HELP! I'm going to a italian restaurant in an hour, what can I do to prevent overeating?

There's this Italian restaurant that I'm going to, and the food there is SO. GOOD. On the menu they have the typical, pizza, pasta, garlic bead. chicken marcella, chicken parmesan, and chicken francais. When I go there I usually get the chicken francais, and the portions are huge! It's a boat load of pasta and I think the chicken is around the size of 2 chicken breast halves.

Since it is not a chain restaurant, they don't have nutritional information on their website. I know to stay away from the garlic bread, but what else can I do to keep my meal in the range of 400-500 calories? Any help is appreciated!

1) soup is usually better

2) no bread or one small piece

3) order salad withotu dressing

4) when you get your pasta ask for a container to take it home in and put in about 2/3 of it, that way you get the taste but you don't over do it because it's human nature to eat what's in front of you :)

order sides of vegetables or fill up on salad so you dont overeat

avoid cream sauces like alfredo, stick with marinara usually

minestrome soup is rlly low cal btw =)

thanks! i don't think i can order both entree + soup without it costing extra. ill just drink lots of water. :P

one question though would the chicken francais, chicken marcella, or parmesan the best choice?

(francais is a lemony sauce, i think it has white wine in it too)

notttt marcella

parmasan or francais would be best

dont go when your starving

one thing i would recommend is to follow your intuition and have a good time.

Your probably going to be healthier is you enjoy your self.

Drink Water before you go. Better yet a small protein drink would be even better.

Water is the old standby

1. eat a big, plain salad before you go to fill you up.
2. drink lots of water while you're there.
3. don't eat the bread, or order an appetizer.
4. eat half of the meal and bring the other half home, or split it with someone.
5. don't order dessert.

I have learned to love minestrone soup. Pretty much all Italian restaurants have it, and a giant bowl is still soooo low in cals.

eat before you go