Recycled 2,182 Posted May 29, 2014 Well, it's been about 4 months and I'm getting sick of cooking my same ole dishes and bored with only eating at home. The wife's birthday came up and in accordance with usual event celebrations ........it called for eating out at a restaurant. So.......next question.....where and what?? Finally decided on Red Lobster. And the results were pleasantly unexpected. Instead of searching for some mini-appetizer or kids meal, I ended up ordering a huge Shrimp Trio. Turns out, with the Shrimp Scampi, I could count the shrimp for easy portion size in addition to shrimp being great for Protein. Not to mention, I love shrimp. I enjoyed it thoroughly an just boxed up the rest which will provide a few more meals at home. Had a couple of small bites of the wife's cheesecake to top it off and the whole outing stayed well within my daily food quotas, while being quite satisfying. Not such an ordeal after all. Once you get over the whole mini-meal hangup, eating out can be quite routine. 11 BeagleLover, enjoythetime, PdxMan and 8 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ziggypbang 272 Posted May 29, 2014 Red Lobster was my "Last Supper" before my pre-op diet started! I can't wait to go back and see what the food tastes like for real when I'm not shoving Cheddar Bay biscuits down my gullet with both fists! 3 BeagleLover, Recycled and I will what I want reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Recycled 2,182 Posted May 29, 2014 Red Lobster was my "Last Supper" before my pre-op diet started! I can't wait to go back and see what the food tastes like for real when I'm not shoving Cheddar Bay biscuits down my gullet with both fists! I took and ever so tiny nibble of the biscuits (so delicious and irresistible , I swear they put drugs in them) and then wrapped them up to take home to my Parrots. 1 Yadiordz reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ziggypbang 272 Posted May 29, 2014 Ha! I will probably make my husband eat two and then lick his lips! People will hide their children's eyes from looking at the porno taking place in our booth. Those crispy golden edges....aargghh! You're right, the biscuits must be pharmaceutically enhanced to be that crazy good! 7 JustWatchMe, Georgia T, KayleeC14 and 4 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millergirl314 168 Posted May 29, 2014 I am a big fan of seafood and red lobster is high on my list :-) shrimp seems to sit well with "Cujo" so I try to order some when we go out, and it's great for all the other meals you get out of eating out... If my husband doesn't steal my leftovers! The shrimp dishes at the Mexican restaurant are always excellent too! 1 Recycled reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowalking 10,790 Posted May 29, 2014 (edited) Well, it's been about 4 months and I'm getting sick of cooking my same ole dishes and bored with only eating at home. The wife's birthday came up and in accordance with usual event celebrations ........it called for eating out at a restaurant. So.......next question.....where and what?? Finally decided on Red Lobster. And the results were pleasantly unexpected. Instead of searching for some mini-appetizer or kids meal, I ended up ordering a huge Shrimp Trio. Turns out, with the Shrimp Scampi, I could count the shrimp for easy portion size in addition to shrimp being great for Protein. Not to mention, I love shrimp. I enjoyed it thoroughly an just boxed up the rest which will provide a few more meals at home. Had a couple of small bites of the wife's cheesecake to top it off and the whole outing stayed well within my daily food quotas, while being quite satisfying. Not such an ordeal after all. Once you get over the whole mini-meal hangup, eating out can be quite routine. Congratulations. Eating out is another big step in the eating normal process post WLS. This was one of my concerns prior to getting banded. I live in NYC and no one cooks here. We bring in or eat out. How was I supposed to still be able to do this? Well....nearly a year and a half later, I can tell you that just as you did...eat smart, choose healthy, don't overeat, I've had no real issues with eating out and I've done extremely well in terms of weight loss. Dining out is not something to fear but something to embrace especially when we stay in control. Nothing better to me than walking away from the table not stuffed to the gills and feeling uncomfortable and guilty. It's very empowering to know you had a good dinner but did not overindulge. Edited May 29, 2014 by gowalking 3 chasingadream, kltklass and Recycled reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nowarnp 12 Posted May 29, 2014 I haven't had to deal with this yet since I am only 3 weeks post op but last week at our meeting, we were given cards which we can show at a restaurant requesting a smaller portion meal. According to the surgeon and the dietician there, many restaurants locally will either let you then order off the children's menu if you like or give you a half size serving for half price. My surgeon wants to avoid having temptation in front of us if possible. That being said, what is it about those dang biscuits at Red Lobster?!! I swear I would eat mine, everyone else's and still ask for more. I have always thought they are the best thing there and seriously addictive!!! Glad you had a good experience and I will remember the shrimp when I finally start eating out again. 2 Recycled and ziggypbang reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LumpySpacePrincess 594 Posted May 29, 2014 I always order the steamed crab legs at Red Lobster. Crab is so low in calories and really high in Protein. Plus you have to eat slow since you have to crack it out of the shell! I take a bite of my boyfriend's biscuits, but lately he's just been asking them to not bring them to the table because he doesn't want to eat them in front of me. 4 Recycled, ziggypbang, Hellie and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KateB 63 Posted May 29, 2014 I have enjoyed Red Lobster post surgery. The biscuits I ate just in tiny bits and I could only about half of one whereas before, geez! scarf! And then ate Mahi Mahi, a soft white fish and broccoli that I chew like the dickens. Eating out isn't bad if you know your limitations and feel confident that leftovers are okay. I eat Soup alot but that isn't good for sustained feeling of fullness. So amazed at how much less food I eat now. Yippee! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowalking 10,790 Posted May 29, 2014 I always order the steamed crab legs at Red Lobster. Crab is so low in calories and really high in Protein. Plus you have to eat slow since you have to crack it out of the shell! I take a bite of my boyfriend's biscuits, but lately he's just been asking them to not bring them to the table because he doesn't want to eat them in front of me. Hey Lumpy....just be aware that the sodium count on the crab is through the roof. I remember when I looked at that info because I also thought the steamed crab would be a good choice and it was calorie wise. But it's really high in sodium so don't be surprised if you have Water weight gain. For me, I find the fish...grilled...is a better choice. It's why when I'm eating out in Jersey, I now go to Bonefish Grill more than Red Lobster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ginger Snaps 1,323 Posted May 29, 2014 OMG -- still preop -- think I'm going to have to go have a food funeral at Red Lobster tonight -- well, really, just for the biscuits! lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
macman 603 Posted May 29, 2014 I am five months out from surgery. I have been eating in restaurants at least twice a week for the last six weeks or so. I have found that anywhere I go, I can make good choices and that restaurants are more than willing to accommodate my requests. You just have to make sure you can stay with the program and not be tempted by things you should not eat or drink. 1 Recycled reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites