How do you all handle Restaurants?

[janetrupp 2]

We like to travel so since i am mending alot better now we are getting some travel set up. My question is how do you handle dining in restaurants? Of course I want to dine with my husband, but don't like to waste food and I really don't eat much at a time. Do you have a system that works or just eat from his plate???

Thanks, Janet

[KitKatKate 1]

I order an appetizer for my main meal. It usually works out perfectly. Or if my daughter is with us I get a main entree for my other half and share the one with my daughter.

[NikiS 31]

I have gone out a few times and I too have gotten an appetizer as my meal. Even though it's only a little bit of food, I still have leftovers to bring home which isn't a bad thing.

[Rootman 1,101]

Same as above, appetizer as an entree, split and entree with the wifey and even take what's left after sharing if close to home - that's how big portions are now days. If we can't agree on an entree together we'll each take one and take the rest home.

For traveling unless you've got an RV with a fridge I would suspect the sharing / appetizer method is the best. If hubby wants more than his portion then I guess you'll have to just eat what you can and toss the rest, maybe after seeing 3/4 of a $15 entree get tossed he'll wise up and split with you. My wife has lost a few pounds since *I* got the surgery too - she shares with me and we both eat less.

If a wait staffer asks about it I just tell them I've had stomach surgery and can't eat much, occasionally we'll continue the conversation and I'll tell them about my WLS but usually they just accept the surgical explanation and leave it at that.

[Forensikchic 528]

I am three months out and I do both of these. I usually share now instead of getting an appetizer. My head is still bigger than my stomach and I still think sometimes I can still eat so I "want" to order a separate thing but I have learned that that is just wasteful. I cant even eat much of an appetizer, so sharing is a good thing. Also, I tell them I had stomach surgery and ask permission to order from the kids/seniors menu sometimes. The portions are way smaller and it costs less. Sometimes they have good choices like grilled chicken, etc on them too.

[lsereno 2,525]

I generally order off the appetizer menu or share an entree. Sometimes I order an entree for myself and box the part I can't eat. Most of our hotels have a fridge and I carry a small cooler bag, so I can eat the leftovers for lunch the next day. Or sometimes hubby polishes them off later that evening.

Lynda

[thinoneday 445]

Yup, I do the same, order a appetizer or a regular meal and just box the left overs and take it home for later. Usually lasts about 1 day. So that works good for me. I don't like eating out of others plates so that would not work for me.

[Forensikchic 528]

Yup, I do the same, order a appetizer or a regular meal and just box the left overs and take it home for later. Usually lasts about 1 day. So that works good for me. I don't like eating out of others plates so that would not work for me.

Just a clarification..I ask the waiter for an extra plate or use the bread plate and put some of his Protein on my little plate at the start of the meal. That way, we both have our own plate. Sometimes I share with my 13 year old daughter if she goes with us but I have my own plate, of course. I dont think I could just eat off someone else's plate at a restaurant either.

[MeMeMEEE 206]

I haven't found the appetizer method very helpful as most seem to be fried and not much Protein. I haven't went out much but when I have I order my own and bring home leftovers. I know most hotels offer a fridge now and you can always do a cooler. My hubby will many times polish what I bring home off later in the evening as he works nights and so when he is off our dinner is usually his Breakfast so he is up all night. Sometimes I save it for another meal - that might not work at a hotel though.

[LR6909 10]

It depends. If I am with hubby. I usually get an appetizer or we order an entree and I eat what I can and he eats the rest. :-) If I am by myself. I either order an appetizer or order off the full menu and take the rest home for my lunch and dinner over the enxt few days or I give it to hubby. :-)

[myezzence 4]

I am 3 1/2 mos out and I always order a kids meal. appetizers are still too much for me...and sometimes the kids meals too. However at least, I get a small entree with 2 tiny sides. I thought I would need my gastric surgery card to get a kids meal, but so far none was requested.

[minniekitty 44]

I'm a little over 2 1/2 months post op, and when I eat out I share meals with people. I have ordered off the kid's menu. I also like ordering a cup of Soup as a meal. I never ordered appetizers, because at the restaurants I've gone to they're not that healthy.

It gets easier. At first I would order regular sized meals and then have to take most of the meal home or end up wasting it. After awhile, I stopped feeling self-conscious about ordering smaller meals. My eyes have started to adjust to my itty bitty stomach, too :smile1:

[Lissa 2,631]

I don't order appetizers much because they are often fried or overly spicy for Rex (my tummy). Even mildly spicy seems to upset him, so I avoid peppers and chili-based items. I will order a kids meal or a full meal and take the leftovers home. Many places have a choice of hot dogs, fried chicken fingers or mac n cheese as their kids meal, which aren't too hot for me.

I HAVE a card, but no one has ever asked for it. Dennys has been great about allowing me to order senior portions of meals. I love their grilled fish.

As for drinks, I usually order an unsweet tea or Water and ask for a to go cup. That way my drink stays cold while I'm waiting to be able to drink after I eat. In "nicer" restaurants, I just order Water and drink a few sips before the meal comes to the table.

Usually, I order something grilled or broiled, rather than fried, but I admit there are times when a fried chicken leg is just the thing. I know better than to have one every week, but if I'm craving something, I will eat what I'm craving. It often turns out to not be as good as my head told me it would be, especially when I can only eat two or three bites of it.

I am avoiding breads, Pasta and other simple carbs like rice and mashed taters, but that's my personal choice. IMO, they take up too much room in my sleeve that I could devote to a good Protein source.

[Imlosing big 112]

I always share with my husband i eat very little.

[immeagain 4]

I actually order a salad portion of chicken. I just ask if I can have a side plate of the chopped grilled chicken they use on salads or I will just order a chicken breast by itself. I haven't really had many restaurants even blink an eye and the last time I did this, they gave me the equivalent of two chicken breasts chopped up and charged me $4.00 for it. This was a nice restaurant too! I had meals for several days! I also take either steak or chicken home and re-season it so I don't get bored.