The Restaurant

Your band is in place. It’s been there awhile and your body is adjusting just fine. You’ve managed to control your appetite, and the results are encouraging. Then one day you receive an invitation to dine out with friends. You may have resisted this invitation in the past, but now you feel ready. The real question now - is the restaurant ready for you?

We are not talking about fast food restaurants, which should be avoided whenever possible. A restaurant is not just about the food, it’s also about atmosphere. Such establishments are meant to be places where friends gather, so make sure to choose a restaurant with a comfortable interior.

Restaurants are notorious for serving large portions, often several times the amount that Bandsters should eat in one sitting. Fear not, there are several ways around this problem.

One idea might be to order something that you could divide in half – eat one half with your dinner companions and take the rest home with you. Another option might be to order from the kids’ menu, or just an appetizer; both come in manageable portion sizes.

Regardless of what is put down in front of you, how you eat it is just as important as what it is. When eating at a restaurant you have all the time in the world to enjoy your meal; you can chew slowly and enjoy the taste of the food and the company of your friends. Even though your companions may be drinking with their meals, as a Bandster you should remember not to drink during meal times. Should you feel full before your plate is empty, don’t worry. Just because you paid for the meal doesn’t mean you need to finish everything on your plate.

Dining out is a fun experience. There is no reason why a person trying to lose weight should have to forgo the pleasures of eating out. Losing weight is not about making yourself suffer, it’s about controlling your appetite in any situation. Visiting a restaurant can be a wonderful experience; don’t deny yourself the pleasure.