The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Marseilles]

I'm not sure if this is the right area for this but I know it is a question I hear asked often so I thought I would share.

My downstairs neighbor and dearest friend in Florida is an adorable little 94 year old lady. Yes, you heard right, 94...how much of a kick is that, considering I am in my thirties? LOL...well, my dear little friend and I do things together a minimum of twice a week and one of her favorite things to do is to go out for lunch. Granted, its probably safer all the way around as it keeps her from cooking (she still lives alone), but it means that I eat out a minimum of twice a week. If I do not go out with my family aside from that...so usually three times a week. ANYWHO....I thought I would share a listing of places I have found that are medifast friendly and serve very tasty lean and green meals.

I hope they come in use for some of you here, when faced with decisions about eating out.

Red Lobster: Broiled Tilapia (or rainbow trout or grouper) and steamed veggies. YUM! Of course, common sense dictates that you ask them NOT to bring the biscuits. If they are not on the table, they will not be consumed. Comes with a small side salad and balsamic vinegar upon request as opposed to other dressings.

Mimi's Cafe: Oven roasted turkey breast with steamed veggies. Delicious! Again, request no bread, theirs is stellar and I'd not be able to resist the call of it.

Bahama Breeze: Skewered seasoned chicken breast and steamed veggies. Extremely tasty.

Outback: 6oz. lean steak and grilled veggies, again yum! Leave a bite on the plate to keep within the requirements.

Longhorn: Grilled Chicken and asparagus. Ask for NO lemon butter on the veggies.

These are just a few that I have tried with great success. I guess my point is that I have NEVER gone into a restaurant where the wait staff and kitchen staff have not been more than accomodating with me about my requests. Medifast does NOT have to mean self denial or avoiding a 'regular' social life. It is also very educational and a good opportunity to learn what food choices to make after we are done with the weightloss phase.

Cheers everyone, we can do this!!!
-M

[Jan]

Oh How fun to dine out with your sweet little neighbor!! My dad will be 100 in about 30 days. My kids always loved to go out with him too ( He has just recently had a problem and we bring food in now -- but for 99 1/2 years he did great!!) My single son has taken him on trips and on boat excursions. He says he's "better than a puppy" when it comes to attracting girls I'll bet your little friend really loves to go.
And it is soooo nice of you to include her in your outings. Your restaurant ideas are great too. See, we can head out to those most tempting places. Just need to know what to order and what not to have on the table in case we are betrayed by the "hand"

jan

[Patti]

You are so lucky to have such a variety of restaurants in your area. The biggest restaurant available in the very small town that I live in is Shoneys...and I never could stand the food there. Although, we have just about every fast food/drive up window place you could ask for

You are especially lucky to be able to spend time with your 94 year old friend.....she must be a walking history book!

Patti

[Bonnie]

Thanks for all the great suggestions!!!

Bonnie

[DogMa]

Just to add a few, I also get fajitas at On the Border (half chicken, half veggies so you get the zucchini and stuff instead of just peppers and onions). At Chinese places, I get steamed chicken and veggies, with sauce on the side so I can dip my fork in it and get the flavor with minimal calories. At Japanese, I get teriyaki chicken and veggies (some places have this, some don't), with the sauce on the side because it's usually very sugary. At a Greek place recently, I had chicken souvlaki with veggies and a side salad (although it killed me to ask for it with no olives or feta; I'm half-Greek).

As for Shoney's, I've never been, but their online menu says they have grilled chicken breast, salmon and ribeye. Add salad or other veggie, and you're good to go. (Although if you don't like their food, then I guess it's not an option.)

[Serendipity]

My husband and I eat out alot. We have an accounting firm and it's tax time......ARGGG...neither of us can face cooking some nights.

I don't think there are many restaurants that can't accomodate the Medifast plan. In my experience, the ritzier, the better! We went to a great restaurant in the city recently. I pulled the waiter aside and told him that I was on a special diet and could he make sure that my food was prepared with no added butter or oil, etc. etc. He did a great job, he explained the cooking process of each dish. He made me feel very special.....this guy got a great tip!

Everyday eating out is easy, too. Sometimes hubby gets hungry for a Pizza Hut stop. I just take along a soup and ask for hot water.

Medifast is so easy to work into my lifestyle. I truly think I could stay on this plan forever......and I'm sure I will to some extent.

[Marseilles]

I totally agree Jo. Also, my sympathies during tax season...ugh to the power of the ugh!

I agree, this will be a lifelong thing. You know I think we as overweight people have this misguided view that skinny people dont struggle with their diets and/or weight. Even the celebrities out there who have what is considered to be the 'perfect' bodies make conscious decisions every day about how they will control their weight. You can bet that what we are doing is a far healthier choice! No power cleanses and self starvation for weeks before a big event, no grueling 6 hour a day workouts, etc. Restaurants will ALWAYS be accomodating, they like our money! It is easier for them to grill a lean piece of meat and steam some veggies and they are leaving us very satisfied as customers. It just makes good sense, for them.

In order to stay at a healthy weight once we achieve our goals, we HAVE to adopt a mindset that this is a decision we have made and will make for the rest of our lives. We will NEVER be able to fill our faces with reckless abandon but we WILL be able to enjoy what we want on special occasions or whatever by making wise food and exercise choices for the duration. It is a decision that will require discipline and thought from here forward.

It is also a decision, in my opinion, that will affect our immediate families, spouses, children, grandchildren etc. and others we come into contact with. By seeing us live healthy lives through healthy choices we will be setting examples for those we love. This is an opportunity for us to help undo some of the negative things that we as North Americans have done to ourselves! Instead of supersizing ourselves and everything we consume, lets make an effort minimize it all, to go back to food for fuel mentality and not binging.

I recently saw posted that the average dinner plate is now in excess of 12" whereas it used to be 9". Is it any wonder our waistlines have expanded along with our propensity for weight related disease and suffering? Gone should be the days of instant gratification and foodie rewards. We need to embrace that we are doing this for all the right reasons and take charge of what it means to be healthy and happy.

I for one look forward to the continued journey.

*steps down off of soapbox*

Sorry, I dont know where that came from...haha

I hope you all have a blessed day filled with good choices and continued success!
-M.

[falisamarie]

M

All I can say is Wonderful post! Very motivational.

Lisa

[mmob]

GREAT POST!!! When I'm in Florida w/my parents - and I'm going back again in March - we are just down the street from the Bahama Breeze and Mimi's!!! Good to know!!!


Cheers!
Maria

[falisamarie]

Maria

When you are here visiting again you, me, and M should get together and meet. What area do you come to?

Lisa

[mmob]

Lisa,

I come to the Altamonte Springs area - right near Orlando. I grew up in Longwood.

I'll be down March 20th and then again on April 18th.

ARe you guys close to that?

Cheers!
Maria

[Marseilles]

I live in Longwood! Wild!

[falisamarie]

I live just out of Sanford about 20 min from Altamonte Springs!

Lisa

[mmob]

Wow - My parents are in Longwood - my dad is in an Altamonte springs Rehab center. I just didn't put Longwood first as I didn't think anyone would know where it was!!

I grew up there - my parents are still in my childhood home.

What a small world! When I was reading that post and seeing Bahama Breeze and Mimi's I was picturing 436 and Palm Springs Road area - guess I was right!!

Very cool!

Maria