7 KEYS TO DINING OUT AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

Many patients tell us that the thought of dining out after weight loss surgery is daunting. It doesn’t have to be such a frightening activity. We hear questions all the time like “How can I maintain portion control when servings are so big,” “how can I watch out for hidden fats on the plate,” and most of all: “what if I get there and they don’t have anything healthy on the menu?” Not to fear, we have some answers for you and some terrific strategies to make dining out with your friends a fun experience again and not one that brings on cold sweats and dread.

• Influence the restaurant choice. Pick a spot that you know for certain has some healthy fare. Let’s see, which should you choose: Bonefish Grill or Sonny’s Barbecue? You get the point. If you have a favorite place but know that going there is only going to influence you to order something that simply won’t agree with you, then don’t mention it. Resist temptation and suggest somewhere else that’s more supportive of your new healthier lifestyle.
• Too big a portion? You’ve got options. Ever heard of sharing with a friend? If you can’t find the right person who shares your palette, ask for a box as soon as they deliver the meal. It’s not an uncommon request anymore. When your food arrives, immediately carve out your portion for the evening and pack up the rest of it for another day (or with some restaurants, a few days).
• Limit fats by speaking up. Don’t be shy. Ask the server to tell the chef to cook the vegetables without butter or to keep any dressings, sauces, toppings or other condiments on the side.
• Eat in priority order. Be sure to eat the protein on the plate and then vegetables, and only a small amount of any starchy foods on the plate if you still have room. By doing this, you ensure that your most needed and welcomed nutrients move to the front of the line.
• Just say no. Avoid ordering foods with the words “creamy” or “loaded” in the description. Most of all, don’t let others persuade you to have a drink or dessert if that’s not in your daily food game plan.
• Resist distraction. We know. This is by far the hardest of them all. When you’re at home eating a meal, it’s much easier to remind yourself to cut your food and eat slowly but when you’re out with friends, especially those you haven’t seen in a while, it’s easy to get caught up in laughter and conversation and before you know it, you look down and your plate is empty. Before you begin eating, make sure you cut your food so you at least ensure smaller bites and do your best to take pauses between bites. Stop to enjoy a little conversation by putting down your fork in between bites so your eating is not moving at as fast a pace as the evening’s chatter.
• Leave the experimenting at home. We saved the best for last. This is one of those tips you probably never even thought of before but think about it. Once you’ve undergone weight loss surgery, you’ll gradually resume eating more traditional (though smaller) meals. It is only through trial and error that you realize what foods now “agree” with your system and which do not. Do not use an opportunity to dine out with friends to spin the “Wheel of Who Knows” and gamble on a dish you have not tried since having surgery. It’s better to stick with foods you already know digest well or do not create any other issues such as gas pains or indigestion. Try out new dishes on your home turf.