Dining out / restaurant strategies

stevie95678
on 3/30/15 9:36 am

My family and relatives LOVE to dine out at restaurants and just about every family activity revolves around food.  I was wondering, once I'm at the solid food stage (Surgery date of 4/8) where I can join the family, is there a"card" or something that shows I've had RNY and can order a child's portion?  What are your experiences/strategies with dining out?  I don't want to bring a lot of attention to myself, but I'd like a game plan.  Thanks.

    

Citizen Kim
on 3/30/15 9:55 am - Castle Rock, CO

Unless you dine at pretty top end restaurants, the children's menu will be full of stuff you really don't want to be eating.   What I do is order what I want and ask for a box to take the leftovers.

Personally, I think the card is a cheek and if you do a search you will find many a lively discussion.   It's a sure fire way to pronounce yourself all sorts of special and will definitely make sure you make yourself known!!!!

I can pretty much dine in ANY restaurant (other than fast food) and find something good for me to eat - yesterday I had kale salad with salmon and it was all sorts of delicious - it was NOT on the children's menu!

Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist

GeekMonster, Insolent Hag
on 3/30/15 10:13 am - CA
VSG on 12/19/13

I have to agree with Kim.  My surgeon's office gave me a card to use, but I never did.  Oftentimes I'll order an appetizer which is plenty enough to satisfy me, or I'll order something like a steak, eat half and take the rest home to eat the following day.

Restaurants aren't required to accept a "Get A Child's Portion" card.  The only place that I don't feel that I get what I pay for now are buffets, but I don't tend to eat at them any longer.  The food is usually dreck.  I'd rather eat quality than quantity now. 

"Oderint Dum Metuant"    Discover the joys of the Five Day Meat Test!

Height:  5'-7"  HW: 449  SW: 392  GW: 179  CW: 220

cspotrun
on 3/30/15 10:25 am
RNY on 07/01/14

I agree with the previous posters.  I'm such a nerd, I carry around folded up aluminum foil in a little bag now in my purse to wrap up leftovers. Too many restaurants use styrofoam, so I just prefer the foil, which I can recycle.

Karen   

    

CGCL
on 3/30/15 10:44 am, edited 3/30/15 10:58 am
RNY on 02/19/15

We went to a restaurant yesterday--not planned as we were out and about. I ate before we went out on errands and was very full, so enjoyed their delicious iced tea (my first non-decaf for months!) while hubby happily scarfed a cheeseburger. Just because you go to the restaurant you don't necessarily have to eat. We did leave a good tip as if I had eaten.

ETA: I did look at the menu and enjoyed the challenge of finding something I would order if I was hungry :)

Height: 6'0" HW 5/2013 295. Consult 7/29/14 275. SW 261. RNY 2/19/15. M1:-33! M2:-13.5. M3:-12. M4:-10.8. M5:-9.7. M6:-5. M7: -4.5. Pregnant 8/15-5/16. 10 weeks post partum: 173.

jackietex
on 3/30/15 10:57 am
It's pretty easy to eat in restaurants, just follow the protein-first rule. Try to stay away from sauces and fatty sides. The hardest part for me is having to watch people eat for a long time after I'm finished.

Lap RNY February 15, 2012
Starting weight 195 (ht. 4'10)
Surgery weight 178.5
Current weight 113

karin602
on 3/30/15 11:26 am - MD
RNY on 07/30/13

Whenever possible I check out the menu beforehand. Many restaurants will post nutritional content as well which makes choices easier. I have ordered from children's menu when there was a good choice. Didn't need a special card. I also ask for water because I found servers think it's strange if you don't get a beverage. I will also customize my order asking for extra vegetables in place of rice or potatoes. I ask for a box when I order and place extra food in it as soon as I get my order. Much less tempting if it's already boxed so I don't pick at it after getting satisfied. Then I sit back and enjoy the company.

Karin

        
stevie95678
on 3/30/15 1:03 pm

Thank you everyone for the great ideas. I wasn't too sure of the card and feel relieved that I can still make healthy choices while dining out. I LOVE this site - everyone is so supportive and there is a wealth of information here. See you on the losers bench!

    

unrulyjulie
on 3/30/15 3:54 pm
RNY on 09/29/14

I carry little 4 ounce plastic cups (like the Dixie kind) with me so I can measure if I have to. Half my family things I'm crazy, the other half know the truth. :-) 

        

 

    
sor09
on 3/30/15 5:27 pm

I did this too, but even 1 oz  & 2 oz cups, since it help to slow me eating and not getting caught up in the excitement of the event and over doing things.

 

                
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