Does Restaurant Eating Encourage Binging?

I eat out at restaurants a lot. I can tell you that this definitely equal overeating for me. I eat what's given to me, no matter the size of the portion. And I hate taking home leftovers. So, there you have it.

I'm the opposite...I eat at restaurants a lot too but usually I get 2-3 meals out of what I order (unless I get a salad or something, that's hard to take home). So I think it does depend on the person. I LOST weight eating at restaurants but then again I'm weird...

I've found that being conscious of my resteraunt eating helps a lot. If I'm not thinking about it, I can eat WAY more than 250 extra calories. But if I stay conscious I can usually eat an appropriate amount either by ordering lighter items or by only eating 1/2 to 2/3 of something richer and more decadent.

It all depends but not on the restaurants, unless they ask you if you want to ‘super size it’. There is one exception though - people who life in Philadelphia might have a problem with overeating.

Have you ever been at Barclay Prime?

I have had luck lately by ordering two appetizers as a meal, instead of a full entree. You get lots of yumminess and a much smaller portion. Cheaper too!

I def. overeat if it is a la carte. Even if I ask that half my order be put in a doggie bag beforehand, half an order can be more than I usually eat at home. At buffets I can control myself and get the same amount I eat home.

For me, the problem is the hidden ingredients in the dish, not necessarily the portion size. Everyone can see what is put before them and say, "1/2 of this meal is my proper portion size" and take the rest home. I find that it is more difficult to eat at restaurants because even when ordering healthy foods, they often are cooked in an unhealthy manner. I.e., grilled fish coupled with butter or grilled veggies doused in olive oil. It's one thing to tell a waiter that you want your salad dressing on the side; it's another to suggest a healthier way for the chef to prepare your meal. I'm finding that it is safer to stick with a salad where I can pick what goes in and what doesn't.

I've learned to be very specific with instructions and questions at resturants. Most places where I go seem interested in providing what the patrons want. If they aren't, I don't go back.

I barely ever eat out and this is sort of why. I am extremely picky about the preparation of my food and where it's coming from. Restaurants can turn any healthy-looking food into a complete disaster. Most veggies are cooked in butter, oil, extra salt....you name it. The ONLY restaurants I like are Applebee's (because they have the WW points section so you know how many calories you're getting) and buffet restaurants with salad bars. That way, I can pick and choose what I want and not overdo it.

Well, duh! The meals I cook at home are far healthier than anything I can get in a restaurant. Even the "healthy" choices at restaurants have far more calories than I'd consume at home.

Some people "save up" their calories for when they eat out. The Weight Watchers points plan implicitly encourages this attitude.

Also, socialising is a huge influence on eating habits. You're more likely to have dessert or alcohol when other people eat dessert or drink alcohol. You're also distracted by conversation and enjoyment of the people around you which means that you aren't always consciously aware of what you are eating.

I think we all want our money's worth. We aren't thinking of the scale. It is all about "value" and the all-mighty dollar.

The portions are bigger and the brain gets confused that it's a right portion.