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Healthy Romantic Restaurants
Do you have any suggestions?
I was just looking at the nutrition facts for the restaurant we were going to go to for dinner tonight and it looks like the only thing I can eat is the ceasar salad or the Chicken spiedini.. and I googled that and it doesn't look that good to me.
I was really hoping to do something more special than Chili's
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Re: Healthy Romantic Restaurants
Where are you going?
Usually Caesar salads have as much calories/saturated fat as a regular entree and don't offer complex carbohydrates or proteins.
The key to eating out and keeping it healthy is to sometimes be a PITA. For instance, ask that they steam your veggies and not add extra oil, butter or salt. Ask for sauces or dressings on the side, etc.
The trick I use to make it simple is just to try to pick a meal that is more than 50% veggies, then some protein and carbs.
On the other hand, I treat myself on the weekends. So, if we go out to dinner, I eat what I want because I deserve it. You might also, so don't beat yourself up.
I like PF Changs!
Very romantic, delicious food, and you can get healthy stuff like plates loaded with only meats & vegggies w/ no oil (lettuce wraps, etc).
EDIT to add nutritional info, I think there's good stuff here!
ITA with Ang. Plus, I make meals out of sides if I'm at a less than exciting chain restaurant. I always order a mixed greens salad and whatever the veggie of the day is on the side, and then build a meal around that- black beans, brown rice, etc.
If you're going to Chilis, which I haven't been to in probably 10 years, don't they have like veggie or chicken fajitas? You can then get nice vegetables, protein from chicken or black beans, and leave off the cheese, sour cream and guac, add salsa for flavoring, and wala!
I would also say to look at portion sizes. I know a lot of the places around here, have HUGE sizes. So I will order something that looks good, and immediately cut it in half when it shows up, and set it to the side. If you think you cannot resist the temptation of it there, order a to go box with it, and put half away (out of sight, out of mind).
I also order dressing on the side, rather than on the salad, and dip when you want it, rather than having the whole thing dumped on. It is amazing how much more flavor and less amounts you consume this way.
Romano's Macaroni Grill. The Ceasar salad had 420 Cal and was surprisingly low Na for a ceasar salad. low in carbs, low in protein
Ang - I wanted to just eat whatever because I have been doing well (You'd be impressed- I finally got up to 1600ish calories a day!) but I can't in sound mind guilt-free eat something knowing it's equivalent to more than half my daily alloted calories (including the workout I'm doing beforehand!)
I'd stay away from a cesar salad as PP said. Full fat dressing plus parmesan cheese is not healthy.
A house salad with a vinegarette would be good. And then maybe some steamed veggies with whatever entree you have.
Sauces on the side, again as PP said. Good choice.
I tend to call ahead to restaurants a lot and ask if they can accommodate me (I'm a vegan) so I would recommend doing that.
Are you looking for a chain restaurant or just a type of restaurant to go to? I like asian-fusion type places. A nice, quiet sushi bar can be really romantic and as long as you don't get tempura or have everything slathered in spicy mayo it's a pretty healthy dinner.
-- Thoughts become things, choose the good ones! --
Apples - I know Chili's menu pretty well (and can easily get a delicious filling healthy meal for less than 600 cals) I was trying to avoid going there
But I like the idea of making sides a meal, I've never done that exactly.
Erin - PF Changs is MUCH more friendly. RMG had very few things less than 1k cals!
Thanks everyone!
Ooh, Macaroni grill has a build your own pasta that can be very light if you're smart about it. I think under 600 calories for the entire bowl? Get the capellinni with three vegetable add ins. Put half aside and that's only 300 cal so you can have some of their delicious bread and a side salad. Or, I really like their olives appetizer.
Have fun!
-- Thoughts become things, choose the good ones! --
Lady, Macaroni Grill actually has a healthy dining menu! Check it out on their web site. We had to go there last month for a stupid work function and I got grilled shrimp, with roasted vegetables- It was pretty decent for chain food, lite and healthy
Yeah, Mac Grill was where I worked all throughout college. You can get healthy stuff and sub sides at no charge. If you get the grilled salmon or chicken with spinach as a side instead of the orzo pasta it comes with, that is VERY healthy. I also love the Caprese Salad to start off.
I don't go out to eat often but the last time DH and I did, I did this -- I cut my meal in half when it arrived, and put it in a box. I ate what was on my plate slowly (which gave DH and I plenty of time to talk) and drank a lot of water but I still left SO FULL. Plus, I had a delicious lunch for the next day (or maybe I ate it for dinner, I cannot remember).