Question: I work in a dentist’s office. We have 2 hours for lunch everyday and the staff likes to go to the Mexican food restaurant or the Chinese food restaurant nearby so that we can have a lazy lunch and take our time. I really, really want to lose weight but I enjoy the company of my office companions. Not to mention the margaritas. I don’t want to look like a party pooper. But, too many more weeks of this and I will have to go up another size instead of down. Help!
Answer: Well, obviously, the girls in the office are not going to want to make a trek to a seafood restaurant just for you so go with the flow and order sensibly. In fact, you don’t even have to share with your fellow workers that you are trying to lose weight. Just share as much information as you choose and begin to order differently. After they have consumed their margaritas, they may not even notice the change.
There is no reason why you can’t eat in specialty restaurants. Mexican restaurants usually have a variety of enchiladas, tacos, burritos....remember, I am from Texas. I am an expert on Mexican food. But, they almost always have a taco salad. I love taco salads. They give me the taste of Mexico without drowning my taste buds in fatty sauces.
Let’s deal with Mexican food in order. First, the waiter or waitress is going to bring a large unlimited bowl of chips and salsa. As soon as they do, ask for some carrot sticks or celery sticks and dip them in the salsa instead. If that is not available, just ask for one corn tortilla and break it apart to dip in the salsa.
Order water or tea....maybe a more decadent water such as Perrier. No margaritas or beer. If anyone asks why, just explain that you don’t want to chip anyone’s tooth while doing your afternoon work and you don’t feel totally in control after alcohol at lunch. In fact, that might be a good rule of thumb for them all to remember. Alcohol will also make you more hungry during lunch, give you the munchies after lunch and make you sleepy as well as slowing down your metabolism.
Almost all Mexican food restaurants have a taco salad on the menu. They usually come in a large fried flour tortilla. Just remember to ask for it to be served in a bowl so that you will not be tempted to devour your bowl. Leave everything off the salad except what is good for you or ask for things on the side so that you can add them as you desire. Order chicken instead of beef. Never get refried beans. They are full of lard. If you want to put a few beans on the salad, ask for whole black beans. Ask for the grated cheese on the side. If there are peppers and onions, ask for generous portions. Even extras. Then douse the entire salad with salsa. Yummmmmm. You are not sacrificing the Mexican taste but you are eliminating a great deal of the fat.
Another good choice in the Mexican arena is chicken fajitas. They have a little more fat in them but they can still be a good choice. When I order fajitas, I usually split an order with someone because the order is large or take the uneaten portion home for another meal. I never, ever wrap the grilled chicken, onions and peppers up in that flour tortilla. I simply put some of the fajita mixture on my plate, add a little of the salsa, pica de gallo, and lettuce that accompanies the order and eat it that way. Same taste but you eliminate the tortilla and the sour cream and you have a much healthier meal.
Chinese sound good? Chicken chow mein, steamed rice and Chinese tea would be a wise choice.
Most Chinese restaurants are also tuning into the public’s healthy eating requests. Many are including meals without sauces that are very appetizing. Steamed chicken or shrimp with steamed vegetables is a perfect meal. Just make sure that you stay away from the foods covered with heavy sweet and sour sauces or breading.
If you go to a Chinese buffet, you have to be a little more careful. It’s all out there for the taking. Just be wise in your choices. My favorite Chinese buffet has a stir fry station where you can choose what you want and they prepare it right there. I try to fill up on lots of good chicken breast and veggies from there so that the other temptations aren’t quite so tempting. Of course, they do have to use some oil when stir frying your order but it is still a wise choice for that particular situation.
And, that is the point. Making the wisest choices for whatever situation you are faced with. Eat out with friends and family. Eat out with your co-workers. Never put on your ‘suffering martyr’ face because you are ‘dieting’. No one wants to be around the ‘dieting martyr’. Besides, as you sit there with your glass of tea and your plain lettuce salad in front of you watching everyone else enjoy their meal, you are eventually going to get fed up and order half the menu because you are tired of being left out. Half the fun of eating out with friends and family is not the food. It is the company. The being together and enjoying one another. As long as your mouth is chewing right along with theirs, they may never even notice that you are eating differently. And you will be in a much better mood.
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