Eating Out?

Hi OH Friends,
The summer and the beginning of the school year always calls for friends to get together for happy hours, lunches, and dinners.  I have great friends and they go to the movies and do other non-food related things with me instead, but there will still be times when food is involved.  I am almost 4 weeks out (on Tuesday).  Where do you go to dinner and what do you recommend I order at this point on my journey? 

Thanks in advance!

There's really no place that you couldn't go....except a buffet (waste of money) unless you can eat off someone's plate.

At 4 weeks you're probably still on mushies or just starting soft foods?  Soup is always an option if there's nothing else. Or you could get a side order of mashed potatoes, creamed spinach or some other veggie. When you get to regular food, there lots of options....often from appetizer menu...shrimp ****tail, mussels, etc.  From the regular menu, you can order whatever fits in your plan knowing that you'll take most of it home.

If possible, I suggest looking at a menu online or beforehand so that you can do a little pre planning. It helps until you get a little more experienced with your new habits.

I went out for dinner last night and I was nervous about it!  I'm 3 weeks out and although I'm not on 'mushies' per se I have to chose foods that are soft and/or that I can chew down to a paste so it's sort of like mushie foods .. I ordered fish that came with mashed potato and some edamame beans .. I probably ate less than a 3rd of the plate and took the rest home, but I was able to really chew up the fish and edamame and the mashed potatoes went down quite nice!  

I was going to order the soup but it was some kind of a thai soup and didn't know if it would be too spicy for me, but soup would have been a good stand by.

Good luck!

 I've been out for Mexican - refried beans and guacamole (I brought my own protein chips to "dip")
Bob Evans - baked potato cheddar soup minus the bacon
Ma and Pa type restaurant - awesome french onion soup (hubby ate the cheese and bread)
Big Boy tonight - cabbage soup and mashed potatoes (I was stuffed, I really didn't need the potatoes and was a little uncomfortable)

I always get a cup of soup then if I want something else I order it.  The side dishes are easy to pick from.   I'm only 4 weeks out myself and my doc has a strict program so I'm still on mushies.   I'm not big on mushy veggies so I prefer the soup.

I can't have meat yet and I don't want the pasta or it's remnant starch so I avoid chicken or beef noodle soup.

Good luck!

Thank you all for the ideas!  I have had so much soup that I don't think I can get anymore in.  And, to make it worse, I live in Texas so soup makes the 105 temp outside even hotter!  I have done the refried beans, mashed potato, baked potato, and mac and cheese.   Just didn't know if anyone suggested other options and thank goodness ya'll did.  Thanks again! 

You and I had our surgeries on the same date...and I'm here in this sweltering heat too.  So far everything I've tried has stayed down and caused me no problems.  I haven't been able to tolerate the protein shakes too well so I've really been downing the meat.  Tuna, crab, and chicken are the best for me.  I can order a taco and some refried beans; just have to take the meat out of the taco (I mix it with my beans).  I've ordered from a few resturants and have just ordered an appetizer and maybe I'll eat 3 oz. of it.  I've eaten squash and spinach so far and those haven't caused any problems either.

Good Luck!!!

Samantha

Any place that has grilled fish or chicken as an option. You may have to throw away the bread or tortilla.  But most places have either of those meats or both on the menu. You know what is in your area, check their menus online or pick up carry out menus.