eating out

[cornflakegirl]

i was at work today & was feeling lazy so i thought about picking up some take out on the way home. i decided, yumm, pf changs sounds good. i'll just check out their online menu. big mistake. their menu is now displayed complete with nutritional content. great because i wanted something without egg, but bad because i was turned off of eating out. boy, was i shocked. the dish i usually order, which is essentially broccoli, tofu & sauce has 52g of fat in it. i had some fun playing around. lamb & beef dishes 96g of fat. desserts around 1800 calories & 97 grams of fat. holy shit. this ruined my appetite for some tasty chinese.

i try to eat thing that are relatively healthy, especially at home. . i don't count fat grams or calories, but *knowing* that something it that unhealthy turns me off immediately. I can easily eat something like pizza when out & know that it is not the healthiest, but i won't know just how bad it is nor will i have guilty feelings about eating it. the fact that i now know that the ma po tofu has more fat than i should be consuming in one day bothers me & i won't be able to enjoy it like i used.

and desserts . . . i won't buy a cookie at the store that i know has 18g of fat, but i will occasionally have dessert while out. ordering dessert, i am unknowingly consuming my fat for the day, but i will order it without as much thought & deliberation i give to putting a cookie into my shopping cart.

my point being that when eating out it is hard to monitor exactly how healthy or unhealthy a food is. if fact, i kinda look at free food & eating out as freebies. if i don't know, it doesn't count.

[Angyl]

this is exactly why I try to limit my take out to twice a week. Once at work for lunch on friday, and once on the weekend.

Chinese food is jsut notoriously horrible for you....I lvoe PF changs too. Oh god, lettuce wraps? I could live off those things.

[Alexsy]

i am really, REALLY bad about eating out. i do it waaaayyyyy too much. as a result, i spend far too much on food, food that is typically not great for you. :(

oh well. if i weren't so damned lazy, i'd start cooking ...

[shimmer728]

Son of a bitch! My boyfriend and I eat Chinese or some type of Asian food every weekend, and we usually pig out on appetizers, a huge entree and often dessert as well. We've both remained on the thin side, though, so that must be a result of all the walking we do. *crosses fingers*

[WeirdBrake]

But don't forget that when we have one of those huge Chinese appetizers + big entrees + dessert meals, frequently it's because we've slept really late, gotten up in the early afternoon, and slowly made our way to the Chinese restaurant at 3 or 4 in the afternoon for our first and only meal of the day.

[shimmer728]

Oh, right. It's totally healthy to lay on our asses all day and then gorge ourselves! :D

[WeirdBrake]

You care to step outside, ese?! :p

[shimmer728]

I KNEW you were going to say that! And stop calling me a term paper. You loose-leaf notebook, you.

[WeirdBrake]

You may be a term paper, but you're MY term paper! :)

(and I happen to know a little something about good term papers ;) )

[shimmer728]

You know, we're really big dorks. And we've completely crashed Liz's discussion on fattening takeout.

[WeirdBrake]

Liz won't mind as long as I don't start talking philosophy or law.

[shimmer728]

Liz won't mind as long as I don't start talking philosophy or law.

Sweetheart, NO ONE wants you to start on that. :rolleyes:

if fact, i kinda look at free food & eating out as freebies.

Back to this point.....I am exactly the same way. I look at the fat/calorie content of everything I buy at the store, but never think about it when I eat out. Crap, I probably consume more than 2,000 calories when I eat off the breakfast bar at Eat 'N Park, but I figure since I only do it once a week, it's OK. It's probably not, but it makes me feel better.

And drinking alcohol is another good example of this. When I used to go out a lot, I'd frequently guzzle four or five Smirnoff Ices or some kind of mixed drink. HELLOOOOO, empty calories!

[biodork]

And drinking alcohol is another good example of this. When I used to go out a lot, I'd frequently guzzle four or five Smirnoff Ices or some kind of mixed drink. HELLOOOOO, empty calories!

