Eating out: What are we really eating?

I wish I could say I was never going to eat out again but I'd be lying. :eek: I think nutritional info would help me be more careful, though. Not that I don't already know what's basically bad (a double burger, for example) but it would help remind me. ;-)
 
Fast food is so bad, I am lucky in that it's only me I have to feed (well besides the cats) so I eat at home most of the time. I am horrible at eating packaged food but that is still better than eating out. I like the website www.calorieking.com, you can find lots of information there on fast food places. If you check out Ruby Tuesday on there or on their own website it is one of the worst for calories per item, no way would I waste my hard earned calories on that food!
 
I kinda always thought this was common sense. Would anyone be shocked a the calorie count of the overly rich and oil laden food at the Olive Garden or Red Lobster? Their food is so rich is not even enjoyable, at least to me anymore. I enjoy going out to dinner but I don't hesitate to request that they cook it the way I want it...which probably makes it easier for them anyway. And if it is really something decadent I just eat a small portion and toss the rest.
 
I've heard about the high calorie count of some fast food. A double bacon cheeseburger HAS to have at least a day's worth of calories in, as well as a week's worth of fat!

I assume that pretty much all food in restaurants, even in the nicer ones, is higher in fat and calories than what one would make at home. One reason why I do most of my own food prep (unless I'm travelling).
 
We very rarely eat out, and honestly, I could not even order/eat a burger or any of those above mention foods. On the other hand, I love Japanese restaurants, I could eat there every day if I could afford it!
 
Yes, I'm aware of this. When I have to eat out, I always ask for no cheese, please steam veggies (dry, no butter or oil), no seasonings on my chicken, put sauce on the side, etc. I really get grumpy when I am on travel for extended periods of time as I prefer my own cooking! LOL
 
I think a lot of the general population likes the "ignorance is bliss theory". Most people probably realize the stuff is not good for you but have no concept of how bad. I think more people than not have no clue how to even guesstimate what is in these food items. I knew most of you guys were aware of this kind of thing ;-)


Debbie


Adults are always asking kids what they want to be when they grow up because they are looking for ideas.
--Paula Poundstone
 
I will continue to eat out because I enjoy it. I don't do it all of the time and will always look at the "lighter" or "healthier" meals on the menu to see if there is something there I might like before I go for the heavier stuff. I know it's still bad but hey, I'm not perfect and I don't want to be either! I freely admit that I still enjoy the "bad" food and will never give it up 100%!!!}(

I eat healthy atleast 80% of the time and for me, that is good enough! :+
 
Ah Tig....you and me both. except for Olive garden and Red Lobster (bleh!)

And Deb..no offense intended regarding my comment sense comment---I heard the original news story and I couldn't help but think to myself "Well, wth to do people expect when they order the 'colossal' burger"
The news reporter seemed to think it was all shocking!
 
>Ah Tig....you and me both. except for Olive garden and Red
>Lobster (bleh!)
>
>And Deb..no offense intended regarding my comment sense
>comment---I heard the original news story and I couldn't help
>but think to myself "Well, wth to do people expect when they
>order the 'colossal' burger"
>The news reporter seemed to think it was all shocking!

I agree with you 100% Beavs. To me, yes, it IS common sense! I KNOW the food is bad but still choose to eat it on ocassion and that's fine but to be *SHOCKED* that it's unhealthy fatty food??? Are people *REALLY* that niave (sp?)or is it that they just don't want to admit that THEY DON'T CARE or better yet...is it that they want to be able to blame someone else for thier health problems after eating out every night for 20 years and claiming they thought it was HEALTHY!?!? C'mon people!!!

:)
 
Not even a problem, Beavs! I'm in the same boat with you guys. I like my unclean time, too.


Debbie


Adults are always asking kids what they want to be when they grow up because they are looking for ideas.
--Paula Poundstone
 
>Not even a problem, Beavs! I'm in the same boat with you
>guys. I like my unclean time, too.
>
>
>Debbie

ALL HAIL TO THE UNCLEAN!!!!}( }( }(

In moderation ofcourse!;)
 
Before my healthy Cathe days I used to go to the Olive Garden and get the Chicken Alfredo pasta and eat the whole thing:( Between that and the bread sticks I probably ate more calories in one meal than I eat in two days now.
 
>Before my healthy Cathe days I used to go to the Olive Garden
>and get the Chicken Alfredo pasta and eat the whole thing:(
>Between that and the bread sticks I probably ate more calories
>in one meal than I eat in two days now.

LOL, you are probably right but wow, does that sound yummy!:9 }( :9
 
We rarely eat out; mainly because DH is a great cook. When we do, we never go to chains. There are way too many good privately-owned restaurants to, on the few times that we do go out, waste our money, taste, and time on a meal that's not as good or better than what I eat at home. Of course, I know that we take our chances; it's not as healthy as what we eat at home. That's why we it's called splurging. Ofen we'll get an appetizer, a salad, and split an entree because we want to try a variety of things the chef or cook has prepared, yet we don't want to stuff ourselves. To us, eating out is about getting away from our routine, concentrating on the food, the wine, the company, the whole ritual of going out to eat.

Unfortunately, advertisers have made it their mission to convince us that cooking is so hard and time-consuming that no normal person could do it. That's why chains, fast-food, Hamburger Helper-like meals, frozen prepared meals, etc. are what most people depend on for their dinner now.

Sorry for the rant. I'm just tired of people claiming that food is the enemy, when, actually, what most people consume is so far removed from what real food is.
 
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