Eating out success!

This morning my husband had a Dr's appointment for his back. Unfortunately, there are some problems on the x-ray, but we won't know how bad things are until he has a MRI. We are waiting for that to be scheduled. Poor baby! I know he's in pain.

That's the back story to why I was daring to eat at a restaurant with all the problems I've had with food. The appt took forever, and I don't have many foods I can eat yet, much less foods I can eat that are easily portable! LOL So I picked Red Lobster but I was so nervous!. There were other fast food type restaurants but I didn't think those would work and I hate getting sick in public!!!! So anyway, I got a grilled shrimp skewer and asked them to hold the garlic butter sauce. It was sooo good and made my grumpy pouch happy!!! Only $4.99 and not only was I totally satisfied, but now I have the leftovers for dinner tonight as well!! I am still surprised at how little I can eat. I'm thinking that that was the point of the surgery!!! LOL

Anyway this got me to thinking...Where else would have been ok with RNY friendly foods? Where was the first place you all went out to, and what did you eat? I have my 1 month appt with my surgeon tomorrow and we may get stuck having to eat out again. Ideas would be appreciated. Many thanks!!!   -Julie

 You were smart!! You got something small and doable.   I've had a hard time eating out.  It's the mentality that i think I can eat more than I can....gets me every time.  And I end up miserable.  

My successes have been at Atlanta Bread Company.  I get the soup and can eat about 1/2.  Oh, went to Buffalo Wild Wings this past Sunday.  Again, soup and one wing.  I'm excited to start trying salads!  Places I've crashed and burned.....Mexican restaurants, Olive Garden almost got me.  My challenge is just being smart about it.  I'm getting better though.  :-)    What a process this is!!!

Great question!  I'm excited to see what others say.  

Thanks for the advise, Carrie! I'm so afraid of food still! Eating out was terrifying but now I know it's doable. Just need to find some places that I can work with. Thanks for the heads up about the Mexican and the olive garden. I would probably not order my own meal there because the servings are so HUGE. I think it would be safer and less tempting to eat a little from my DH's plate. Still learning, though!

You made a good choice, Julie. Shrimp was my go-to food early out. I could do well with Wendy's chili too if you're trying to think of fast food places.

--gina

Early out, I tried soup mainly. If it had to be fast food, Wendys chili or baked potato.  Taco Bell refried beans and cheese.  Subway, deli meat and veggies out of a sub.  That still works better than a salad although I can eat the salad, it is way too much.  As I have gotten further out and can eat anything, I look for low fat and calorie entries and then know it will be 2-3 meals.  I have been very successful at ordering what I want, even if it isn't on the menu.  At Mexican, I get a burritio with what I want in it and ask for now wrap on it.  I change sides to something I want and can eat.  It's amazing if you just ask, most places will help you out.

Julie
You sure are doing great!

very early out I liked to eat the taco bell refried beans for fast food..otherwise a little later and still I often get salads I find that I can eat "alot" of salad and I can digest it pretty well...shrimp was an excellent choice though! Glad things are going so much better for you!

Olive Garden has a chicken flatbread pizza appetizer that has chicken breast, sun dried tomatoes and some sort of cheese... just scrape the toppings off and it is a yummy dinner with a bite of salad... YUM!!!

Meg

It definitely IS a learning process and it sounds like you did very well the first time out.

I think you've had some very good advice, especially with the Wendy's chili - get the small and you'll have some left over.  I almost always just do a sandwich-ectomy and eat the innards and not the bread....

Stay away from the carby places (Olive Garden, Mexican, etc).. they'll just make you miserable. 

AND you're right.  leftover is the result of the surgery - I just wish at times I'm back at where your're at.  I still get the "you don't eat much".. but I feel I do. 

Thanks ladies!!! You all have awesome suggestions and advise, As always!!

I am very thankful for the ideas. Eating out is a little scary and overwhelming still. Now I feel more prepared, no matter where my hubby decides to stop! Information is empowering!!!! Thank you again!                  -Julie