for ingredients to be left off, no butter, nuts etc., but I chose to have gastric bypass surgery and reduce my stomach capacity, my situation is under control, and I just never felt it was a restaurant's responsibility to do this.  I may very well be in the minority here, but while never hiding my surgery, don't feel it is necessary to place my business out in public every time I go out to eat.  My husband had the surgery just this past August, and has learned to share with me now, or do as I have described here.  Oh,  and I just don't do major buffet restaurants.  So not worth it.  How do you make out with the kid's menu items anyway??  Most are fried food like chicken fingers or spaghetti/macaroni type things with fries??  Try doing the appetizer thing.  This usually works well in most places.

Big Ditto for me!  I had the surgery for myself and to get healthy.  I don't want people to change around me for me.  When we go out to eat, I will order from the regular menu and take home leftovers, or order an appetizer (depending on the restaurant).  I don't expect others to change around me, and honestly?  It's satisfying to see that I can eat what I need and leave the rest.  People always ask me if it was good.  yeah, it was great, just not that "hungry". lol.

Appetizers are usually fried things and loaded with grease.  Chili's, for example, has a kids rib basket that comes with a single choice of side item for ....$5.99.  Tell me what appetizer you can order for cheaper than this that is just as healthy?  I neither have a husband or kids so sharing is not an option.  I dine with adults and yes, I do expect a restaurant to cater to "portion" choices ...afterall, they have a choice of a kids menu and a seniors menu just for this reason, however, I do not feel that portion size should be related to AGE. 

Well, common sense would dictate that if the appetizers are greasy, that would not be an option, and then I might order a salad or a healthy dinner and bring the leftovers to work for lunch the next day.  People with other medical needs or allergies ask for special considerations because of their health...no nuts, no sauce or oil, etc..  They don't expect a discount.  I still don't see this as an obligation of a restaurant.

Interesting post. Call me cheap but sometimes kids meals cost as much,or more than appetizer(s) I usually order 1 or 2 appetizers, and bring the rest home. At least I can eat off the appetizer(s) a few times, for pretty much the same price. Sure I often get was something wrong with the food, I just reply no, I'm just not that hungry.....which is the truth. At some point we have to take control (and responsibilty) of our eating and just put the fork down. We have a tool that can help us do this.  Donna open rny mar 18 2003 282/145/140

I simply don't find appetizers to be "balanced" meals.  A kids menu OR a Seniors menu is available for the same purpose I am trying to accomplish with my ordering.  I am simply stating that the menu options should not be geared to AGE groups, but by portion size desired.  I don't wish to order more food than I can eat, its just that simply stated.  There are people out there who have not had surgery who feel the same way as I do, this is not about WLS, it is about portion control availability.