Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Social Dining



Recommended Posts

I was just banded and only my family knows. What do I do when I go out to eat. What should I order at the different cuisines, I do not want to draw attention. Any suggestions? I used to do Dallas BBQ or Pizzeria Unos, Chinese. I also don't want to stop taking my kids to their favorite places to eat. Because I'm. Sure what to order. I just had a brilliant idea restaurants should have a menu for individuals who had weight loss surgery. Something like the low calorie section.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I try to work around it, egg drop Soup or a salad. After fills just softer healthier food. I pay special attention to chewing and small bites. That's been tough for me at times.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use the Lose It! app to track my calories. One of the bonuses is the fact it also has restaurant foods in it, so I can look at the calories and nutritional breakdown of foods before I order. I found this to be particularly helpful because looks can be deceiving. You'd think a tuna sandwich would have less calories than a burger, but if the tuna is loaded with fatty mayo the burger is actually less calories. Same with chicken, if it's cooked in a fatty manner, you'd be shocked how much calories things like chicken strips really are.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I always look up the restaurant online and look on the menu. Most restaurants that I go to have the nutritional info on there. I know ahead of time what I am going to have to eat.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It becomes increasingly easier to find menu items at restaurants the further out you are from your band surgery.

I look for basic salads with grilled chicken, and order the dressing on the side to use only a very small amount. If there are no salad choices, or you are not able to tolerate lettuce yet, there are usually grilled chicken options. Become familiar with sauces and seasonings to know beforehand what options are still flavorful yet don't have an abundance of carbs. Instead of potatoes, I always ask for the vegetable of the day to substitute for the potatoes.

We also now limit our eating out to one evening a week, so I have more control over what I am eating for my meals.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm also interested in the different cuisines. I know that most places have fish, but not BBQ restaurants, generally. Chinese has salmon usually and egg drop Soup is a good choice, but we can't all eat shrimp. Wondering what other choices are good at Chinese places.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm also interested in the different cuisines. I know that most places have fish, but not BBQ restaurants, generally. Chinese has salmon usually and egg drop Soup is a good choice, but we can't all eat shrimp. Wondering what other choices are good at Chinese places.

I've not been to a Chinese restaurant since 2 months prior to my surgery...too many carb filled temptations for me there...however one of the best bets for bandsters would be beef and broccoli, a dish usually found on the menu.

I would not even attempt to eat this until you are at least 6 months post op, as it does contain beef, which many cannot tolerate.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I always make sure to order something that I know will not be dry because I have a big problem with dry meats. I also like to order something that will re-heat well since I cannot eat a whole entree alone.

Since I eat out so infrequently, I am a little more lax with calories, but I do try to make healthy choices.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you were just banded, then it will be a bit harder to order at a restaurant but not impossible.

Personally, I just looked for what places had Soups during the weeks soon after and suggested to friends that we should eat at those places. A lot of places put their menus online as well so you can look at them beforehand and see if there is anything you can eat.

Once you get to the point of eating solid foods you can stop worrying about consistency of the food as much. Get an appetizer or bring food home since one really shouldn't be able to eat it all comfortably. It becomes a lot easier then.

I'm young and have a social life to maintain. Eating out is necessary. The lapband works fine with that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've not been to a Chinese restaurant since 2 months prior to my surgery...too many carb filled temptations for me there...however one of the best bets for bandsters would be beef and broccoli' date=' a dish usually found on the menu.

I would not even attempt to eat this until you are at least 6 months post op, as it does contain beef, which many cannot tolerate. [/quote']

Just started eating beef and broccoli and I was banded 2 months ago. I also tried scallops and it went well but maybe should have asked for the sauce on The side so I would have had less.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Lizette1122

      Anyone had the TORe procedure? How did it go? How much weight did you loose? 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LadyVeteran1

      Sleeve surgery is on April 14th.  I am counting the days!!  Can't wait!
      · 3 replies
      1. Brookie2shoes

        Me too girl!! Are you in the full liquid diet right now? It’s sooooo hard!

      2. LadyVeteran1

        Not yet. I was told I only have to do 24 hours of a liquid diet. But I have my pre-op tomorrow so I’m going to confirm if I need to do longer.

      3. buildabetteranna

        Your so close now! It's gonna be great :) Wishing you a speedy recovery and looking forward to seeing how it goes!

    • buildabetteranna

      Down 33 lbs and slightly stalled, but I'm gonna reevaluate and push through. I started back to work last week after 2 years of being disabled due to mental health as well as my weight. It's a great job and I'm just so happy to have this opportunity at a second chance at life. Hope everyone is having their best journey ❤️ Together, we got this!
      · 2 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Great work Anna! Keep it up 😁

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 1 reply
      1. stevieoriole

        Am feeling this right now. My surgery date is 4/1. Sign the consent tomorrow. I feel like I overloaded myself with too much info, too many opinions. Got to the point where I was wondering if I should do this. Then I thought of my reasons for taking this step and that settled my nerves. Still get moments of doubt but am striving forward. Am just going to follow my book from the surgeon. Joined this because I was told by my dietician that I should do this for support

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×