On WW and going out for dinner- ????

[sharoncity]

Well I'm fairly new to WW. I have been VERY diligent about recording everything I eat and the points etc. Tonight, I have to go out for dinner for a work related gathering. My question is, how do I figure out the points to record for my meal? My flex points reset on Wed and I try not to really use them. I know I will have to tonight, but how? I have no idea about portion sizes and fat content......

Help!

 

[KathyTX]

You can definitely succeed while dining out as a Weight Watcher! Here are some tips:

If possible, decide what you'll order before you get to the restaurant. Many restaurants have their menus online, and this is a great tool to allow you to figure out your healthier choices ahead of time.

Keep it simple. It's simple to estimate points values for "plain" items like grilled chicken (3 oz piece is about the size of your palm, and is 3 points.) Casseroles, sauces and more involved items where you don't know the ingredients or cooking methods will be much more difficult to estimate.

Go for the veggies! Opt for simply prepared vegetables if possible- steamed veggies are usually 0 points.

The fork trick. Order your salad dressing on the side, and dip your fork into the dressing rather than drowning your salad in it. You'll still enjoy the flavor of the dressing, but without ALL of the points.

Beware of the breadbasket! Do not allow the bread basket to sit in front of you if you are prone to nibble from it. Either take *one* roll and banish the rest to another part of the table, or forego the bread altogether.

Water. Order a glass of water with your meal. Alternate each bite of food with a sip of water. You'll find that this slows your eating to a slower pace and you'll be able to recognize when you're satisfied and stop eating easier.

Just estimate the best you can, and enjoy your dinner! Focus on the fellowship rather than the food, and have a good time.

 

[sharoncity]

Thanks Kathy! You helped to calm some of my concerns!

I'm glad you mentioned the salad trick and especially the water trick. Ever since I had children, I tend to INHALE my food. I mean, I eat SOOOOOO fast, people just stare. But when they were babies, it seemed like there was such a small window of time to sit down and eat, I would just "shovel" it in. Last night I made a VERY concerted effort to slow down. I will try the water sipping trick tonight.

I will take your advice too, to stop worrying so much and enjoy the fellowship. Too often we do forget to stop and enjoy ourselves. Thanks!

 

[MelanieC]

Hi there,

Kathy pretty much covered it and did such a fantastic job!!

Eating out is so easy on weight watchers once you learn how. The keep it simple rule is key. Sauces are tough, and I usually just assign a sauce a number if I have some.

I have a PDA and have a ww tracking program that has a built in area that I imported the 2002 complete food guide from DWLZ.com. This allows me to find almost any food that I would eat and get points. I also have all the restaurants I eat at downloaded from DWLZ on there. This makes it so easy when eating out.

Planning is the key. You can break down almost any entree and just figure the points for any dish like you were at home. Also, if you order something that has something that is high in points, but the rest of the dish seems low, ask if you can have that item taken out. At Applebee's I will take a salad that has fried chicken and subsitute grilled with the nuts, crispy noodles and dressing on the side. This way I can add what I think is a serving.

Start playing around at home with measurements. Learn what approximately a 1/4, 1/2, 1/3 and 1 cup measurement looks like. Play around with teaspoons and tablespoons. I have a food scale that is digital. I have gotten where I can (with almost complete accuracy) guess what 1 oz of cheese, nuts etc is.


Also, add lemon to your water. It makes it feel more like a real drink. (Sometimes I will get plain ice tea, but usually water). The lemon just gives it a little click.

Be sure to ask them to cook your food in no, or as little oil/butter as possible. Most places will accomodate.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[maryliz]

I love "the fork trick" -- I had never heard of that before. I think I'll have to try it. And since I almost always order my dressing on the side, this will work quite nicely!

Too true about the bread basket ... I could eat the entire thing. The good thing about going out to eat with co-workers is that I will *never* have a second bread -- only when I'm with family

Most of all, enjoy your meal. Don't let your "point-figuring" ruin the evening!

Mary Liz

 

[sharoncity]

Thanks guys!

I really appreciate your input. I am ready to have a lovely dinner and some wonderful companionship! I have chosen my meal and I have loosely figured my points. It looks like I'll only dip in to about 5 of my flex points to boot!

I am going to "pass" the bread basket, have 1 glass of wine , salad with dressing on the side, my entree and plenty of water with lemon! Yum!

I feel much better going with a plan of "action" and my points already written down. I feel much more comfortable because I feel like I am in control. (Hopefully this will mean I won't go hog wild when I get in there! )

Thanks again and I'll report back tomorrow!

 

[KathyTX]

Sharon!!! Writing your points down ahead of time sounds like a great tip!

Now you have a plan, and you're already expecting to have fun. You've got this Weight Watchers thing totally figured out!

Have a great time tonight. Enjoy that glass of wine! (I'd trade the bread for wine, too!)

 

[bunnyfoo]

I also think it's important to remember that you don't have to eat everything on your plate When I go out, I usually find the portions way to big. So I usually split them and eat half of them in the restaurant and I take the other half home.

If you're not sure of how something is cooked, you can always ask ... they might be willing to use different ingredients or cooking methods. Sometimes you can substitute items like salad for fries.

The bread basket is a killer for me as well ... Sometimes I'll send it back as soon as it arrives. I love bread and it would be so easy for me to eat the entire thing by myself

 

[sharoncity]

A BIG thanks to everyone! I had a wonderful time last night! Does laughing for 3 hours count for exercise points?

I stuck with my plan for the most part. Passed on the bread (not easy since it was still warm rolls... Yummmy!) Got a second glass of wine and indulged in one chicken wing that was part of a whole bunch of appetizers that the table ordered. I didn't let myself feel guilty at all, as I knew I was using some flex points and that is something I don't usually do. But now I feel like I can stay OP even better because I had a small taste of the "forbidden fruit" and now I won't crave it again for awhile. Knowing that I can still go out to dinner occasionally and relax, enjoy and kick back makes the sacrifices the rest of the time worth it!

Thanks again for your ideas and encouragement! You guys are the best!

 

[KathyTX]

I'm so glad you had fun last night! Laughing is the *best* way to earn activity points.

Sounds like you did great with your plan... those flex points sure are handy! You can indulge a little and not feel guilty.