I posted this on the restaurant board, but thought I might get more help here..

[StaceyKath]

So I'm going out to dinner, sort of, on Friday night. My grandmother has season tickets to a local dinner theater. Now I have been many, many times, so I kind of know what the menu choices are. There is always a NY strip, a fish, a chicken, and a vegetarian. The sides served with these items varies and subs are usually fine, however with the fixed menu there may only be one or two side options, and none may be Atkins friendly. We also get a salad with choice of dressing (limited choices)

My biggest hurdle I guess you could say is that these are very expensive tickets and I don't want my grandmother to be upset or give me a bad times for not eating, so I don't think eating before and turning down dinner will cut it. There is also honestly no one else in my family who is available to go instead of me and I really, really want to see this show, (it's Chicago and their shows are always really good).

The serving sizes are not huge on the side items, it's a fairly nice place, not an all you can eat. How much damage will I ultimately do if I eat anything not approved?

-Stacey__________________

[Elsie150]

MMMM...steak...hold the potatoe...extra veggies please. Hold the sauce on them. Regular or Ceasar salad hold the croutons. Tell Grandma that you are trying to make it a habit of making healthier choices if you think she is going to give you a hard time about Atkins. I really recommend that since you are very close to goal that as soon as you finish induction that you move onto OWL and climb the rungs. There are important lessons to be learned there to learn how to keep it off for life. Including what you can eat and how much you can eat and still lose or not gain.

If you do end up making the choice..and it is a CHOICE that YOU have...eating off plan it may mean anything from no concequences to throwing you out of ketosis and it taking you several days or a week to get back on to kick starting cravings and you having trouble staying on plan.

Remember..it is about making the memory with your Grandmother..not about the food. Good luck!

[doeskin]

Sounds like you're going to be able to eat just fine! Steak (or chicken/fish if they are prepared without mystery sauces) and green veggies, with a salad to boot. Just make smart choices about the sauces, dressings, and sides and eating there should be no problem, especially if subs are not an issue, as you mentioned.

Have fun!