This is where being a lightweight is very good lol. And I try to just go for shots :p


And I definitely made the mistake of checking out the calories and fat content in pizza hut pizza over last weekend, because I was craving it so badly. My bf and I wanted a four for all, which doesn't seem as greasy as the rest. Heh yeah, 600 calories per EACH of those little pizzas. And actually when i added chicken and pineapple to mine, the calories went down (woohoo!). That totally kept me from ordering it.

Oh but you know what I don't feel AS bad about eating? Chipotle (and sometimes baja fresh) Even though I know its so completely bad for you, I don't feel as bad because the food is all made fresh. Go figure. lol

man now I'm hungry....

[paiger81]

Back to the original topic: The majority of calories & fat in an Oriental restaurant are in the sauces(which are usually sugar based). Whenever I get take out, I normally ask them to just suatee the stuff I like, but leave the sauce off. That saves a LOT of calories.

[heatherf]

We had Cheesecake Factory last night. Yesterday I was an emotional eater- I had a shitty day at work.

We got fried calamari - I LOVE FRIED CALAMARI, and I had 1/2 my BBQ Chicken Sandwich, and then we shared some Apple Crisp for dessert.

I know I gained 2 pounds over night. :torn: Doesn't matter that I'm pregnant, I shouldn't be eating shitty foods. I'm usually really good too!

[megrocks]

Just last week I was going to Pei Wei for lunch (which is the same food as PF Changs just a different restaurant) and I thought the food wouldn't be that bad because they had nutrition facts on the website. A typical chicken dish had about 380 calories, which I didn't think was that bad. Then I looked closer. It was 380 calories per serving, and each order was 2.5 servings. What the hell?? It also didn't include any rice. Which means that the posted 380 calories is actually more like 1,000. Every item on the menu was like this. Even the salads were considered 2.5 servings, making a simple lettuce salad with some chicken over 800 calories. For a salad. It's so frustrating to eat healthy when options you think are healthy turn out to be anything but. And this is at a place where they post the information. What about in the hundreds of other places where they don't??

[wordsmith]

Most Chinese takeout is also bad due to the amount that's fried...which is far more in Americanized places than in more authentic places, I'm sure.

P.S. Heather, I get the fried food thing, but, really, half a sandwich and sharing a dessert is overeating? :confused:

[biodork]

I dont think I even want to know how bad Crab Rangoon is for you...

[mishl982]

That's one thing that I don't like about restaurants. Usually we're like "Oh man, that's such a huge serving!" when really it's like 2 or 3 servings. I think I've only finished my whole meal a few times when I go out, but usually I order food knowing that it's gonna be lunch or dinner tomorrow.

[paiger81]

Has anybody noticed that on 20 oz Coke bottles they now list the nutrition facts for a normal serving-8 oz--then they list nutrition facts of "This Package" the ENTIRE 20oz bottle.

I really wish places would start serving amounts equal to 1 nutritional serving. It would make life so much easier.

[wordsmith]

Crab Rangoon is my favorite thing ever. But, yeah.

[wordsmith]

I really wish places would start serving amounts equal to 1 nutritional serving. It would make life so much easier.

It's true. But if the cost stayed the same, I wonder if people would bitch. I know around here, people I go out with bitch about certain restaurants where "you don't get your money's worth," when they are in reality serving normal-sized portions.

[mishl982]

I really wish places would start serving amounts equal to 1 nutritional serving. It would make life so much easier.
Hehe when I go to McDonalds I order the Happy Meal - that's like the perfect serving size (although not healthy)!

[megrocks]

The dreaded Pei Wei has the nutrition facts for Crab Rangoon. It's not pretty. This is the sort of recipie I would like to try and make myself baking instead of frying and using light cream cheese.

[mishl982]

The dreaded Pei Wei has the nutrition facts for Crab Rangoon. It's not pretty. This is the sort of recipie I would like to try and make myself baking instead of frying and using light cream cheese.
I found you a recipe where you make it as a dip, and bake the wonton to dip in the crab sauce. Maybe it'll be a little bit healthier :)

Quick and Easy Crab Rangoon Dip (http://appetizer.allrecipes.com/az/QickndsyCrbRngnDip.asp)
One serving is 148 calories and 7 grams of fat. :huge:

[paiger81]

Hehe when I go to McDonalds I order the Happy Meal - that's like the perfect serving size (although not healthy)!

