NEED SAFE RESTRAUNT IDEAS!!

[shellicat]

HEY!!

I'm going out tomorrow night..........I asked this guy out [I never do stuff like that] to the movies, MY treat.....he said YES!! ...BUT only if we can go grab something to eat after, HIS treat.......I said [without a doubt] YES!! I am REALLY looking forward to this!!

What are the best places to eat while doing ATKINS.....especially still being in the INDUCTION phase?? HELP!! I NEED SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!!! Thanks!!

Much love~

[misterbenjamin]

Shellicat: Depends on if you're looking for something casual or more sophisticated. You can grab anything from a bunless burger at Carl's Jr's, among many others, or Fridays's has a good menu to select from, too. A lot of it is just common sense. Choose lean cuts, add vegetables, and salads. Try to stay away from breaded items and sweet sauces and marinades which may contain sugars. Eating out does have it's challenges. Just choose wisely and have fun. You're doing a great job! Keep it up.

peace,
Ben

[Moochiecat]

Pretty much wherever you go will have something you are able to eat. I've never had a problem, and every place has been accommodating when it comes to substituting salad for spuds or rice or whathaveyou.

Please please please don't be shy or apologetic about asking for substitutions!! I just flat out say that "I can't have potatoes (or rice or bread etc) so could I have extra salad/vegetables instead?"
A caesar salad with grilled chicken or shrimp is perfect, just say no bread or croutons, and you're set!

The last time we went out I ordered an appetizer plate of dry ribs, with a small salad on the side and it was so good..omg!

I've ordered a burger (hold the bun) with mushrooms, bacon and cheese, salad on the side with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

You can have steak and salad!

I examined the entrees at one restaurant, and one chicken dish had a sauce on it made from mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and cream...OMG..it was so good, and I asked them to hold the potatoes and give me as much salad as they could legally give me...lol

I find it really exciting to eat out, it's an adventure..like a treasure hunt to see what it is that I can have, so enjoy yourself!

[shellicat]

Thanks Mr.B, moochiecat.......willing to hear MORE suggestions!!!.....
.....keep them coming......thanks in advance......!!


Much love~

[attek]

One quick note on salad dressings - what you don't know may hurt you. Ranch can vary A LOT in carbs...up to 9 grams in Newman's Own (served with McDonalds salads - hopefully you won't end up there, but my point is that Ranch can vary). And if the salad has more than 2 T glopped on it that could add up fast!

So either ask the server politely to check the bottle for you, or bring you the bottle to check yourself. Or ask for oil & vinegar. Or take your own. I've done all three, but I prefer to take my own packets.

Atkins is so pleasurable because as long as you can resist the temptations, there are endless varieties of places to eat out. Red Lobster's seafood, TGIF and Ruby Tuesday both have low-carb menus, although not all the items are that low-carb! Almost any place will have steak. MMM, Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse are two great places. Just stay away from pizza, Mexican and Chinese...it's too hard to find legal foods there.

Have fun and congrats to you for planning ahead. That's one of the keys to success! Atkins works and it's worth it!

[4myself4mykids]

I've heard people mention they take their own packets...how? where do you get them? What kind?

[Bren]

I personally think eating out is a pleasure and a joy on this WOE! We went to Red Lobster the other night. Yep....... that was PERFECT! Any place for a steak and salad! Oh, how we have to suffer doing Atkins :nono

[attek]

I went to a local restaurant supply store - see Restaurant Food Supplies, Food Products - Retail, Grocers - Wholesale in your yellow pages. Mine had Ken's Steakhouse Ranch - 2g carb per pack. The only thing is you have to buy it by the case which is like 60 packets for around $20. I'm still on my first case. It was worth every penny because I eat out a lot and this removes all doubt as to what's going in my mouth. There have been many times when it would have been way too inconvenient to carry a bottle along.

[misterbenjamin]

I went to a local restaurant supply store - see Restaurant Food Supplies, Food Products - Retail, Grocers - Wholesale in your yellow pages. Mine had Ken's Steakhouse Ranch - 2g carb per pack. The only thing is you have to buy it by the case which is like 60 packets for around $20. I'm still on my first case. It was worth every penny because I eat out a lot and this removes all doubt as to what's going in my mouth. There have been many times when it would have been way too inconvenient to carry a bottle along.

Great idea, attek! And fairly inexpensive. But when you consider the convenience factor, your advice here becomes priceless. Yellow pages, here i come. Thank you for sharing.


peace,
Ben

[da Walnut]

The Cracker Barrel has a menu section that is dedicated to low carbers.

[shellicat]

Thanks..........AGAIN......attek, 4myself4mykids, Bren....AND da walnut for ALL the GREAT ideas!!!.....
.......We decided on TGI FRIDAYS......I hope I do OK!!
........This will be my FIRST time eating out.....AND ....feel kind of nervous about screwing up.....BUT I gotta do it sometime!!!
As for the movie?? ......That is still being decided....thanks again!!

Much love~

[misterbenjamin]

Thanks..........AGAIN......attek, 4myself4mykids, Bren....AND da walnut for ALL the GREAT ideas!!!.....
.......We decided on TGI FRIDAYS......I hope I do OK!!
........This will be my FIRST time eating out.....AND ....feel kind of nervous about screwing up.....BUT I gotta do it sometime!!!
As for the movie?? ......That is still being decided....thanks again!!

Much love~

You'll do fine. Just remember make wise choices. Choices that honor you and your body. Enjoy your dinner and a movie. Or was that a movie and then dinner? Either way, have a great time, kiddo!

peace,
Ben

[indydog]

Don't be afraid of eating out. Just keep a good eye out and do it in moderation. During induction, I often ate at Applebee's (they have a "take-two" deal and I had a small steak and plain shrimp). I ate the veggies, no potato, ordered a salad with blue cheese, and drank lots of water. I just watched my veggie intake during the day. I also would eat at our local pizza place ordering 12 plain chicken wings (no sauce) and a large salad with blue cheese. I never felt left out when it came to eating out...

Indy

[Moochiecat]

Hey, if you go here:

http://www.tgifridays.com/main_flash.html

tgifridays web page, you'll see the Atkins 'A' on the right hand side advertising their low carb choices!

Just make sure what you're choosing is induction-friendly (as opposed to OWL-friendly) and you'll be laughing!

I'm jealous!

[redink]

I personally think eating out is a pleasure and a joy on this WOE! We went to Red Lobster the other night. Yep....... that was PERFECT! Any place for a steak and salad! Oh, how we have to suffer doing Atkins :nono

I'm afraid of going to Red Lobster because they have the endless shrimp special going on... and I could really down a LOT of shrimp!!