Eating out first time was tough.

[12 Volt Man]

I guess I did ok, but I learned a few lessons. I'm on induction day 8 today.

Last night my daughter performed for the half time of the Utah Jazz/Indiana Pacers game. I had to go to the Energy Solutions Arena straight from work and we spent the whole night there between the rehearsals and the game. What a great time! For dinner, we headed across the street to the Applebee's. I thought that would be a safe bet. They have a whole menu section dedicated to Weight Watchers. They pretty much left the low carb crowd out.

I looked through and made what I thought was the safest choices. I picked the Fajitas, which came with rice and tortilla's (I did not eat those two items). Also all the fajita fixins', a small amount of guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. I also ordered a Caesar side salad with no croutons.

Long story to get to the facts….. I think their Caesar dressing had some sugar in it, and there was a sauce on the fajita steak the definitely had sugar in it. Aside from that my first eating out experience on Atkins was ok. Yesterday lead to my biggest carb day of 27 carbs (not counting whatever sweet stuff they snuck into the salad dressing and fajita meat). I did have 6 of fiber, so really only 21 carbs. Interestingly, it was my lowest calorie day so far. Hopefully the next eating out adventure will be better. In any case I ate with better choices than I would have before starting Atkins.

I'm hoping I didn't throw myself out of ketosis. The metallic taste in my mouth isn't as strong today as it was yesterday. Just thought I would share in case my experience might help someone.

[sadie147]

I'm sure you'll still be in ketosis, just pick back up where you left off and you should be fine.

I just checked Applebees website/menu in Utah, and it doesn't list the nutritional info, but i'd say in future if you're not sure you'd be best to order one of their steak dinners with the veggies as your side dish (ask them to replace the potato/rice with extra veggies). http://www.applebees.com/Menu_Steaks.aspx You can even get mushrooms and garlic or garlic butter toppings! Mmmmmmm I'm suddenly very disappointed we don't have Applbee's here! LOL

[brittaserdar]

Hey 12 Volt, I know how you feel. We went out to dinner last weekend and I thought I was doing well but found out really quick I wasn't! It did drop my ketones but not gone so hang in there and just stay on the wagon and you'll be fine...Now as for me we went out to dinner last night and I stayed 100% on (Corned beef and cabbage no nothing other than cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and beef oh and BUTTER!) But my lovely huney went and ordered a martini and well I fell off the wagon for 1 I am still showing ketones but I have that itching feeling I really messed up but NO MORE! I can tell the hardest part for me is going to be not having my nightly drink...it has been a habit for 2 years and honestly I have always really enjoyed it...Oh well getting back to a healthy me is WAY more important!

[jrnyback2life]

Hi Rob,

There is a rule of thumb i sorta us when eating out, first thing i do is ask if there is sugar in any of the sauces and/or dressing I want -- at the very least the cooks should know. When in doubt assume there is. Second, also be aware that many meats are marinated when in a restuarant and usually they have sugar in those.
When in doubt, order a plain steak or chicken grilled with no marinate and a huge salad with mayo and mustard as dressing or bring my own. Or even a burger not marinated or any sauces on it, loaded with veggies and i like cheese on mine, with a side salad with mayo and mustard, mix it all together and its a legal good dinner without worrying about what's in everything.

Those sauces, marinates, and dressings can be full of sugar so you may want to watch out for them. Also, just some trivia, i believe TGIFridays and Outback have low carb things on the menu, O'Charley's too.

Edited because it was all over the place and i didn't finish my thought re the restuarants.

[DigitalMocking]

Always keeps some induction friendly snacks with you at all times too! Making your own jerky isn't that tough and you know there's no sugar in it, and you can limit sodium too. I like to keep a couple of ounces of macadamia nuts or almonds with me. If I can't get something I know is clean, I'd rather snack on something I know is good until I can get home.

[12 Volt Man]

It could have been much worse really. I was proud of myself for not falling off the wagon. I sat there and drank my water, when normally I might have had a Coke and two refills.

My skinny Wife and Daughter both had desert and I sat there while they ate. It didn't bother me. I wasn't even tempted for a taste.

I did get tempted at the basketball game watching all those people walking around with their tubs of popcorn, ice cream cones, hot dogs, and beer. I really could have fallen off the wagon at the game, but I stayed true to the goal.

[Sera]

well done, eating out is still something I don't particulary like but as journey said, ask if there is any sugar in what you order.
I'm not someone to usually have special orders but unless I'm sure they don't make something with sugar, I always ask these days and then choose accordingly.

now apart from getting a disgusting banana on my salad once (who puts a whole banana on a normal salad?) and getting some weird, sweet bean salad at a salad bar once, this has always worked quite well for me.

[blue996]

You could have done much much worse! Sometimes we can only work with what we are given, right?

[angelcakes]

this is my second time around and i've just started out, but my first time doing atkins i found that sticking with salads that had protein - chicken, steak, tuna, whatever - were the way to go when eating out. i would order them with no dressing or dressing on the side if there were a dressing that seemed okay. i love olive oil, so i would often ask if i could get some of that for my salad.

it is definitely hard the first time, but you learn what works. i'd say you did pretty good given your options!!!