:p I get the Mighty Kids Meal :p

But if the cost stayed the same, I wonder if people would bitch.

I would think they could lower the costs, because the people who ate more could just order more. Or maybe sell stuff by the cup, pint, quart or whatever. We have a Chinese restuarant that does this, and I love it, that way I can just get what I need.

[heatherf]

Most Chinese takeout is also bad due to the amount that's fried...which is far more in Americanized places than in more authentic places, I'm sure.

P.S. Heather, I get the fried food thing, but, really, half a sandwich and sharing a dessert is overeating? :confused:

WS- I over ate. It may not sound like it, but I kept eating after I knew I was full. :torn:

[wordsmith]

Paige - No, I know. My point was just that I think there's a mentality that when you go out to eat, you should get large portions of food...I think it's just something consumers have been conditioned to...the "more for your money" aspect. Which makes it hard to change eating habits and attitudes, when the prevailing mentality for a lot of people is that the most food for your money, regardless of whether it's healthy to wolf it down in one sitting, is best.

I agree with you. I'm just kind of brainstorming on the psychology behind widespread overeating.

Heather - Okay, I see what you're saying...also, in light of the past few posts, it's likely that your sandwich WAS probably enough food for more than one serving.

[paiger81]

No, I know. My point was just that I think there's a mentality that when you go out to eat, you should get large portions of food...I think it's just something consumers have been conditioned to.

Oh, I see!! Well, I would think that if you could buy a pint of moo goo gai pan for $1.99 you would see that as a value, and you could snag them on the $$ issue in order to get them away from the eating too much.

[Kitty]

I think Asian restaurants (I think the word "oriental" is pretty offensive) are super unhealthy because of the amount of oil. My friend's own a Chinese restaurant and I've watched them prepare the food. Insane amounts of oil.

I am actually trying not to eat out at all anymore, unless I know for sure that what I am eating is healthy.

[heatherf]

It's like the new BK Enormous Omelette Breakfast Sandwich. That thing is supposed to be a whole day's worth of everything. Effing disgusting.

[Kitty]

Doesn't Taco Bell have 1/2 pound burritos? Like, they have 1/2 pound of meat in them?!?!

[MetFanL]

I eat out about once a week or so and I just can't be bothered to stress about it. I'm usually at a nice restaurant and I tend to crave really fresh and healthy stuff... Or, something light b/c I don't want to get sick if we're going out afterward. But, I'll always share a dessert and have a cup of coffee or a shot of Sambuca w/ coffee beans in it afterward.

I don't know... I just think that I'm really careful every other day of the week, so I can have a little something and enjoy it when you're out to dinner. I also find that making it a bit of an event really helps. Order a glass of wine that goes with your meal and really savor it when you're out to dinner. Get dressed up, sit up straight, and really take the time to enjoy your food and whoever you're dining with.

Take out, for me, makes me overeat b/c it's in the privacy of my home. So, I try to make sure I put it on a plate and eat at the table. Even McDonald's... That helps me not to overeat, as well.

[wordsmith]

Re: the use of "Oriental"...I guess I don't use it for restaurants, because it's not very specific (is the restaurant Chinese, Thai, etc.)... But my understanding is that "Oriental" is an offensive term to use in regard to people, but not items, i.e. rugs, a style of furniture, a type of cuisine, etc. I could be wrong.

[mishl982]

I think Asian restaurants (I think the word "oriental" is pretty offensive) are super unhealthy because of the amount of oil. My friend's own a Chinese restaurant and I've watched them prepare the food. Insane amounts of oil.
Mostly the reason WHY I lost weight when I moved out of my parents for school and gained when I moved back home. I even yelled at my mom once to "watch the oil!" lol

[paiger81]

I think Asian restaurants (I think the word "oriental" is pretty offensive) .

I agree with Words take on it. Furthermore, the Chinese restaurant I go to is owned & operated by some Chinese people is called the Oriental Palace.

