Eating out on Core

[Guest guest]

Eating out can be somewhat challenging, but I see that several posts came

thru with good ideas.

It's not really that hard to get core foods at sit-down restaurants. Just

don't go planning to order directly off the menu. Try to find a meal that is

close to what you want, then ask for some changes. Make sure you explain to

the server why you are asking for the changes - it helps if they understand

and buy into your goal with you. If there's no meal close to your final

product, ask the server to put it together for you.

It's fairly easy to get a completely Core meal prepared, or plan on spending

just a few points for extras. For instance, you can ask for a plain baked

potato, with toppings on the side, use half the sour cream, and count it as

one point. I actually like vinegar on baked potatoes, which is no points.

You can ask for fish or chicken grilled without fat, just seasonings. Most

places can accomodate simple changes to the way it's prepared. And most

restaurants do offer fat-free salad dressings.

Another thing you can do, is not go hungry. Eat the main part of your

nutrition beforehand, and just have a salad and tea. Chances are no one will

even notice.

The one fast-food restaurant that I'm comfortable at is 's. I can do

the baked potato, and just count the sour cream, and have a side salad with

FF dressing. For a big splurge, I have their bacon spinach salad, use only

half the allotted dressing (which is low-fat), leave off the croutons, and

it only comes to 3 or 4 points. Even 's chili is only 4 points for a

bowl. Having a meal at 's doesn't have to take up anymore than 1/7 of

your points allowance, so you could do it every day, if you really wanted

to!

Hope that helps,

Cindi