Question:
Restaurant Dining still stressfull.
My husband and I often share an entre now and most of the time it works well but often when a huge plate of food is set in front of me I get turned off eating and feel my stomache restricting right. I feel overwhelmed with so much food. It is still weird for me to be asking for a takeout container as soon as I get my plate? Not many restaurants allow you to order 1/2 orders which would be great. Dr Joya's team gave me a gastric bypass card. Almost like a business card explaining my need for small portions but I still don't want to draw attention to myself. Ordering appetizers all the time is kind of tiring, too! Does anyone else have any hints.....? — buceriasjean (posted on March 1, 2010)
March 1, 2010
I'm 8 months out from RNY and I know exactly what you mean. A large plate
of food is a total turn off. I ask the server for a small plate and eat off
that, and then take home the rest for another meal. With friends I've
ordered soup and then a appetizer while they eat they're meal.
I am proud of my weight loss of 100lbs. and often tell my waitress. I find
it an opportunity to educate. I think there's a lot of misinformation and
confusion about RNY. And people are very interested and supportive in my
journey Best of luck,
Donna
— donnaholman
March 1, 2010
What a wonderful problem to have, huh! I think both Weight Watchers AND
Jenny Craig advise ordering a container up front and removing the excess
food from sight immediately. It's not unique to people with WLS. Best
success.
— Janell C.
March 1, 2010
I feel the same way I get overwhelmed when ordering from a menu so I
usually just order soup and just take bites off my husband and children's
plates. To me I feel better not thinking about a huge plate of food I can't
eat, and I usually can't eat left overs I get really nauaseted don't know
why but I do.
— neecelee
March 1, 2010
I had RNY Dec 30, 2009 and I too have a hard time with going out. I was
told at Applebees that I was not allowed to order from the childrens or the
seniors either. However, I do find it easy to ask for a take out box as I
order my meal and do not have a problem with telling why. I had this
procedure to safy my life and I will tell everyone what I had done and I
have even showed my scars to people. Be proud that you did this surgery and
don't worry about what others think of you and do what you have to do.
— lscheller
March 1, 2010
Actually with all my eating problems with protein, I kind of stopped going
out to eat, but if I do, I have a baked potato or black beans.
— FSUMom
March 1, 2010
O Charleys lets me order from the Kids Menu and the 5 oz steak fills me up
and I end up taking the balance of that meal home.Thats after 7 mos out.
— alaskaman
March 1, 2010
i ask ahead if they will alowe me to order achilds portion.i show them the
henry ford bariatric card.if they won t then i tell them that i will never
return and i will mention it on all the chat boards i m on. fire mountaim
and OCB told me to get a carry out box and take it home.i ask why would i
knowingly buy leftovers ,and thankedthem and said i will never come
back.E.g.NICKS, LENNY MILLERS and DENNYS arevery accomodating. there are
more of us every day so lets mention those who help us and those who don t
care.
— hanksguns
March 2, 2010
I just order a small plate.... then i take a bite from mu husbands plate
and both kids plates.. then thateres my meal. And usually a variety too
lol. If I am with friends, they usually allow the same, but if I just want
to feel self sufficient I order a childs portion. Ive never had anyone tell
me no.. yet! They have said that it cost 1.00 more for an adult to order
that portion which is fine with me. I didnt come all this way and make all
this progress to fuss over that dollar!!! LOL best of luck to you!!
— callen3640
March 2, 2010
Whenever I go out I order the soup and ask for broth only...or as much as
they can ladel out. Everyone so far has been very good about it..I usually
tell them up front that I am going to be a pain in the butt. If I truly
want to eat, I order an appetizer after i have the soup. This way, the time
needed between is allowed. Many restaurants offer grilled shrimp and
seafood is often a good choice for low calories and high grams. However,
not all restaurants offer a soup that is brothy, in this case I just order
something small or share with my husband or mom or whomever I am out with.
