I like to dine out, too much. So I avoid it when I can unless I have been to a place often enough to know what works for me and what doesn’t. For me diabetes is the prognosis of gluttony. Self control and moderation are the antidotes.
When I eat out I consider three C’s.
I count the calories. This is hard to do at restaurants. Often they will list a calorie count but if you are not aware of the technique or don’t want to know, you miss the fact that the condiments, side courses and bread are not included. Sometimes on sandwiches they give you the count on a dry sandwich. Give me a bowl of soup and skip the crackers.
I consider the cost. I am cheap. I have a hard time paying big bucks for something I could make at home for a fraction of the cost. At times it is socially necessary to eat out but it still hurts my pocketbook.
Does the food provide a sense of contentment? It is often surprising what does it. It requires experiment. My wife has a deli she likes. She will sometimes want to split a small pizza with me. I love pizza so I used to go along with that. The problem is that after eating half the pizza with an unknown, but high, calorie count I still wanted the other half. I found that a bowl of vegetable soup would leave me satisfied. It doesn’t make sense but it works for me. It is just a strategy of having her take the other half of the pizza home and getting her to feel that it wasn’t rejection of her.
So I make popcorn at home and I can get by with from 140 to 200 calories for a satisfying portion. My wife has two Oreo Cookies, 160 calories. I would need to finish the whole package with a lot of milk and still want more.
Find what works for you and let me follow my drummer.
homo unius libri
Such things may sound silly, but I know they're true.
ReplyDeleteAt least for me. I just had dinner with my brother. He is so involved socially and has such a large family that any of this would be impossible for him.
DeleteI hope the procedure went well yesterday.
Grace and peace.