How I'm Doing It: Eating Out

Jenny's Journey Jul 25, 2017

I get a lot of questions about what specifically I have done to lose weight and get fit, so, I'm going to spend some time with a series of blog posts that does just that. This is the fourth in the series on nutrition.

So, what about when I want to go out and eat?

You will notice most chain restaurants now post their nutrition information on their menus. Can you believe that many of their meals are between 1,000-1,200 calories, just for the entree!

As a note, I go out to eat about once a week. I have cut way back on this. When I do go out, I have changed how I'm ordering and what I'm eating! Here's an example:

Breakfast- I usually will opt for an omelet and also get the breakfast potatoes. I will usually skip the toast, but not if the bread is delicious. So, if I go with bread, I'm careful not to load it up with jam. As a note, eggs are great for breakfast!
Lunch- If I get lunch out, it is usually Mexican fast food. I get tacos and black beans; however, I just dump everything into a bowl to eat, and I don't eat any tortillas. In my opinion, black beans are the best and I love them. I may also get a salad for lunch from the salad bar at work. I also load up on chickpeas in my salads for a healthy source of protein.
Dinner- I go to a few places that have delicious veggie burgers. I don't eat buns and I get veggies on the side instead of fries. Now, if I know I am really going to splurge for dinner out, then I will lessen my calorie intake the rest of the day to compensate. Especially if I know I'm going to indulge on a couple cocktails! I love bourbon and will have one or two cocktails instead of an appetizer or desert.

Eating out healthily can be done! But I will say it takes a lot of work and research into the food and options to keep it under control. You will notice most chain restaurants now post their nutrition information on their menus. Can you believe that many of their meals are between 1,000-1,200 calories, just for the entree! It is so easy to eat 3,000 calories in one sitting at a restaurant! So, you have to pay attention when you go out to eat for sure.