weight loss and restaurants

I know I have covered this topic but my experience last nite emphasizes this issue: Choose restaurants wisely if you are on a mission to lose weight. I went to a place called the Melting Pot....lots of people raved about it...you cook your own food at your table, their desserts are heavenly etc.

Okay, the famous food critic, Posner, will give you his review: BAD

I always tell my patients if you are going to ingest food or drink sources off of your dietary plan,make sure it is worth it..meaning high quality food...a very ezquisite dessert...a fine wine....not a three musketeers bad, Boones Farm wine or other cheap sources of calories.

Back to this restaurant...cheese appetizer in a pot with bread to put into it....cheese was no better than velvetta.....main course marginal....and then they tout these chocolate molten desserts with marshmellows and other things you dip into the chocolate....once again, I thought it was NOT worth the calories....

Anyway, I know this is only my opinion but I ask all of you to evaluate your choices of restaurants and try to leave off the lost places which are known solely for their high-caloric dishes...choose places that provide high quality protein in a wonderful atmosphere.

weight loss and food combinations

Hey...sorry about not posting something yesterday...went to Atlantic City with my son and brother and by the time I got back, put on the football games, etc. I became a slug. Am I forgiven? Not that my lack of an entry ruined anyones Sunday! Laughing....

Okay: I noticed something when I was at the restaurants this weekend. We are always used to ordering foods off the menu that are THEIR combinations. Hamburger AND fries....Steak AND mashed potatoes....Teriyaki chicken OVER rice....

Here is the issue: don't be afraid to change the offered combinations. Ask for steamed vegetables instead of the starch. Do NOT order the special menu deal that offers up a desssert as part of the package. Most restaurants are happy to make special combos for you so ask the waiter for the combination of food that makes most sense for your weight loss efforts.

And I promise not to miss next Sunday!!!

weight loss and restaurant choices

Chances are that your spouse/friends may not also be in a weight losing mode. In your quest to lose weight, you are trying to stay away from restaurants that only offer high-caloric choices...pizza and pasta places, fast food restaurants, etc. Sometimes, you feel as if you are a "party-pooper", meaning that others around you want to go to these places but you inform them that your choices are limited there and you would rather go somewhere else.

There are MANY places that will offer you some great choices AND offer the cheesefries, wings and other sh-- that some of the people around you may like. Diners are EXCELLENT choices, because the array of food is great...many wonderful protein and vegetable choices for you.

Please set yourself up for success by choosing restaurants that will not box you into a bad choice.

On a separate note...going to the Mets-Nationals game tonight. Two pretty bad teams. I grew up near Shea Stadium in Queens. Price for the upper deck back then: $1.30...hot dog..60 cents...soda 25 cents. God, I feel old!!!!!!!

Weight Loss and Restaurant Choices

Last night we went to dinner at Friendlies Restaurant. The menu was full of really fun choices...waffle fries with cheese, "fronions" (a combination of fired onion rings and french fries) cheese sticks, very large cheeseburgers, and their special of the week: "ALL YOU CAN EAT" fried shrimp (with fries) and if you ordered that, you get a FREE ice cream sundae!

If you were in a mode to GAIN weight, this restaurant is a GREAT choice to help you achieve your goals. However, if you are trying to LOSE weight (and if you are reading this, then chances are pretty good that you are) then this is a very BAD restaurant choice.

In no way do I advise our patients to avoid eating out...we actually encourage it. When boredom sets in, the next step is usually a "give up" mentality. We want you to look forward to weekends when you can perhaps dine out, meet friends, break the routine, etc. The poiint here is to choose the right restaurant to allow you to enjoy yourself, yet not be faced with a menu full of choices that will hurt your efforts. Perhaps a steak/seafood place...have a really large steak or (not fried) shrimp dish...salad to start or seafood appetizer...side order of steamed vegetables..sorbet for dessert or some berries...this makes for a great meal and will not at all hurt your weight loss efforts.

When planning your meals out give good thought to the menu choices and remember..it would take you at least 1.5 hours of intensive exerice to burn off a Fribble (milkshake) that would take you 3 minutes to drink!