I do tell the waitress I am a bypass patient if the need arises, such as
needing smaller sizes or ordering off the childrens menu. I have had no
disrespectful issues arise. Everyone wants to please the customer. They
want you to come back. Tip well, this also assures an easier time , next
time. If I have a great waitress I get their name and request them next
time. Little tricks to help make my life easier..lol Best of luck to you!
hugs n God Bless, Kim
— gpcmist
March 2, 2010
I think the main issue here isn't the food, it is changing our habits. We
are so used to ordering at ALOT of food that we just do it out of habit.
Try and take your time when looking at the mmenu. Remember that the
resteraunts aren't catering to peple like us, they are there to fulfill
needs of the old us. You have to change your habits because you know if you
order the greasy good stuff you will get sick. I havereally found that
salads are great. Get ones with meat cheese or eggs on them. Even if its
too big I get a container from the start and dump half in for tomorrow.
Also like others have said, just steal bites from everyone else. Change
your habits. It is ok if you are not comfortable advertising about your
surgery, just take your time and make good choices instead of rushing or
pressuring yourself into something that will make you sick. Remember to to
STOP eating when you are full. It is ok to throw food away even if it is
wasteful. Push the plate away or have the waitress take it. Get up and take
a break by walking to the bathroom even if you don't need to go. Usually by
the time you are back at the table you won't want to eat anymore anyway.
Godd Luck to you!
— lynnredboy
March 2, 2010
I love asking for a "doggy bag" to go. Makes me feel good that I
didn't finish my plate but liked the food enough to take it home!
My worry is that I'm still able to eat a fair amount - still less than I
used to but still more than desired. I've only had one fill on the lapband
so this will change with time I think.
I think it's a complement to the restaurant that you want to take food
home. I've been to restaurants where I ate very little and didn't want any
more at all!
— Jan S.
March 2, 2010
I had the problem at the beginning. Now I am 8 mos out and I pretty much
read the menu, decide what I want, eat what I can and take home the rest.
I LOVE leftovers. But if I leace it I always remember the old saying
"Better going to waste than sitting on your waist".
— kuhlkittle
March 2, 2010
I am nearly two years out and still find eating out hard. I can share with
others if they don't care but my husband does not like to do this. The
people are always asking if the food is ok. Eating slow makes them think I
don't like it. I usually say I was not very hungery or already ate.
I don't think they need to know my personal information. Why do they care
if I eat it or not as long as I pay for it. Anyway enough of a rant. I try
to order small portions and usually the senoir menu is ok. Soups and
appetizers get tiring really fast.
— trible
March 2, 2010
I'm 8 months out from RNY and I used to feel anxious everytime I went out
to eat. I didn't feel comfortable with others watching me eat. For the
first few months I would only eat soup or salad because those choices felt
safest to me.
I've gotten over it. I can usually look at the menu online before I go to
the restaurant so I already have an idea of what they're offering.
Sometimes I ask for a to go carton up front because I know I can't eat it
all and look forward to having leftovers the next day. I'm surprised so
many people eat off the kid's menu; I haven't found anything particularly
healthy on the kids menu other than the occasional grilled chicken or mixed
fruit. Most of my favorites are pretty easy to modify, like the jambalaya
at Cheesecake Factory. I just get it without rice or pasta and end up with
a reasonably sized plate of chicken, shrimp and bell peppers. Somtimes I
ask if I can substitute the pasta for steamed broccli. Fajitas are also
good to get without the tortillas. It takes time, patience and a bit of
creativity, but eating at restaurants will become enjoyable again!
— KiaSunRay
March 2, 2010
I hear you. Typically when we go out ( not very often, too hard to control
the calories, fat, etc), my husband orders his foood, and I'll order an
entree for my son ( I NEVER order off the shildren's menu unless there is a
healthy option for my boy to eat, ehich is VERY rare) so that he gets
something more nutritious than a cheese pizza or fried chicken fingers.
I'll share his meal with him - he gets a full 1/2 meal complete with
veggies and good food, and I'll eat about 1/4. This still gives me enough
typically to have for a meal the next day, too!
My surgeon's office never gave us cards - anyone have an idea how I can get
one in case my work peeps go to a buffet? I never go, even though I want
to, because it isn't worth me paying an adult buffet price because I dont'
even eat a plate...
— stellarsan
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