topic Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food! in Community Chat

New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

Moonchilde — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:06:30 GMT

I’ve come to a point in my life where, due to a set of circumstances beyond my control, I eat about 8 bites of something (whatever it is) and am completely stuffed and can’t eat another bite. No, I have not had any type of stomach surgery.

I very much enjoy dining out (lunch), it’s one of life’s pleasures for me as a retiree. But now I’ll be out and about and when I go to have a meal, I’m not always in a position to go right home and stick a doggie bag in my fridge, so about half the time the rest of my “meal” (often just an appetizer) goes to waste and that bothers me. I occasionally think of putting blue ice and a soft cooler in my car before I go out, but that’s more pre-planning than I really want to do routinely, to be honest.

Any other “can only eat a few bites” people out there? I’m sure those who have had weight loss surgery have this issue. My stomach has just shrunk, but it wasn’t by artificial means.

What do you do in this situation, especially if it’s going to be so long before you get home that you’re afraid the food will go bad. They say, no more than an hour. I’ve stretched it slightly farther in cool weather, but wouldn’t stretch any more than that.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

cherry — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:09:50 GMT

Can you put a cooler in your car for left overs?

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

Carmie — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:16:13 GMT

I would just grab a bit to eat at home to hold me over until my errands were done. Then I would go for a late lunch.

Or carry a “ pack it”. You store the pack it in your freezer. When you need it, you just take it with you. It will keep your food cold and you do not have to bother with blue ice.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

september — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:18:29 GMT

I always have my Trader Joe's insulated bag in my trunk. If I think I might need to keep something cold for a while, I throw an ice pack into it before I go out.

Yes, restaurant portions are too big and most of us don't want to waste food. Just ask for a takeout container.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

homedecor1 — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:19:37 GMT

at the dollar store I bought one of those freezer bags (look like aluminum but some type of teflar material). The bag says "hot/cold" -- I keep this in my trunk in my organizer.

It does fine keeping things for a couple of hours (and I'm in FL). On hot days I keep in back seat vs trunk. No problems that I have experienced. I also have a nice cooler bag I bought I Publix (zippers & insulated $3.99) when it's super hot I use this one.

I never have to remember to bring it because they are always in my trunk.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

SharkE — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:20:37 GMT

order from the kid's menu

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

Moonchilde — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:21:58 GMT

wrote:
Can you put a cooler in your car for left overs?

@cherry I mentioned that in my OP. It’s the only thing I can think of to do, but honestly I don’t really want to put ice and a cooler in my car every time I go out. Some days it isn’t necessary, and I don’t always have my day and where/what I’m going to eat planned in advance - that kinda spoils any spontaneity involved.

I never thought I’d EVER have this problem, believe me! Not really complaining, but wish I wasn’t wasting food :-(

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

OKPrincess — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:23:34 GMT

I keep my lock and lock insulated tote in the car in case we make any stops on the way home and there are leftovers. We also keep WM insulated bags in the car too.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

Shanus — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:24:19 GMT

wrote:
I’ve come to a point in my life where, due to a set of circumstances beyond my control, I eat about 8 bites of something (whatever it is) and am completely stuffed and can’t eat another bite. No, I have not had any type of stomach surgery.

I very much enjoy dining out (lunch), it’s one of life’s pleasures for me as a retiree. But now I’ll be out and about and when I go to have a meal, I’m not always in a position to go right home and stick a doggie bag in my fridge, so about half the time the rest of my “meal” (often just an appetizer) goes to waste and that bothers me. I occasionally think of putting blue ice and a soft cooler in my car before I go out, but that’s more pre-planning than I really want to do routinely, to be honest.

Any other “can only eat a few bites” people out there? I’m sure those who have had weight loss surgery have this issue. My stomach has just shrunk, but it wasn’t by artificial means.

What do you do in this situation, especially if it’s going to be so long before you get home that you’re afraid the food will go bad. They say, no more than an hour. I’ve stretched it slightly farther in cool weather, but wouldn’t stretch any more than that.