Though my favorite cuisine is Vietnamese food.

[Kitty]

Re: the use of "Oriental"...I guess I don't use it for restaurants, because it's not very specific (is the restaurant Chinese, Thai, etc.)... But my understanding is that "Oriental" is an offensive term to use in regard to people, but not items, i.e. rugs, a style of furniture, a type of cuisine, etc. I could be wrong.

That is possibly true. I've just never heard it used when referring to restaurants. I am good friends with a Chinese family who own a restaurant and I think they would be offended if they were referred to as an "oriental restaurant"

[Kitty]

I agree with Words take on it. Furthermore, the Chinese restaurant I go to is owned & operated by some Chinese people is called the Oriental Palace.

Though my favorite cuisine is Vietnamese food.

Hmm..maybe I'm wrong then. I'll have to ask her next time I talk to her.

[mishl982]

Hehe, you'd think as an Asian person I'd have an opinion on this! :p I personally, don't get offended when "oriental" is used, but I have heard that thing about how you use "oriental" towards objects, not people.

[paiger81]

I am good friends with a Chinese family who own a restaurant and I think they would be offended if they were referred to as an "oriental restaurant"

I am thinking it might just be a personal preference. I grew up in an area that had a huge Vietnamese population, then moved to Houston & worked near Chinatown, and none of the Asian people I know are offended by the term "Oriental Cuisine".

[ce607]

The word "oriental" just means "eastern," or more literally, "where the sun rises." But maybe its use has made it an offensive word. I'm not sure.

Re: Taco Bell. This is the only fast food I eat, and I do love it. Their grilled stufft burrito (I think this is what Kitty mentioned) does have a ton-ass of food in it. My husband and I call it "The Sledgehammer" because that's what it feels like in your stomach :D

[Kitty]

Hmm..Ya know, this is actually a pretty interesting conversation. I have a lot of Asian friends, and I have dated several Asian men - and I actually can't say for sure whether or not they would be offended by "Oriental."

[Kitty]

Re: Taco Bell. This is the only fast food I eat, and I do love it. Their grilled stufft burrito (I think this is what Kitty mentioned) does have a ton-ass of food in it. My husband and I call it "The Sledgehammer" because that's what it feels like in your stomach :D

Hmm..no, lol, there is actually a burrito that they call "the 1/2 pound burrito"

I wonder how big that thing is. I tried to get my boyfriend to order it just so I could see what it looked like....

[paiger81]

I have never called an Asian person an Oriental.....because that sounds wierd IMO, but when it comes to food & objects, I've always used the term "Oriental".

Now I'm curious too, if I have been breaching some form of etiquette that no one has ever told me about. :heehee:

[Kitty]

As soon as my friend comes online I am going to ask her!

[paiger81]

:lol: I'm e-mailing a couple of my friends :lol:

[J-girl]

I dont see anything offensive about "oriental". I know some Asians think its lame- like they'll give you a "funny gee thanks for making me sound so exotic" look.

We used to have an Oriental Student's Association at my university and all the other 10,000 asian organizations used to make fun of them. I even went to one of their pub nites once.

[mishl982]

Ok I'm in the researching mood today :p
http://encyclopedia.lockergnome.com/s/b/Asian
The term Asian can refer to something or someone from Asia. Its precise use varies depending on who is using it.
Since approximately 1990 in the United States and Australasia, "Asian" has been considered a more politically correct term for "Oriental", which previously referred to people from China, Japan, and Korea.

I really think it's a personal preference. I dont get offended by it, but others do.

[pisces2473]

Re: the use of "Oriental"...I guess I don't use it for restaurants, because it's not very specific (is the restaurant Chinese, Thai, etc.)... But my understanding is that "Oriental" is an offensive term to use in regard to people, but not items, i.e. rugs, a style of furniture, a type of cuisine, etc. I could be wrong.
And1??? Deja vu? ;)

I called myself Oriental last night b/c I live in the East. The east of the US!!! HAHA

[Kitty]

OK. I asked my Chinese friend if she found it offensive and she said yes, it is offensive. Her exact quote was, "The right word to use is 'Asian'"

[paiger81]

My friends replied that they didn't care. My guy friends example was : "It's like how some people from Mexico prefer to be called Mexican, while other's from Mexico prefer the term Hispanic."

