Is it possible to go out to dinner and NOT consume 800-900 calories??

I have realized that going out to dinner -- even when making healthy food choices and limiting myself to no more than 1.5 glasses of wine -- is at least a 900 calorie hit. I could opt for a salad or soup, but anything else adds up quickly. And I'm not even talking about the fact that we have no idea how things are really prepared and whether or not there is extra fat or sauce hidden in a seamingly healthy recipe.

I have  logged an automatic 900 calorie estimate to my food intake to account for a business dinner tonight. I'll figure out the actual calories when I log my actual food intake. But if anyone has figured out how to eat reasonably at a restaurant without feeling deprived or having next to no food, let me know.

I try to go by portion-size and my usual 'rule' of filling half my plate with vegetables/salads before starting on anything else.  Asking for vegetables to be prepared without butter, dressing on the side, sauces served separately, move the bread basket away.... all the usual dodges.  Soups are a good way to take the edge off your appetite.  A glass of wine and lots of water.  And fortunately, I'm not a fan of desserts. Then again, I eat out so rarely that I don't worry too much about a few extra calories.  Treating it as a 'metabolism booster day' isn't a bad idea either.

It helps me if I eat at home before.  Sounds like a waste when you're going out, but I don't stuff myself, just healthy things at home to take the 'edge' off.

The worst thing I find, is other ppl practically shoving food on my plate, (my dau does this), or adamantly insisting I have some onion rings or whatever.  I resent it.  My willpower isn't that strong. 

Also, I try to leave things on my plate in a restaurant.  The servings (for dinner) are just too much food.  Sometimes I've gotten salad and ordered an appetizer as my entree.  No bread, trade the potato for green vegs.  I've never eaten salad dressing and always get lemon wedge for my salad.

good luck tonight.

I go to restaurants a lot and walk out eating about half of that.  How?  Because I save the alcohol for at home (not that I have a choice, anyway) and share the food with the boy.  If you can fill up on a salad and only eat half of your entree, do it.  Sharing food is a form of intimacy, too. :D

The biggest thing that helps me is trying to look up the nutritional facts before I ever enter the restaurant and already selecting my dinner option. Most bigger restaurants have a website with nutritional facts for all the menu options available. That way I know exactly what I'm putting in my mouth and I can plan ahead for that day. Also, if someone orders an appetizer, and you know the nutritional value ahead of time, it helps resist the temptation. I have found that even a lot of salads and soups can be deceiving, even if they sound healthy.

If that's not an option, i simply make up my own meal. Most restaurants don't mind, and the manager is able to price it for you. My favorite is salmon or chicken grilled in olive oil and two veggies they have available. Ask them to leave out the butter or anything with which they may normally season the item. 

Hi!  It's possible, but why would you want to do that :D

I see you're in Torino, I'm in a province of Arezzo!  When we go out to eat I figure it to be at least 2000 calories.  3000 calories in one sitting at weddings.  And that's a conservative estimate.

Salads in Italy are not-so-hot, it's not like going to The Cheesecake Factory or even Denny's and getting their monster salads.  But the soups in Italy are really good.  The idea occurred to me to get wine and an antipasto and a dessert, to keep the cals down.  But I'm not that strong.   Nancy