First Dinner Out!

Good for you!

I don't actually eat out a lot because we don't have many restaurants near us.  But here are some of the things I do:

--At almost any restaurant, I look for salmon.  I love it.  It goes down easily and feels like a treat, so I don't feel like I am having to compromise on the "celebration" or "special" part of eating out.  I avoid the carbs.  Sometimes I order without.  Sometimes I will have a bite or two of the rice or the potato.  I fill up on the salmon.

--If my family chooses some place like Zuppas, where dense protein is hard to come by, I choose more food than I can eat so I can get what I want.  For example:  a salad with chicken on it.  Plus a high-fat soup like mushroom bisque.  Then I feel satiated, and I can eat along with the family.  I throw away the lettuce.  when I order, I always ask for minimal lettuce.  They think I am weird, saying stuff like "I guess it's your salad!"  But I never see these people again, so who cares.

--If I find a place with a steak salad, I go for it.  We don't eat a lot of red meat at home (expense), so I guy red meat out.  Like salmon, steak is a treat.  It just does not go down so easily for me--so at 6 weeks out, maybe steak would be challenging.

--For fast food or chains, I like the chili at Wendy's (get the added cheese).  I like the grilled chicken nuggets at Chick Fil A.  (I know you said you don't go there, but other chains have grilled real-chicken parts--just avoid the McDonalds chicken paste goo.

--I do not worry about throwing food away.  I used to try to eat off my husband's plate--we would order one plate to share.  Now I don't do that.  I choose what I want on the menu and enjoy it and take home the leftovers.  I got tired of feeling like I not only couldn't eat much, but that I had to compromise on what I really wanted to eat.  That took the joy out of things.  It also caused my husband (a physically fit foodie) to have to compromise on what he wanted to order, and that introduced a lot of stress not what was supposed to be a happy time out.  If what we want dovetails, then good.  Otherwise, I just order what I want.

--I often will choose a hearty, meat-based appetizer as my meal.  For example, crab cakes can be a good choice.

Oh boy, eating out even 5 years later makes me nervous! I try my hardest to plan ahead and go to same 5 or so restaurants so I know their menu. But when I am unable to go to same place or just want to try something new I take my time with the menu. Some days I fall back on old reliable foods I know (salads or chopped steak) other times I order, ask the waitstaff lots of questions about ingredients and TRY not to be shy about asking for specialty's (such as leaving out certain things).

Insert Fitness got me thinking about something else I discussed with my NUT last week (sad I saw her on her last day, she was great).  Sashimi!!! There is a take out sushi/sashimi place in Buffalo Grove - Masa's Sushi.  They have great sashimi, but they make a fantastic dish called the spicy fish bowl.  It is basically a small shredded salad with about 3 ounces of assorted small pieces of sashimi.  Perfect size for us WLS folks, though I'm sure I won't eat half the lettuce.  They make it with rice added, but I have them put it on the side (for my wife).  Always fresh.  It's only spicy via the dressing, which I'm going to simulate without the sugar.  But I've had it with a homemade mustard apple cider vinaigrette before and it is still extremely good.

They also make a cucumber wrapped maki roll (no rice).  I think it is called the Oissi roll (can make it with tuna or eel).  I just got clearance for cucumbers and lettuce, so I'm thinking I'll pull that trigger on Saturday.

Oh I forgot, My wife usually gets their Salmon teriyaki.  I had it a couple times and it is great and would be a fantastic option (without the sauce).  But the salmon has always been very fresh and not a bad price.  Actually better tasting than the last two salmon dinners post surgery (ate at company events for the holiday).

My favorite is Korean BBQ. There isn't a lot of sugar in their sauces, and you can choose the spice level you can handle. Plus the side dishes are often fermented and/or pickled with low salt, so you can get some healthy probiotics in as well. I'm a huge kimchi fan.

Steak. Nothing else. The first few times the waiter or waitress will ask about all the sides and sauces, and am I sure I don't want any. After that, they'll just bring the plate with the meat on it.

I also meant to add, that at In-n-Out Burger, you can order a burger "Protein style," which is where they wrap the hamburger in large lettuce leaves.  No bun.  I think this is a great option when out and on the run.

cool!  In-n-out is starting to open in the Chicago area.

Panera Bread's turkey chili (available only in cold months) is the bomb.  Beats the heck out of Wendy's chili...

As others have said, Mexican places are easy - I either order fajitas and just eat the meat & veggies (about a cup of it at 18 months out), or I'll get grilled fish tacos without the tortillas (or if they have to bring it with the tortillas, then I just eat the innards).

Chinese places - something with non-fried meat and veggies - only eat about a cup of it and skip the rice.  

Thai places - that chicken satay appetizer (i.e., grilled chicken on skewers served with peanut sauce.  The sauce has sugar, but I don't eat much of it).

a lot of places have shrimp ****tail or chili - always good choices.  Or grilled fish or chicken.

some fast food places are tough, though.  Which is why I usually have a protein bar or two with me when I'm on the road.  I don't eat them often, but they're handy in case of "emergencies".

Panera Turkey Chili is a winner!

I usually order just an appetizer to come with the meal that everyone else gets.  Like buffalo chicken tenders, skewered shrimp or meatballs, Chinese I would get the teriyaki beef or chicken, or beef and broccoli