So I think we have determined it is a personal preference.

[Kitty]

Wait..more..just in..

She said she finds the word "oriental" offensive even when talking about things (i.e. oriental rugs) because it is the name that westerners gave to Asians and that it is associated with a lot of outdated stereotypes and misconceptions about Asains. Asians is the name that Asians gave themsevles.

[Kitty]

So I think we have determined it is a personal preference.

Agreed. But if you're trying to be PC..I think you use "Asian"

[heatherf]

And1??? Deja vu? ;)

I called myself Oriental last night b/c I live in the East. The east of the US!!! HAHA

Jen....tryin to claim somethin'!

[mishl982]

So I think we have determined it is a personal preference.Agreed. But if you're trying to be PC..I think you use "Asian"
Didn't I already establish this? :confused:

[paiger81]

Mishl-
Yes, yes you did.

[Kitty]

So, am I beating a dead horse?

[cornflakegirl]

But don't forget that when we have one of those huge Chinese appetizers + big entrees + dessert meals, frequently it's because we've slept really late, gotten up in the early afternoon, and slowly made our way to the Chinese restaurant at 3 or 4 in the afternoon for our first and only meal of the day.

your weekends sound like the ones that i spend with deadend.

so orientals? i refer to everything as asian & if i can whichever specific country. i use oriental for the rugs & that's about it.

[paiger81]

So, am I beating a dead horse?

:lol: I've always loved that expresion. I REALLY want to know who was the person who beat the dead horse, so that that expression could be born :lol:

[Kitty]

:lol: I've always loved that expresion. I REALLY want to know who was the person who beat the dead horse, so that that expression could be born :lol:

Once my friends and I were really drunk and we couldn't remember the exact saying. We were like, "Is it beating a horse w/ a whip?!?" Ever since then I always have to pause before I use it.

And, sorry if I was beating a dead horse ;)

[mishl982]

Hehe, I was just wondering why you gals were researching it so much. :p But it does help to get the opinions of others too.

So anyways, back to eating out. I could really go for some Outback right about now which I KNOW is not healthy whatsoever!

[paiger81]

I went to a health food place for lunch. Had myself a yummy "The Vegan"-which is Pita bread with hummus, sprouts, cucumbers, lettuce & tomato & shrimp & corn bisque, and drank a Decaf, Sugar Free Rasperry Iced Tea that they make. Such good stuff!!

[Deadend]

I just got back from going out for Thai. Good stuff, although I'm pretty sure those fried noodles arn't the healthiest food.... fact is I just don't want to know.

Now yesterday I weant out with my family to a TEXAS themed restraurant. Now that was alot of food. But I pointed out that it was supposed to be to fit into the theme. Definate calorie overload. I think my favorite thing about the place though was the map/shape of texas hanging on the wall made out of beer caps. Incidently, all canadian beers except for the odd budweiser cap. I got a real kick out of that with regards to the whole ironic crappy sence of authenticity thing.

[paiger81]

Texas Themed restaurants always crack me up, cause they are always WAY tackier than we really are.

[Deadend]

This one didn't even compare to the steakhouses I've seen like "Montanas", it was actually in a kind of yuppie area of town. But I tottaly know what you mean, it must be hilliarious.

I was told of an "American" themed restaurant in London. One of their "dishes" what the famous american specialty - frozen chocolate bars, because, I'm told, americans only eat their chocolate out of the freezer.

[wordsmith]

Illinois doesn't have any theme food, really...except maybe Chicago-style deep dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs.

[paiger81]

But I tottaly know what you mean, it must be hilliarious.

Yeah, when we were in Georgia, we decided to see what the Texas restaurants were about. When you are seated, you are given a bucket of peanuts, and you just shell them and throw the shells on the floor.So the floor of this restaurant is covered in peanut shells.

WHERE THE HELL IN TEXAS, DOES THIS HAPPEN?!!!

:huge: :huge: