Alright ladies lets talk about healthy options when dining out! In California most of the fast food chains have their nutrition content posted, so you know exactly what you’re eating. Unfortunately nutrition info is not available in most sit down restaurants. Here are a couple shots of what my typical meals look like when we’re out to lunch/dinner.
We finally checked out The Counter (a burger spot in Orange County) and I was immediately impressed when I checked out their create your own burger menu! I love that their meat is hormone and antibiotic free and that they offer turkey,vegan veggie and organic bison.
The hubby of course ordered the manliest burger on the menu with bacon, cheese, and a side of fries. I opted for the turkey burger and took advantage of their “serve it on a salad” option! It came with a side of tazaki and it was delish!
At The Cheesecake Factory I love of their Skinnylicious menu. I’ve posted on it before and love so many items on there! A couple of my favorites are the asian tacos and the shrimp spring rolls. I ate all the tacos and shared the spring rolls with the hubs.
I get my weekly sushi fix from Whole Foods. I love that their California roll isn’t loaded with mayo or artificial crab. I always get the brown rice rolls and saw they introduced a brown rice/quinoa roll as well! While I appreciate the effort, I wasn’t really crazy about the quinoa on the roll. Now I tend to just stick to the brown rice rolls.
In LA last week we went to one of my favorite Italian lunch spots in Beverly Hills, Il Pastio. I LOVE grilled calamari and this salad was so yummy and filling! I skipped the bread and opted for a glass of Rose instead.
Out to mexican I usually start with a big order of seafood ceviche (and a SKINNY margarita of course). If I’m still hungry I will order a taco a la carte or steal some of the hubbies left overs 😉
Great post! It's so tempting to see going out to eat as a "treat" and to want to order everything on the menu that I'm craving. As I was reading I thought "sounds like Bethenny" because you skipped the bread and had wine instead, so it's funny that you mentioned that at the bottom!I generally like her rules.
😉 glad you're a fan of Bethennys book as well! Some of it I felt was a little extreme but I think she definitely had some great tips that have stuck for me! xo
Awesome, AWESOME post! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this all out for us. Super helpful. Have a great week! xoxo also, when ordering SKINNY margaritas.. what do you say to the waitress? Just skinny margarita and they know what you're talking about? Thank you again! XO
Meg
oh course Meghan! Nutrition is my first passion so I love doing these posts and love even more that you ladies are interested in it as well xo As for the skinny margi's most restaurants here have them on the menu but its basically just tequila, fresh lime juice and agave nectar.
Great tips, Andee! Going out is always hard to do while watching calories so thank you!
Shannon
clothesandquotes.blogspot.com
it definitely is! Glad this was helpful xo
Such great "real life" examples! And I read Bethanny's book too about how you can have it all, but not all at once…so true! And a good reminder.
😉 thanks hun! I read that book years ago but a lot of her tips really did stick!
We have The Counter here in the Bay Area and I love all their options. Big fan of the bison burger!
the bison burger is next on my list to try!
Always inspiring! xo
Style in the City
thanks hun xo
Thanks Andee!! Great tips!!! I was wondering, how do you handle the nutrition/food when you know your going out later with friends and there will be heavier drinking like wine?
Hi Lyn
I definitely have a meal (with some sort of carbs included) and try to stick only a glass (sometimes two) of wine so that I'm not over eating.
Hey!! I'm 34 weeks pregnant and all this food has made me hungry!! Thanks for the meal ideas! 🙂
Love this post! I wish we had all the fresh seafood option you all have in Cali. Everything looks so yummy, especially that fried calamarri salad!
http://scarlettmoonblog.blogspot.com/
Thanks for sharing all of these great restaurant options! I work for the American Heart Association and getting nutritional info on menus has been a huge area of success for us with many of the chain restaurants! We are working hard to get these on more menus!
xo, Alex
Vast Aspiration
oh thats awesome! I would love it if the nutrition facts were in every restaurant…it would make it some much easier for people to see just how much they are consuming! xo
Hi Andee – Your nutrition posts are always so helpful and inspiring!! Similar to a previous comment, I'm curious what your diet philosophy is on alcohol. Do you always try to make swaps like you mention I'm this post, do you try to limit alcohol over all? I have a slight obsession with red wine and love to wind down after my 20 month old son's bedtime with a glass (okay two), but I'm convinced this habit is a big factor in my recent 5 lb weight gain. Would love to hear how you typically balance these extra calories. Thanks! Meredith.
lol you know I would have a drink everyday night if I knew I wouldn't gain weight 😉 I typically don't drink on the weekdays and save my alcohol for the weekend. Usually a cocktail on friday and one on saturday. Just depends if were out with friends or just the hubs and the baby. If I'm with my family I am much better at just sticking to "one" cocktail. I pretty much only drink wine, champagne or a skinny margarita. I try to keep my drinks around 150 calories.
Like Meredith, we're wino's too! After our babe goes down, we love our wine as well but noticing a little….hmmm shall we say "puffiness". LOL!! Do we give it up or take away from our calories to make up for it? Would love your insight!!
lol you know I would have a drink everyday night if I knew I wouldn't gain weight 😉 I typically don't drink on the weekdays and save my alcohol for the weekend. Usually a cocktail on friday and one on saturday. Just depends if were out with friends or just the hubs and the baby. If I'm with my family I am much better at just sticking to "one" cocktail. I pretty much only drink wine, champagne or a skinny margarita. I try to keep my drinks around 150 calories.
All the food looks so yummy, would prefer it to junk food any day! Thanks for this post 🙂
Rebecca x
Ze Makeup Blog
😉 glad you feel the same way xo
We have The Counter not far from us and I've been meaning to check it out. I didn't realize it was as cool as it seems from your post. I'm going to try to drag the hubs there this weekend. I always try to get a turkey or chicken burger in place of beef and I almost never miss it. And if I am craving fries I get a side salad and a side of fries. Makes me happy every time. I have to confess, we went to the fair yesterday (I was performing a dance number) and I had a beer, three (!!!) slices of pizza AND half a cinnamon roll. ugh. My stomach hurt for hours. Not all at once is RIGHT, especially when you aren't used to eating like that.
exactly! It ok to splurge but I just try to not have it all at once 😉
I love The Counter! It is such a great way to get my burger fix in a healthy way! Il Pastaio however… that is my splurge spot! So delicious!
isn't The Counter great?! Perfect for when the hubby wants burger and fries so I can still have something healthy! 😉
great tips! I had my 2nd set of twins in December, and am trying to get back into more clean eating and making better choices! I just finished breastfeeding them, so my "excuses" are over! ~Jenn
http://www.twobytwomom.com
wow 2nd set of twins!! You're a rock star love!
Hi. I have just discovered your blog. I love it. This was a great post. It is good to see what you eat. I also really like the posts about what you wear and where you get the items. Thank you so much
;))) thanks love!
Andee this was a very helpful post! You have a very healthy and balanced view of food! Thanks for sharing!
thanks Veronica, so glad it was helpful!
Another great food post! I love reading all your nutrition posts 🙂 Trying the kale salad tonight with half the oil like you suggested – delish!
oh hope you like it! I made it again with half the oil and i didn't miss it! ;))
It was great! Definitely fine with half the oil, and my boyfriend even ate and very much enjoyed a big serving, despite being dubious 🙂
Great post! I am inspired to do better when I am out 🙂 As far as your Margaritas… how do you make ones at home skinny or when you're out how do you have them skinny? (I am assuming that restaurant had a skinny margi but thought maybe you had some idea how you like it when out and about or at home) Love me some margaritas!
most restaurants out here have them on the menu but just ask your server. Its basically tequila, fresh lime juice and agave nectar. Some restaurants use soda water (but i hate the way it tastes) so I usually just ask them for the lime juice and agave.
Yum! Everything looks so good and healthy!! What is a skinny margarita? Like, if I'm at a restaurant, how would I order it? Is it a pre-made mix, or a margarita with modifications?
most restaurants out here have them on the menu but just ask your server. Its basically tequila, fresh lime juice and agave nectar. Some restaurants use soda water (but i hate the way it tastes) so I usually just ask them for the lime juice and agave.
loved this post!!