Everyday Systems

Restaurant plates seem bigger than the plates at home. And even when they are not bigger, they seem to load them to the max. I have tried eating half. But that doesn't always work. Any suggestions?

My daughter and I recently ate at a Greek restaurant. The portions were so large it was impossible to even think about eating all of it. When they boxed up what I left, it required 2 boxes! It fed me 2 meals at home.

Keep trying! And, as soon as your meal is served, ask the server to immediately box up half of it to take home.

I agree with boxing up before you start. If I know a restaurant has large portions, I always ask for a box right away. Out of sight, out of mind. My favorite way to use this trick is breakfast. I love pancakes, omelets, fried potatoes, whatever but it is very easy to eat more than a thousand calories with a breakfast like that. I order what I want and ask for a to go container right away. I eat about a third of the omelet and potatoes and one pancake. I take the rest home. I find that it reheats really well. So I get breakfast out for 2 days instead of one. Win, win. Good luck.

The simplest, cheapest solution is: avoid eating in restaurants on a frequent, routine basis. If it's not routine, then it doesn't really matter.

If for some compelling reason you do have to eat in restaurants routinely, these advanced techniques sound good.

Reinhard

In addition to what everyone else has said, try ordering a lunch item or appetizer as a dinner main course. I find a restaurant sandwich and side typically fills me for dinner. Or often I'll find an appetizer that looks so good i could eat it as a whole meal. Bonus: these tend to be cheaper than a full meal, too.

Option if you have no pride (or shame): say you're over 55 and order from the senior's menu.

Another option is to split an entree with your spouse or a friend. It saves you both money and you don't have to worry about leftovers. Just be sure to take someone along who has the same taste in food, then order one meal and an extra plate!