@Moonchilde I often get hungry between meals and keep a few low carb, low fat protein bars in a ziplock bag in my purse. That tides me over so I don’t have to stop for a bite if not ready for a meal. Hope that helps.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

Moonchilde — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:25:46 GMT

wrote:
order from the kid's menu

Restaurants pretty much don’t allow that in my experience. And if they did, I don’t want a hot dog or boxed mac & cheese, the typical choices.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

cherry — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:26:57 GMT

I don't know what you can do other than take someone along, and split a meal

Some places won't let adults order from kids menus

It sounds like you have tried eating appetizers and that is still too much food

Actually,I will confess I'm a food waster. I never take leftovers home with me. I don't like reheats ,and most of the time I end up pitching the stuff out

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:30:38 GMT

@Moonchilde, I've never been a big eater (I've never eaten until "full'), but now in my 60s I too eat more like a bird. Once a week my husband and I go out to dinner. I usually eat far less than half my dinner (which for some reason irritates the hell out of my husband). I always bring leftovers home but some foods just don't do well the next day. I too hate to waste food. I really wish restaurants offered smaller portions. I would also like to see half loaves of bread offered at grocery stores. Many of we baby boomers are only feeding 1 or 2 people and hate to buy larger portions. I'll gladly pay more to get less just not to be wasteful.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

Fiero Woman — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:33:25 GMT

My friend and I are widows and do not have huge appetites. We eat out 2 to 3 times a week lunch/dinner. We order from the apatizer menu or ask for the childrens menu. We have also asked for half portions and everyone seems anxious to please. We have found it doesn't hurt to ask and you will be pleasently surprised. We visit Disney World monthly and they are happy to accommodate us. Try it.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

ValuSkr — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:34:05 GMT

I agree, many restaurants serve too much food. I'd rather have smaller portions, but better quality and presentation. Some restaurants actually do this, French or French-style I think.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

Big Sister — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:34:22 GMT

I had that same problem until I bought two insulated tote bags by Rachel Ray on Q. I keep them in my car and put any leftovers in one and they keep cold or hot while you are out.

I also use them to bring home frozen foods from the market. They hold quite a bit so it's no problem.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

In-x-s — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:36:25 GMT

wrote:
I’ve come to a point in my life where, due to a set of circumstances beyond my control, I eat about 8 bites of something (whatever it is) and am completely stuffed and can’t eat another bite. No, I have not had any type of stomach surgery.

I very much enjoy dining out (lunch), it’s one of life’s pleasures for me as a retiree. But now I’ll be out and about and when I go to have a meal, I’m not always in a position to go right home and stick a doggie bag in my fridge, so about half the time the rest of my “meal” (often just an appetizer) goes to waste and that bothers me. I occasionally think of putting blue ice and a soft cooler in my car before I go out, but that’s more pre-planning than I really want to do routinely, to be honest.

Any other “can only eat a few bites” people out there? I’m sure those who have had weight loss surgery have this issue. My stomach has just shrunk, but it wasn’t by artificial means.

What do you do in this situation, especially if it’s going to be so long before you get home that you’re afraid the food will go bad. They say, no more than an hour. I’ve stretched it slightly farther in cool weather, but wouldn’t stretch any more than that.

the problem is, if you don't put some time of frozen "ice" in the bag ahead of time you're putting warm/room temp food into the bag and holding it at that time in a cooler type bag. You need to chill it down to keep it for any length of time - unless, of course, it's a cold item that you're taking left-overs of.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

SharkE — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:38:02 GMT

Stay away from the buffets. They're not cheap even for seniors it can be like 12-15 apiece. Hubbo loads up on meat and desserts. Makes him mad because I love mashed potatoes and chicken wings and any kind of bread

"I'm not paying for you to go in and eat bread, onions and mashed potatoes" LOL

Buffets are for the really big eaters like Mama June and honey boo boo

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

Fiero Woman — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:38:04 GMT

Carabbas and Olive Garden offer small plates. They are wonderful.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

Moonchilde — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:38:57 GMT

@Carmie, I do often have late lunches or very early dinners.

I’ll have a liquid yogurt or something very small before I go out, but it’s not for hunger (I’m hardly ever hungry these days), it’s for my blood sugar. Like today, I had two glucose tabs in the car before I went shopping, just because I felt like I needed to and then I wouldn’t have to worry about it. Sometimes I don’t want to eat food before I go out because then I’d have even less lunch appetite.

Re: New (for me) Eating Out Issue - Too Much Food!

SharkE — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 02:41:55 GMT

I die laughing at the Olive Garden's tiny desserts. Like 2 thimbles of dessert in a tiny glass thimble. I got one Monday some kind of strawberry Italian thing and told hubbo " guess this won't ruin me". LOL Their portions are for the diet conscious set. When you order ravioli you get like 4-5 squares.

I like the bread , though, so, I let loose on the bread. LOL