Is it possible to go to our favorite restaurants and remain on a healthy eating plan without feeling deprived? Do we have to curb our social life and eat home constantly to maintain reasonable portions? As a confirmed restaurant lover I’m asking all of you readers to give us your opinions and advice. What do you think? Does the thought of going out to eat spell trouble for your self control or do you feel like a kid in a candy store, wanting it all, just in case it’s your last supper?

Before January 1, 2007, most of my meals were eaten outside of the home. No matter how many times my husband and I promised each other to save money and have more meals at home, we still tended to spend way too much on restaurant eating. At the same time, ordering off a menu was a constant motivation for me to “eat whatever I wanted”. Before going on the Best Life program that often meant french fries, rich dishes, appetizers. I had a 6′ 5″ wrestler’s appetite trapped in a 5′2″ woman’s body. People sometimes looked at me in wonder at how much food I could consume. A former boss called it “being a scratch eater”. And no matter how full I was, there was always room for dessert.

One of the changes I made along with going on this program was not going out to eat very often. For the first time in my life most of my meals, and all my snacks come out of my kitchen, or at least my pantry. My husband and I are eating much healthier along with saving lots of dough on diners. On the few occassions we do go out to a restaurant, I’ve found that my meal choices are much more in line with my new eating habits. High fiber, lean protein, and lots of flavor. I’m a big lover of ethnic cuisine, because Thai, Italian, Greek, Latin, etc. is very flavorful food. I would rather have a little of food that is very flavorful and not “diet food” than a lot of bland, not-so-flavorful food. I’m also a big fan of SPICY food. Some do like it HOT!!

There are a few things that do seem to help me feel more easily satisfied now that I’m not ordering the most decadent menu items: having SOUP before my entree and ordering LOTS OF VEGETABLES instead of potatoes if it’s an option. (I almost forgot–really limiting the bread basket portions, too!) If I really want dessert, I mean REALLY want it, I share it with everyone at the table. So far, so good. Lastly, never underestimate the value of the doggie bag. If the portions are way out of line I can divide them myself and take the overage home. It really does feel better not to want to lay down and die from overstuffing myself. Keeping track of the hunger scale ( by eating slowly the 20 minutes it takes to feel full can register) is another good tool.

In many ways I personally find it most difficult to be alone at home with nothing but the TV for company. Boredom still is my #1 challenge in eating well and stopping when I’m full. When out in a social situation, I can focus more easily on the conversation and the people I’m with. Usually–not always.

I would love to hear what you gals think about the subject. Do you find it harder to eat out or at home and stay on your plan? What challenges do you find the hardest to overcome? Or at least to manage?